Do you think I helped?

[AntoninBeGonin]

All this talk about trying to show the world our GD ways in a non-judgmental way (yay! ) and now I have a story to share.

Dh works at the hospital and I take our toddler (16 months) to visit him every night. Tonight we were walking down a hallway when we heard "shh! shhhhh! quiet!" etc.. It was a mother telling her kids they were too loud. We were in the middle part of the hallway, and they had just entered. Anyhow, the kids were adorable, and I couldn't help but saying, "What a happy family!" The mom gave me a beaming smile (like this ) and the kids continued to be chatty little kids.

So what do you all think? It never even occured to me until later, but maybe I was able to light a spark in that mother that tells her not all people are judging her harshly by how her children act in public. Just a thought.

~Nay

[crunchy_mama]

I think so! I think every positive action we can do is worth doing. I think a lot of times overly protective parenting comes from a lack of self esteem. Also, no telling what kind of day she was having- who knows why she was there, you probably made her day.

[Wugmama]

I also think so! That was cool!

~Tracy

[annab]

I love it!

I try to do this too, especially at preschool. One of the moms really worries about how her daughter and her parenting are perceived. Her daughter is VERY spirited, immature and has issues with controlling herself. But she is a wonderful, wild little girl. When I see the mom get anxious, I try to say things like, "I love her enthusiasm" or something to that effect.

Last year this mom suggested that with my son, I pinch his shoulder 'just hard enough to hurt a little' to get his attention. It is a coop preschool, so we all work with each other's kids. I said, "You know what I try to do in the classroom is kneel down to their level and if they are having trouble focusing, I either touch their elbow or hold their hand. Not in a restraint at all, but just to let them know they have my attention."

She came back a few days and later and raved about how it had worked at home.

I think ANY encouragement we can give to other mamas makes a difference. My favorite to throw out to strangers is, "You have great patience! You must have a wonderful relationship with your kids."