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Parenting

28th Jun 2017

A stranger’s kindness meant the whole world to this mum

This woman knew exactly what to do.

Louise Carroll

Adrian Wood, mum to little 3-year-old Amos was out enjoying lunch with her tot – but it was bang smack in the middle of the potty training stage.

Little Amos also has autism so he had just finished up his third day of potty training camp. Mum was already feeling concerned about Amos as she says in her Facebook post that she could tell that the therapists he had just been with, were pondering over whether her baba would catch on.


Amos who was bursting with energy, as most little ones are, took to moseying around the café they were eating in, as he decided he’d do some exploring while mum ordered food. Just as Adrian sat down she had the waitress asking her if she spilt a drink. Instantly she noticed Amos stirring around in his drenched little pants.

Obviously, our little ones need time to learn and accidents do happen, nonetheless it’s not always the case where parents are met with the most understanding of people in circumstances such as these. Too many parents expect the worst and it can cause needless extra stress and embarrassment.

However this mum experienced an all-round positive approach from the understanding staff member and was so grateful when the aura of the room remained calm – after all there was really nothing wrong, yet many would have found it awkward. The woman working there turned out to not only be laid-back about the puddle on the floor but also offered assistance to mum.

Adrian wrote,

“She paused and smiled and said she understood, that she had a two-year-old, and that he would get it, it may just take a little extra time. She gathered up paper towels and when I went to take them from her, she refused. I’m happy to do it, she said and she did, wiping down the chair and floor and then finding a plastic bag for his dripping blankie that was caught in the crossfire.”

The woman also chatted calmly to Amos, making sure he knew everything was absolutely fine. It helped that she was a mum herself of course. It goes to show how much it means to a person when we give a helping hand and never engage in judging them.

“It was such a gift, that gesture. It was more than the simple acceptance of a puddle of urine in a sandwich shop. There was no judgement behind the observation, no raised eyebrow, no silent stare, only kindness.”

Incase anyone was wondering, mum’s post below just proves potty training is no easy feat but like Amos, they’ll get there in the end. And no doubt, the kind comments this mama received on her Facebook post above just proves we aren’t the only ones who love and appreciate mums.