Before I was a Mom myself, I would see a child having a melt down in public and think to myself, what is wrong with that child’s parents. If I am to be absolutely truthful, I still think that way when I encounter a screaming child. But now I stop and think for just one minute, and I see the stress on the parent’s faces. Often they look tired and overwhelmed, and the child will look overstimulated or tired too.

So instead of sending that harried Mom or Dad a scathing look, I smile a sympathetic smile in their direction, and sometimes I say something like, poor baby is tired. You can see the instant relief on their faces. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some parents who are just clueless, and they don’t raise their children well. Whether thats the case in each instance is not for me to decide, and in any case I have no control over what those parents choose to do. But in the moment I can give a little sympathy to a Mom or Dad who is having a rough day.

As a massage therapist, I know what stress does to your body, and believe me, a parent who has to go to the store to buy food for dinner, with a tried, overwrought child, is filled to the brim with stress. Stress you don’t need to add to, and if a sweet, sympathetic smile can offer someone just a little relief on a really bad day, then take a moment and give them that gift.

And if this is a person or family you know well, give them a gift certificate to a massage!!

 

Valentina Boonstra

Massage therapist, pilates instructor,