No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ~Aesop
So much of the early years at home with my children is a blur: lacking sleep, caring for young children 24/7, and suffering from post-partum depression contributed to the haze. But a couple of things I do remember clearly: one time, out of the blue, my oldest sister gave me and my husband a gift certificate to a restaurant and a promise to babysit for the night. Another is when we moved to a new town and a neighbor, whom I did not know well at all, gave me a delicious chicken dinner a week after my daughter was born. These random acts of kindness were amazing to me and so much appreciated.
If it’s possible, maybe you can bestow a random act of kindness on a new or struggling mom you know on this Mother’s Day. It doesn’t have to be as elaborate as a night out on the town or as complete as a whole dinner; maybe just some flowers, a promise of one hour of babysitting so she can grocery shop all by herself (what a treat!), or maybe a healthful desert like a fruit salad. I guarantee she will never forget it. And the added benefit? The good feeling you get by helping someone else will be a Mother’s Day gift to yourself!
by Claire Gawinowicz
Certified Parenting Educator
