Earlier this month, I took a work trip to New York and brought along my one-year-old, Evelynn…
My friends Angela and Ally had volunteered to babysit Evelynn while I worked. On the second day of our trip, I woke up excited. Meeting the Cup of Jo team for lunch at Sailor! Interviewing newlyweds at City Hall! Getting a head massage at Blissful! But my stomach was also in knots. Evelynn, Angela, and Ally would spend the whole day without me, and I hoped it would go well for them all.
That morning, we walked to the park before I headed to work, and I reached into our bag to grab a pacifier for the baby. After rooting around for a moment, my palms started to sweat as I realized: I’D LEFT OUR PACIFIERS AT THE HOTEL. Soon the whole morning flashed before my eyes, with Evelynn sobbing uncontrollably. She needed a pacifier.
Thankfully, I spotted a drugstore down the block. I ran over and found my way to the baby aisle. When I couldn’t spot any pacifiers, I turned to a nearby mom, her baby bundled in his stroller.
“Do you know if they sell pacifiers?” I asked, trying to conceal my panic.
“Not sure,” she said, “but I’ll help look!”
We split up to search the shelves, but no luck. Finally, I turned and said, “You know what? I’m sure I can find them somewhere else.”
But this angel of a woman replied, “Do you need one right now? I have an extra.” And she reached into her tote and pulled out a clean pacifier.
My eyes filled with tears. I was so touched by her willingness to help. Of course the hero of this story was another mom. I’ve learned over and over that if there’s anyone I can count on to help navigate the twists and turns of parenting, it’s other moms.
Years ago, Abbey Nova shared this wise parenting tip: “Remember you can ask other moms for help when the diaper explodes; when you forget the sunblock on the hottest, sunniest day of the year; when you realize you don’t have wipes. I’ve been endlessly humbled by the generosity of other women. Motherhood is a powerful shared experience. I was recently traveling alone with my toddler, overwhelmed, carrying him on my shoulders, plus two heavy bags. Just as I’d reached at the edge of my endurance, a mom came up to me and said, ‘How can I help?’ I almost burst into tears and handed her one of the bags. Even if you’re having an off day, some mother somewhere remembered to pack the snack, the sunscreen, and the wipes.”
Evelynn thriving!
How beautiful is that? Have you ever gotten unexpected help from another mother? I’d love to hear.
P.S. Why you’re already a perfect mom, and home as a haven.
