'Burst into tears': Comment from an old man to a struggling mum that made her immediately cry
There's nothing quite like the kindness of a stranger when you're having a tough day as a mum to turn you into an emotional wreck.
One mum has shared a beautiful story on Reddit and revealed that one comment from an old man during her daughter's tantrum made her burst into tears.
The woman explained her husband is out of town for work so it's just her and her daughters, ages three and one, and "it's been rough."
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Any parent who has wrestled a screaming toddler into a car seat knows how stressful it can be. Getty
"Today in the Home Depot parking lot, my VERY strong willed three-year-old decided she didn't want to sit down in her car seat," she wrote.
"Meanwhile there's an older man that comes and gets in the car next to us and is waiting for me to close the door until he pulls out. I'm telling my daughter that someone is waiting and am pleading with her at this point to get in her seat. I get stern with her which makes her cry and need a hug."
Then her daughter finally got into the car seat and she was able to close the door.
"The man had his window down the whole time and I was so embarrassed and felt defeated and he quickly said, 'You're such a good mom!' which shocked me after realising he had just witnessed me having a fight with my toddler," the post continued.
"I said, 'I sure don't feel like it,' and he said, 'I know but you are!' I just said thank you and drove away but freaking burst into tears on the drive home.
"On a day when I have just been struggling so hard, it was that small interaction from a stranger that meant so so much. If you ever feel obliged to say something sweet to a mom, just do it. You never know how she might be struggling and it just might make her whole day."
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The surprisingly kind words from the man made her burst into tears on her way home. Getty
There were plenty of mums who resonated with the story and a lot who had been in that same position before.
"This has me crying! I have been in that same situation and I wish someone had said that to me. How kind of him," replied one mum.
Another mum commented: " I took my 7 month old on a flight this past week. The lady sitting next to us told me I was a good mum. It was an incredible feeling. You're rocking it! Don't doubt yourself."
It shows a little bit of kindness from a stranger can mean the world to a mum who's feeling like she's drowning.
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