Oh boy, my heart dropped.
When my friend waved me over to the play area, her expression said it all. I spotted my just-turned-2-year-old, her little head drooping beside your son, who was a hot mess of bright red cheeks and tears streaming down his face. The chaos of the playground surrounded us, and you hadn’t even noticed the ruckus my little one caused yet. My pulse raced, and every instinct as a mom kicked in—I wanted to scoop up your little boy and find you immediately.
I attempted to comfort him as I scanned the crowd of mothers, praying his cheeks would lose some of that fiery color before we made eye contact. But when our eyes finally met, you swooped in and wrapped him in your arms, showing him love and care. You didn’t cast a judgmental glance my way—even though I wouldn’t have blamed you if you did.
My heart sank further as I realized your child was scared and in pain. It was clear that his fun morning was likely over.
My mind raced through a million thoughts. My sweet girl, who usually showers everyone with affection, can switch gears in an instant. Those gentle hugs can morph into tight squeezes, cheek rubs can turn into pinches, and hand-holding can easily transition into shoves.
Sure, I could chalk it up to the tantrum-filled stage of the terrible twos, but that didn’t make me feel any better. I could question where I went wrong, especially since this wasn’t her first time acting out. I could analyze it to death, convincing myself that it’s all part of the journey. Honestly, I just wished it hadn’t happened at all.
My friends quickly rallied around me, offering to watch my other daughter while I took mine aside for a time-out. For two long minutes, I held my toddler, explaining how sad her actions made Mommy and your little boy. I told her we were leaving after this timeout because hurting others is simply not okay.
Even though she’s still a bit clueless about how her actions have consequences, she’s definitely at an age where she needs to understand that what she did was wrong.
Being a parent is no easy feat. My friend texted me afterward, reminding me that it’s easy to be a bad parent, but being a good one is often far more challenging. On days like today, I wish I had my own version of “What to Expect: The Toddler Years.”
But amidst my tears, I’m incredibly thankful for you, fellow mama. Some days leave us feeling utterly helpless, questioning our choices and replaying scenarios in our heads. We wonder what we could have done differently and hope that everyone we meet understands.
Today, you showed that understanding. You maintained your composure, refraining from judging my occasionally wild toddler. You recognized that neither of us wanted to be in this situation, and you made it easier for both of us.
You displayed incredible grace when the realities of parenting hit hard. Thank you for being on my side this morning, despite how tough it was. You reminded this seasoned mom of four that our kids are just human, and mistakes are bound to happen. I only hope that we both come out of these experiences a little stronger.