You're Doing A Good Job

My uncle passed away last year so my aunt is having an estate sale and moving back to Scotland, where she is from. My mom and her friend were at the house organizing the sale with my aunt. Because I was working this morning, my daughter Ella was with them as well.

After working a couple of hours, my sister and I met up at the house and we all went to grab lunch. Little did I know what was about to happen on the car ride over. Ella was quiet on the quick drive, a normal thing. But when I got out of the car and went around to open Ella's door, she had managed to take Aunties (my sister's) lipstick with her and got it EVERYWHERE. Of course it was a red tube of lipstick, so it was almost terrifying to see when I opened her door. I may have screamed. (definitely screamed).

We laughed about it, cleaned her up as best as we could and went inside the restaurant.

Towards the end of the meal Ella was getting fussy, as she needed a nap after playing with two Scottish Terriers all morning. She threw some chips, a water cup, chucked her fork, which landed under a guy's shoe. She then proceeded to start screaming. As any mom does, you try a few different things to flip the mood but she was definitely in her cranky state as long as we stayed in the restaurant. All normal almost 2 year old stuff of course, I am not even phased by it anymore. Best option at this point was to take her outside for some fresh air. 

So on my way out there was an older mom (older than me, I mean. Around 30 perhaps) looking at me sympathetically and I told her what happened with the lipstick. She responded, "You're doing a good job." 

You're doing a good job.

Those words resonated in my head as I walked out the door and around outside with my daughter. I wish more moms were verbally supportive of each other. Especially being the young and single parenting mom that I am. As a single parent, having confidence every day on how well you are doing with your parenting is a challenge. Especially when people around you say to 'do this and this and this.' To have another more 'experienced' mom, who is a total stranger, tell me I was doing a good job meant the world to me. I encourage all moms to let others know when you notice that they are doing a good job. We all know the words of encouragement help, as it is an emotionally and physically exhausting job, that is 100% worth it. 

With that said, any time I doubt myself, I take one look at my amazing daughter and know I am doing a good job. Generally speaking I am very confident in my parenting and my relationship with my daughter, she's literally my best friend. We do everything together and I can't even imagine a world without her because she is my world. She isn't on a perfect sleep schedule, sometimes I give her French fries, and she might go bonkers in restaurants or in public because I refuse to give her my phone. I am not too worried about that because at the end of the day we always have each other and I can always put a smile on her face.

P.S. I didn't forget about all the dads out there! Dads need encouragement too! Especially the young and single dads that make an effort in raising their kid(s). So when you see it, let them know.