It Takes a Village...

Today when I went to pick up the kiddos from daycare, they were both in great moods. Things didn't turn south until I asked CCR to put on his backpack to carry his things to the car. He did NOT want to wear his backpack. Now I am a pretty patient person, and I have found that I just need to wait him out and he'll comply. He really is a very good listener and tends to follow directions the first time. Only from time to time will he defy me...today was one of those days. So I waited, and waited, and waited. I prompted him with the excitement of going home and playing with his favorite toys, watching his favorite tv show and seeing his daddy. To no avail...so I waited, and I waited, and I waited. I watched as parents walked in to pick up theirs kids, and they walked out with their kids. After quite some time, a mom was walking out with her son. She was holding the door for me thinking CCR would get up and walk out with me. He didn't so she took things into her hands...she asked CCR how heavy his backpack was and if she could see it. He got up and started making his way to the door before he stopped dead in his tracks and continued pouting. She asked a few more questions so he continued walking toward the door. When he got to me, I reached out my hand to hold his and he fell to the floor. I explained to her that it wasn't her, it was me. Sometimes he just doesn't want to comply so anything I do is perceived as making him do something he doesn't want to do. So she offered for her son to hold his hand and walk with him to the car. CCR took his hand and walked, begrudgingly at first, with him outside. The mom took his other hand and they walked with him to my car. It was so very sweet. I was/am so appreciative of the mom's understanding and willingness to help out where I found myself helpless. It was a reminder to me that God puts people in our lives at the perfect moments. She was impressed with my patience and explained that she would've handled things a bit differently - if you catch my drift. But I think I would've had to resort to that if she hadn't come to my rescue. What a wonderful blessing, and what a wonderful memory I have of one mom reaching out and helping out in a time of desperation. I was humbled and am so thankful!