Thursday, September 30, 2010

The art of reaching out...

Today's post kinda goes along with yesterday's.

I had a great visit with Alise in the morning then I went to the grocery store.  I like going to the store during school hours because Wesley isn't with me...I love him dearly, but storing is so much easier without him!  He has been known to knock the cart completely over if he gets upset enough...and this is from inside it!  I don't let him walk in the store EVER!!  He's a big guy and strong as an ox!  All that being said, I am quite used to tantrums in the store and the looks that I get because of them.

I am about a quarter of the way through the store and start hearing shrieks...actually, I was on the phone with my husband and he asked if I had Wesley with me!  :-)  Anyway, I go on with what I am doing but I start over hearing a few people talking about this child screaming.  I'm starting to feel really bad for this mom now.  I know what she's going through.  We happen to be in the same aisle at one point and she actually apologized to me.  I continued going, but all the while thinking about this poor mom.  I decide to seek her out...it wasn't hard to find them, this poor little girl was still screaming.  Mom was really trying to keep it together and get her shopping done, but it was obvious that her nerves were frayed.

Now, before I go on, I would like everyone to understand that this is completely OUT of my comfort zone.  I do NOT do this, EVER!  The reason I felt that I must was because of one lady.  I was dealing with a tantrum in a restaurant one day and she came over to me and hugged me and told me that I was doing a wonderful job.  I will always remember that...when everyone else was looking at me in judgement, she had a kind word to say.

So, I go up to her and immediately tears start streaming down my face while I am trying to let her know that I am not crazy and I just wanted her to know that I know what she's going through.  I explain to her that I have a son with autism and we deal with tantrums on a regular basis.  While standing there talking to her, the little girl doesn't utter a peep.  :-)  She was seriously looking at me like I was completely mad!  So, I said something to her and Mom said that she's getting it a lot lately because they are new to town.  *Ding, Ding*  Light bulb goes off over my head!  I invited her to MOPS!  Genius!

MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers)  is awesome!  We meet twice a month and give moms a change to have some great adult conversations!  I think she was really pleased with this idea.  I just remembered that I forgot to tell her what time!  Eek!  :-)

You know, I didn't hear that little girl screaming again.  :-)

So, how would you have dealt with this situation?  Would you have went on with your day not giving her another thought?  Would you have been someone who thought that what that child needed was a good spanking?  When have you been in this same position?

7 comments:

  1. Great entry. I would have likely gone up and encouraged the mom, but definitely one of those people who gets all up in people's faces! ;-D Like you, I remember those moments when people encouraged me. No autism, but when you've got a truck-load of little kids, there's plenty of opportunity for a fit and it was nice when people were kind rather than judgmental.

    And great job inviting her to MOPS! Like I was telling you yesterday, my mom's group probably saved my life back in the day. I hope she takes you up on your offer!

    Have a fantastic day!

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  2. Misty YOU ROCK!!! What a lovely way to handle the situation. Much better than the person who called security on us and said we were abusing our child. sheesh and to drop an invite to MOPS at the same time!! You are just an awesome lady and mom!
    God bless
    Heather L

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  3. Amazing job Misty! You allowed God to use you to bless someone else. It's all about obedience to Him and then the blessings flow! Way to go!
    Hugs to you.
    Pam

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  4. Hi Misty...thanks for visiting my blog, www.hillaryathome.com! I'm following you back...hope you have a great weekend! :)

    This is a great post...I'm ashamed to admit I probably would have walked on rolling my eyes at the screaming kid in the store...even though I know I'v been there before. Ya know, it makes you stop and think for a moment. Who knows what this woman or child had been through that day? Kudos to you for reaching out...hopefully this domino effect will continue! :)

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  5. That's so awesome! Hope you both can build a deeper, encouraging relationship -- I love my MOPS group too! =)

    Following back!

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  6. You did exactly right, and I would have appreciated you. :)

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