A US mum has received an overwhelming wave of love and support this week, after sharing an emotional insight into life with her daughter with ADHD.
Taylor Myers is used to the struggle that is grocery shopping with four-year-old Sophie. Indeed, in a candid Facebook post, she revealed that she has often walked out of the store without a single item, due to the frustration of an outburst or argument.
But, as Sophie ‘whined’ over the bag of chips she wasn’t allowed to buy, Taylor knew she needed to stay strong this time. That’s when it happened.
“I tell her for the tenth time to sit down so she doesn’t fall, and the next thing I hear is a woman behind me in line saying, ‘Oh, for Christ’s sake, give her a cookie so she’ll shut up!’” she recalled.
Shaken but resolute, Taylor – who admits she could have ‘responded in a nicer way’ – took a stern line.
“I heard, ‘She’s four years old and you need to mind your own f***ing business’ come out of my mouth.”
While she may have appeared all-powerful in that moment, Taylor felt the tears roll as she began putting her items through the scanner.
“I kept my composure until I finished what I was doing and walked to the self-checkout so I could avoid facing anyone else as ‘that person’. The person with the misbehaving child.
“By the time I made it to the self-checkout, tears are pouring down my face. I’ve lost it. I’m angry, my feelings are hurt, I’m offended, and I’m just freakin’ sad that I can’t have one good experience in a store with my children.”
It was at this point that Taylor’s faith in humanity was restored. A kind woman walked up to Sophie as Taylor scanned her groceries, and handled the situation beautifully.
Not only did this kind stranger know exactly how to deal with Sophie, but she also backed Taylor up – which is what every mum needs in these low moments.
“She asks her questions to distract her, but backs me up when Sophie begins to go on about wanting the chips: ‘No, you can’t have those today. You have to be good for your mummy. She needs you to be good for her.’”
The kindness and compassion this kind woman showed changed everything for Taylor and her daughter. Her simple act made a horrible experience a little better, and reminded Taylor to focus on the positives.
“It only takes one comment to break someone down. You never know what someone’s going through. You never know the problems a child has that causes them to misbehave, and unless you know the struggle of being a parent to a child like mine, you cannot judge me,” she wrote.
And while one comment may be able to reduce you to tears, Taylor observed that ‘one small act of kindness can make a mum feel comfort and validation’.
“Mamas have to stick together,” she finally said, thanking the kind stranger for turning her day around.
Taylor’s post has gone completely viral, as fellow parents in her shoes shared words of comfort as well as their own experiences.
“Don’t let it get you down! Happened to me last year. I went off on a b**ch! You’re a great mum! It’s OK she’s like that! Love you,” wrote one supportive mum.
“I go through the same thing with my four-year-old,” added another. “I thought I was the only one.”
We love Taylor for sharing this post. It just goes to show that we really are in this together, and a little kindness can go a long way.
