That Time She Shared Her Kids With A Stranger...
As mothers, one of the challenges we often face is protecting our children from unwanted attention from strangers. Even people who mean well can sometimes overstep the boundaries of your comfort zone when it comes to interacting with your children. But let me share with you a story of one young mother of twins who dared to let her guard down in a moment of compassion for a fellow human being and shared her children with a complete stranger.
The following story was posted on a friend's social media account and I have obtained special permission from her to share it with you today.
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I took the twins to Walmart today for our weekly grocery shopping. An older woman approached me in the cereal aisle, and I instantly sighed in annoyance because I knew the "typical twin questions" were about to start pouring out of her mouth. When I go out in public, I always plan for an additional 20 minutes just for answering questions about twins, and frankly it's become tedious. She neared my cart and stopped. "Here we go again" I thought. She asked all the typical things, told me how sweet they were, and continued to babble on with the boys. I was antsy, and just ready to go. I turned to look down the aisle hoping she would take the hint that I was ready to leave, and as I did she put her hand on top of mine that was resting on the cart. "I know you probably hate this and I'm sorry to take up so much of your time. You see, I lost my only grandchild last year, and about the only time I see kids his age is when I do my grocery shopping" she said. Suddenly, time didn't matter. "Well we are about to go look at the fish, you wanna follow us over there and watch them play for a bit?" Her eyes lit up; "I would love that." We went over and I got the boys out. She spent about 15 minutes watching them bounce around and scream out "FISHY FISHY FISHY" when finally she looked over to me and said "you dont know what I would give to be able to hear my grandson laugh one last time." I couldn't find any words, so I stood in silence grieving for her. "May I hug your boys?" I nodded. "Thank you so much for giving me your time, I know your hands are full" she said. "No really, it was my pleasure." She bent down to hug Darrio, my not as friendly twin, and he reached his arms out and said "LUH YOU." She hugged Dheigo and then hugged me, and said "I love all 3 of you too" and headed toward the check out.
Do you know what my point is? My point is how quickly my attitude changed once I connected with her as another human being with feelings.
That woman taking too long in the drop off line in the morning? What if her child has to go to his dads for the weekend and she wont get another hug for 3 long days.
The man driving slow when your in a rush to work? What if hes going slow because he knows he is going to be laid off and is worried about his future.
That annoying little kid down the road who always bangs on your door? What if he doesn't get attention at home and just wants a friend.
It made me wonder; how much nicer would we all be if we knew one another's struggles?
Raise damn good humans.
-Landra January
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So, while we all certainly need to practice wisdom in who we allow to interact with our children, perhaps we can occasionally remember the world is bigger than the boundaries of our own little families. Humans need connections with one another to find purpose and meaning. And sometimes, when the time is appropriate, it is okay to let someone new connect with you and your children.
The following story was posted on a friend's social media account and I have obtained special permission from her to share it with you today.
======================================================================
I took the twins to Walmart today for our weekly grocery shopping. An older woman approached me in the cereal aisle, and I instantly sighed in annoyance because I knew the "typical twin questions" were about to start pouring out of her mouth. When I go out in public, I always plan for an additional 20 minutes just for answering questions about twins, and frankly it's become tedious. She neared my cart and stopped. "Here we go again" I thought. She asked all the typical things, told me how sweet they were, and continued to babble on with the boys. I was antsy, and just ready to go. I turned to look down the aisle hoping she would take the hint that I was ready to leave, and as I did she put her hand on top of mine that was resting on the cart. "I know you probably hate this and I'm sorry to take up so much of your time. You see, I lost my only grandchild last year, and about the only time I see kids his age is when I do my grocery shopping" she said. Suddenly, time didn't matter. "Well we are about to go look at the fish, you wanna follow us over there and watch them play for a bit?" Her eyes lit up; "I would love that." We went over and I got the boys out. She spent about 15 minutes watching them bounce around and scream out "FISHY FISHY FISHY" when finally she looked over to me and said "you dont know what I would give to be able to hear my grandson laugh one last time." I couldn't find any words, so I stood in silence grieving for her. "May I hug your boys?" I nodded. "Thank you so much for giving me your time, I know your hands are full" she said. "No really, it was my pleasure." She bent down to hug Darrio, my not as friendly twin, and he reached his arms out and said "LUH YOU." She hugged Dheigo and then hugged me, and said "I love all 3 of you too" and headed toward the check out.
Do you know what my point is? My point is how quickly my attitude changed once I connected with her as another human being with feelings.
That woman taking too long in the drop off line in the morning? What if her child has to go to his dads for the weekend and she wont get another hug for 3 long days.
The man driving slow when your in a rush to work? What if hes going slow because he knows he is going to be laid off and is worried about his future.
That annoying little kid down the road who always bangs on your door? What if he doesn't get attention at home and just wants a friend.
It made me wonder; how much nicer would we all be if we knew one another's struggles?
Raise damn good humans.
-Landra January
=========================================================================
So, while we all certainly need to practice wisdom in who we allow to interact with our children, perhaps we can occasionally remember the world is bigger than the boundaries of our own little families. Humans need connections with one another to find purpose and meaning. And sometimes, when the time is appropriate, it is okay to let someone new connect with you and your children.
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