Unsolicited advice, usually offered at The.Worst.Time.Possible, seems to be a fact of life when you have a child but so too, I’ve found anyway, is something else that we perhaps take less notice of… kindness.
I see it in the little things; the way that random people return Freya’s smile or respond to her wave (she thinks she is The Queen) as we are walking along.
And in the bigger little things that take more effort. Yesterday, for example, while we were at the train station waiting for my mum and dad to arrive, an employee noticed Freya and gave her a smile and a wave.
She loves any attention and gave him her best smile in return and I heard him say to his colleague: “I’m going to get her a sticker.” Even though I think they might have being going off on their break.
And he did.
He came back a few minutes later and presented her with a sticker, which made her giggle and smile. She then high fived him, which seemed to make his day.
“They grow up so quickly,” he said, as if perhaps remembering when his own children were little.
It was the first thing she showed to my mum and dad when they arrived and she kept hold of it (but didn’t eat it, which has happened in the past) all day.
Maybe to him it was nothing really, a couple of minutes to make a little girl happy but it made Freya’s day (and mine too, truth be told).
One of my 39 things to do before I’m 40 is to try and comment on every act of kindness. Sometimes it’s just a simple thank you and letting people know whatever they did was appreciated but I also send emails where possible, like yesterday (I also tweeted it).
Often it seems like we live in a pretty grotty world but taking more notice of the little things makes me realise that there are also a lot of good people out there – I just need to pay attention.
After The Rain 
That’s a lovely story. Smile and the world smiles with you…
I’m a huge fan of kindness. Yesterday I saw a tweet where a parent was having grave concerns about protecting their children from all that is evil in the world. A reply to the tweet from another parent suggesting there is so much evil out there.
It made me sad, I prefer the outlook that the majority of people are good and kind. Let’s hope one day goodness and kindness prevail.
If just one small act of kindness can make such a big impression on someone’s day that’s such a powerful thing.
I’m getting a bit deep now for 6am…hoping you have another touched by kindnes. ☺️
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That’s the thing isn’t it. It is a minority doing awful things but that’s all we hear about and that’s a shame. Thanks for commenting, especially so early! Wishing you a lovely day 🙂
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All went to pot in the last sentence …Hoping you have another day touched by kindness!
Off to drink my coffee now! 😉
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I might use that as my email sign off from now on (not the coffee bit) 🙂
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It’s so true that the seemingly small acts of kindness are the things that make my day the most (like the farm the other day) and I try my best to do the same for other people. It doesn’t always meet with gratitude, but that’s not the point and I’d rather live in a world where the majority keep plugging away with doing nice things.
I’m making the miserable old git up the road a bilberry pie later, because he said he hasn’t had one for years as he can’t get out to pick them anymore, and I’ve got to stop eating all these pies and cakes 😀
Lovely post 🙂
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Are you sure he isn’t a hobbit? Weren’t they quite grumpy? 🙂 That’s a lovely thing to do. I try to help where it can, it doesn’t cost anything (usually) and hopefully people appreciate it even if it’s just for a moment 🙂
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What a lovely post – like you say, we’re all guilty of pointing out the bad in this world, so it’s nice to recognise those moments of kindness too! X
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Thank you. Yes, before I started my 39 things I would have focussed on all that free advice I didn’t ask for when Freya was small and screaming her lungs out without really thinking about how outnumbered those people were by all the little kind acts that go unnoticed.
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Such a happy and lovely post hon. It’s so lovely to read a positive post like this, as not only does it make you smile but it just goes to show you there still is some kindness out there in the world. Xx
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Thank you, Sandy. There really is, you’ve just got to notice it 🙂 I hope you’re having a lovely day.
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Pleasure hon. You’re so right! It’s been a very demanding one so far but I can’t complain. Hope you are having a lovely day too hon.xx
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I’ve noticed so much more kindness flowing our way since having children. I think they bring out the best in others – it’s a inspiration to see.
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I think you’re spot on there. It’s been a bit of a revelation to me. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
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This is such a lovely post and what a nice guy! Reminds me of the guy at the Eurostar who helped me with my bag so I didn’t miss the last train leaving London during a whole disaster they had there. He didn’t even seem to think it was a big deal! There are some lovely people out there! xxx
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Thank you. Yes, exactly like that. Even people holding doors open, which seems like a lost art these days, is appreciated, especially with a buggy.
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Those buggies always look so cumbersome! I am always amazed by people who can watch you suffering and just stroll on by! So rude!!! xx
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Small kindnesses make such a big difference. Far nicer than unsolicited advice.
When you’ve got a child (or are pregnant) everyone stops you to give you their pennithworth….
….like on blogs for example! Whoops! 🙂
xx
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Hah! Yes, although of course you can just not read a blog. I have yet to be able to shut down anyone sticking their nose in – although thankfully this happens less since Freya’s reflux calmed down (and since I perfected my glower).
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that was a lovely thing to do in a word where our good intentions are usually treated suspiciously
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Very true, sadly. I suppose it helped because he was an employee rather than just someone random.
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