It's half-term time!
Whilst walking around my neighbourhood today I passed a couple of harassed mothers trying to calm and reason with their children. I wanted to help them out and wondered how I could.
As I passed one mother who was having a particularly trying time I found myself saying “Well done, you’re doing a great job!” Her face relaxed, she gave me a warm smile and her little boy, in surprise, stopped squawking!
I’m finding if we can overcome our own hesitancy we can help people around us. I’ve found this works when standing in a queue at the post office or at the supermarket – engaging with young children who’re getting fractious, asking their names, what they like doing at school takes the pressure off their mothers and cheers everyone up.