It’s hard being a single parent. Especially with smaller children. Their moods can be everywhere and you can easily become over-stimulated along with them.

I’ll never forget the day I was with my oldest son in an arts and crafts store getting painting supplies. He was five years old at the time. We were walking down the painting aisle when he saw rocket and started begging for one. I told him we could not get it and the tantrum began. He was sitting in the front of the shopping cart and began kicking me. I said “hey” in a way that got his attention. I looked him in the eyes and calmly said, “Look. Just because I said you couldn’t get the rocket does not give you the right to throw a fit and kick me. It’s okay to be upset but that doesn’t make it okay to act out. We came here to get the art supplies that you asked for because you wanted to paint with me. Look in the cart. Do you see all that? We’re going to paint and have so much fun when we get home but we aren’t going to do any of it if you keep acting that way. So, I’m not going to move the cart until you learn to act right. I have all day.”

A few moments passed and he told me he was better and we went on our way. What I didn’t know is that someone had heard my talk with my son. She said to me, “I just want to tell you that you’re doing a great job. You were so calm and spoke clearly to him. Not many people care enough to talk to their kids as if they’re human. I can tell he loves you and is a good kid and that you love him.”

She seemed to be almost in tears as she told me this. I explained that he has ASD and raising my voice and yelling doesn’t do any good for either of us. We both get over-stimulated and frustrated. We talked a few more minutes about parenting and tattoos and went our separate ways.

I saw a familiar face at work last week and I asked if I knew her. We talked for a bit and she suddenly asked, “Did I talk to you in the craft store?” I said, “Yes! You’re the woman with the tattoos!” Then I pulled up my sleeve to show her the tattoo she liked so much. She looked at her husband and said, “This is her! This is the woman I called you about when I was shopping a few months ago that was being so sweet to her kid. That’s her!”

My heart was so happy. I was overjoyed that someone that was a complete stranger thought so highly of me based on one simple, everyday thing that I do. She and her husband have several children with age gaps and understand what it’s like raising them alone. Talking with them was the highlight of my day and I hope to see them again.

This is one compliment that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

What was the best compliment you’ve received?