A couple weeks ago, I made it through another harried hour at church (though this time was much better, thanks to another family in our congregation and their son’s help in entertaining Hayden). It was probably the first time I was alone with the kids in public, as Ryan sits on the stand at the front of the congregation.
As I was gathering up the toys and the baby at the end of the hour, the young couple sitting behind me leaned over the pew.
“You are such a wonderful mother!” said the wife.
And as soon as she said that, tears began to sting my eyes. Her husband joined in her praise.
Believe me, I thanked them, and I’m still thanking them.
It’s amazing what a simple act of kindness like that can do for a mother—her sense of self-worth, her happiness and her fulfillment.
So this week, go out and give a kind word to another mother—in your neighborhood, at church, through email or in the blogosphere. Tell her she’s doing something right—and if you can’t think of anything, here are five things moms do right.
Who knows? Even if you don’t receive a similar gesture, it might just make you feel better about yourself as a mother!
5 replies on “A kind word”
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I agree with you! We as moms need to support each other and encourage each other any chance we get. No one is born knowing how to “mother” and its different for every mother and every child. I have tried to make a conscious effort to encourage my new-mommy friends and even strangers and always compliment something they are doing. I remember how awful I felt those first several weeks and months of my motherhood because I didnt know what I was doing or if I was doing it right, etc… I just know how much it would have helped me to hear an encouraging and supportive, loving word from someone! Right on!!
How wonderful; and at the end of the craziness that is church makes it even better.
I’ve found it’s actually quite enjoyable to just say the nice things that pop into my head, even if I’m talking to total strangers. I use to think things like, “She has beautiful hair. I should say so…nooo, she’d probably be weirded out by a complete stranger admiring her hair.” But then somebody said something nice to me and it felt great. So I thought, “Why the heck not say those things? It’s not going to hurt anybody. Odds are they’re not going to get mad about it.”
It’s so fun to see comments so happily received. Lifts their day and mine. I still rarely say all the things that come into my head, but here’s a push to work on it. Thanks:)
I’m going to do just that, thanks for the reminder. It is amazing how those things just breathe life into us.
beautiful story, Jordan! I know you’re a wonderful Mommy! 🙂
This exact same thing happened to me (and I can empathize because I sit with my kids while my husband is on the stand too). I had no idea I would put such value on some one else’s commentary about my parenting! And, most days I’m not the greatest mom in church. I’m embarrassed to say there have been a few Sundays of ear pulling and bribes!!
One time a complete stranger said that to me, “you’re a wonderful mom” and I cried right there in front of her. “Do you REALLY think so?”…..
Why is it that we crave this feedback?
I’ve learned to just speak my compliments aloud whether it be to strangers or friends. People have responded in such amazing ways that I’m going to keep doing it!!