Yesterday while at Wilistead Park, I saw you. The mom with the obviously tired little boy on the red bike with the blue helmet. I watched as he lost his temper and manners with you and other children. I watched as you calmly walked over to him, explained his mistakes and made him own up to them. I watched as you made him apologize to the other children and explained to him why he was apologizing to them. I saw you attempt, through much protest on his part, to get him to apologize to the parents of the other children. I watched as he threw a temper tantrum, screaming and yelling the whole time, while you were calm.
I want to let you know I saw you take deep breathes and remain calm when I myself wouldn't have been able to. I watched as you gave him warnings before you punished him by taking way privileges, followed through with those warnings and removed those privileges.
I want you to know I heard him yelling that "you are not a nice person " for taking away those privileges. I saw you apologize to the other parents for your child's behaviour, I saw you trying not to cry out of frustration. I saw you handle all of this without raising your voice, resorting to anything other than calm words and patience.
I watched as you took a deep breath, got on your bike and rode home with him crying the whole way with you looking defeated.
I want you to know you were spotted super mom. You were spotted being strong. You were spotted being loving. You were spotted being patient and calm in a tantrum tornado. I want you to know you are not defeated, you were victorious in showing him how to properly handle these situations. You were spotted teaching him how he should and shouldn't treat friends. And you are not alone.
Be proud of yourself, and have faith in what you are doing. Know that you are not alone, alot of parents fight this battle every day. You have been spotted mom. You are loved and you love him, even if he doesn't always seem like he knows it. He does.
I want you to know you did a great job mom. You have been spotted.