Motherhood is hard, we all know that. I don’t know about you, but I am always seeking validation that I am doing something right whether it is relating to a meme or blog post. Let me tell you, nothing beats a good old “you’re doing a great job” especially from a stranger that sees you from the other side of the window.
..That stranger that sees you struggling to try and grocery shop while taming a screaming child.
..That stranger who is watching you sing Baby Shark for the 746th time with your little one in the car.
..That stranger who sees you arguing with your toddler that it is time to leave the playground after being there for 6 hours.
..That stranger that sees you trying to cover up in a public place just so you can breastfeed your baby.
Last summer after I picked my son up from daycare, I came back to my car with a note on my windshield. What I read made my blood boil.
Let me set the scene for you, I was in the daycare parking lot that had construction going on and all parents had no choice but to parallel park all along the side. We also had to walk quite a way to the daycare to get pick up our children, and on a 95-degree day it wasn’t the most pleasant stroll. Pick up time can be a little hectic and parking was limited but I managed to parallel park my Subaru sedan between two SUVs. After convincing Franco that it was finally time to go home and saying goodbye to the same people 17 times, we made it to the car.
I take the note off my windshield and it read:
“Next time don’t park so close to me! I couldn’t get my double stroller out of the trunk!”
I couldn’t believe what I read. A fellow mother whose child that goes to the same daycare as mine left this note on my car. She left this note even though there was construction going on in the parking lot and parking was difficult to begin with. She left this note knowing we will cross paths again since we drop off and pick up our kids the same time every day.
I was so hurt and felt so defeated. Did leaving this note on my car make this mother feel better about herself? Maybe she was having a bad day too and she had to take out her frustration on someone?
We are all mothers though and motherhood is hard.
After this experience I thought long and hard how to make a positive change out of this situation.
Instead of leaving nasty notes on our car, why don’t we leave positive messages?
I made compliment cards and I randomly leave them in places where mothers will find them. I leave them on restaurant tables, in a library book, on windshields, in a Target shopping basket, a picnic table at the playground, the list goes on! Not only does it make the person who is receiving them feel good, but it makes me feel amazing. Little acts of kindness can go such a long way, especially when we are navigating motherhood.
I have created this free printable for you so can you print your own compliment cards at home and leave one everywhere ever you go!
Motherhood is hard, and you are going an amazing job. Pass it on.
This is such a great post, thank you so much for sharing. What a fantastic idea, and great way to turn a frustrating situation around!
thank you! I didn’t want to hold a grudge so I had to be proactive about it.
I love this so much! Yes life is hard enough these little compliment cards are sure to make someone’s day.
Thank you! It’s the little things!
You are amazing! And you’re doing great mama!! This honestly made me emotional it’s frustrating how rude or thoughtless some people can be. Thank you for inspiring kindness and love, the world needs more people like you❤️
Aw thank you! We are all doing our best!
I absolutely love this and will definitely be using them. Thanks so much for spreading kindness and staying positive!!
Thank you! We could all use some encouragement!
This is such a nice gesture, I love it! Thanks for bringing back the kindness, compassion, and empathy. Because Mama, we all need it every now and then!
Thank you! I agree, we could all use some positive encouragement every once in a while!
These are so cute! I love this idea! I definitely agree that moms should be lifting each other up. I once had a woman scream at me (her car was parked next to mine) as I was putting my son in his car seat and she couldn’t pull out because my car door was open. I didn’t say anything in response, but I thought, “Yeah, because my goal in this moment is preventing you from leaving, not, you know, making sure my son is safe while he’s in the car.” People are frustrating sometimes! This can help!
I don’t understand what people think by saying stuff like that! It’s hurtful more than anything, we are doing our best!
I’m sorry you were on the receiving end of someone’s frustration ? I love that you took the opportunity to spread kindness instead. Absolutely love this and pinned for when in near a printer ?
Thank you! I am glad you that you will get to use these in the future!