My 3-year-old threw himself on the floor next to the check-out counter, screaming himself hoarse. He'd been in one of his rage moods all day, and we were both just...
done.
I couldn't fight him anymore. And in his dysregulated state, he couldn't process anything I said. No amount of encouragement, comfort, or reason could get through. (Turns out, he's neurospicy, but we didn't know it at the time.)
So I sighed in exhaustion and defeat, stepped over him, and put my groceries on the conveyer belt.
I felt people's judgement as they glared.
Bad mom.
Can't you control your kid?
I'd never let MY kid behave that way in public.
Then an older woman left her cart full of groceries and came up to me.
"You're doing a good job," she said. "It'll be
okay."
Whoa...
Her compassion, grace, and lack of judgement were a salve to my soul.
It gave me the strength to find an extra reserve of patience with my struggling son. And an extra measure of grace with myself.
Her compliment turned an unmanageable day into one I could handle.
I'll never forget it.
So be generous with your compliments They are free to you, but completely invaluable to the people who receive them.
And while you're at it, be generous with the compliments you give YOURSELF. You need them, especially when you're struggling and doubting yourself.
