A Simple Phone Call
On occasion when Donnie is fresh at school I have made him go home and make a card for his teachers to say I am sorry. He usually just draws pictures and I write in it what he wants to say and then we bring it in the next day.
On occasion I pick up $5 gift cards to Starbucks and give them to their teachers just because I know they are not getting a fraction of the mortgage payment I pay to the daycare every month.
On birthday's or during the Christmas holiday I make it a point to make cards for the teachers with a lengthy note in it saying how much I value and appreciate them caring for my children while I have to work.
It means so much that I can trust the teachers in my sons daycare. You can see that they generally care for my kids. It shows in their sweet faces. I hear it in my sons stories he tells me. Or the new songs he sings.
I have a relationship with these teachers. We have our five to ten minute chats everyday just to shoot the shit. I care about them and their family and it is fun to watch Donnie in his environment.
Today when dropping Donnie off to his classroom I asked my his teacher "how is your daughter feeling?" (she recently had her tonsils taken out). She went into telling me how she was feeling and then I rushed off to work.
My phone rang while driving into work and I noticed it was the daycare. I of course panic, are the kids sick? did one of the boys hurt themselves?
Nope.
It was Donnie's teacher to thank me. She went on to say how much she appreciated me taking time out of my day to ask about her and especially her daughter. She said that some of her co-workers did not even ask how her daughter was doing and how hurt she was by that. She wanted to thank me for always taking the time out to acknowledge that the staff are not just that.. they are mothers and women too.
And then she said something that touched me, "Your really a great mom that is involved in your sons life. You go out of your way to make others feel appreciated and loved and it shows not only through you but through your son. He is a little mirror image of you."
I sit here with tears in my eyes and a goofy smile while I type this post because it felt good. It still feels good.
Why?
Because she said I was doing a great job parenting when there are days I feel (and know) I suck at it.
She did not have to take the time out of her day to call me and thank me, but she did. And I am thankful for it because validation is not something you get all the time. So when you do.. it can't help but feel good.
Kim
24 Comments
Reader Comments (24)
You're an excellent mother and a wonderful and caring friend. I'm so proud to know you :)
Awwwww.... how sweet is she? And you? So sweet!!!
That really is the sweetest thing, and it put a bright spot write in my day... Both the things you do and have done for her, and her response. These things are what beauty truly is...
That was awesome! You are a fabulous mom, daughter, wife, friend, and blog friend.
I think you are awesome and glad to see that someone else did too!
Kudos, and enjoy today!
I find there are so many days moms feel guilty about many aspects of parenting. If all of us feel this way constantly, the world would be under Catholic rule, girl! You are doing a great job, just because you ARE a mother. At the bookstore today I saw a book called "Household of Testosterone." I automatically thought of you, because it's a book about a mom with boys. Maybe you should check it out, maybe it'll bring you some laughs :)
As a former teacher and stay-at-home-mom with girls in a MMO program, I can really relate to both sides. As a teacher, it means SO much to get tokens of appreciation from parents and just plain attention. As a mom, it's nice to get adult interaction from my girls' teachers. You've also made me realize I don't express my appreciation for them enough. I'm showing them tomorrow!
wow, that's really cool of you and her! I'm always the one who drops off the little one at daycare (and never the one to pick him up), I'm so thankful for those teachers, but I'm always feeling a little rushed. But after reading this, I definitely want to make the time. thanks for the reminder!
You're awesome Kim! It doesn't take much to let people know that you care about them. People hear the things they do wrong all of the time - we should tell each other what we do right more often, especially when it comes to parenting, friendship and marriage. We get back what we put out, so why not be positive, kind and caring?
You're a GREAT mother and it's so nice when someone else recognizes that.
xoxoxoxo
I know how special you make ME feel; I can only imagine the affect you have on real life people. :)
She is right about you, obviously. My step-mother is a great letter writer. She will always write if she has bad service or a complaint about something. BUT, she also is very careful to take people's names when she gets really great customer service, and she writes letters to bosses about that too. I really admire that in her because I know how much it means to get out-of-the-blue affirmation. It's nice to be reminded (by your post) that we should all do this more often. Thanks.
aw. it sounds like paying it forward totally paid it forward to you - isn't it so nice when someone compliments your parenting? it's a wave i ride for like, a week.
That was sweet, Kim. You are so very thoughtful.
I can tell you're a very caring person, and a wonderful loving mom, and what you do for teachers says an awful lot!
Often it's just the little things that make all the difference in the world!
That was so sweet, and oh so true. You are such a kind, caring person, Kimmy. You always take the time to make others feel special. So of course you're a great Mom!
I heart you so much! xoxox
Oh, and Fresh! I haven't heard that used in ages! hehehe
Such a great story. Kudos to you for being such a great friend to relative strangers and such a great mom.The teacher's words say it all.
A little validation goes a long way.
That is really beautiful. And such an amazing reminder to take time out to to ask people about their lives and to say thank you. What a wonderful tidbit to share.
Yay for you and your sweet son, and his thoughtful teacher. It's so nice when a person pays good feelings forward like that!
Yep, the validation is wonderful. As is acknowledging the efforts of others. I think it's wonderful that you are so great to the "staff" at daycare. It shows how caring a person you are.
Truly amazing! Its the little things people come to appreciate.. Love you latest post. Sorry I have not been blogging lately! I have been taping shows. What was I thinking?? Hah! Maybe it is a good thing I wasn't thinking! If you get a minute, check it out. I'd love to hear what you think. I am inviting all my blog friends over for feedback. http://www.dishingwithdebbie.com Your stories are great and my whole idea behind this show is for other moms to share real stories like you do. Sponsors are donating neat prizes like chocolate baskets and mini-chef aprons and way cool cookery stuff. Anyway, I'd love to hear from you.
Wow, that's so sweet! Hugs!
Mothering -you know the job you don't get paid for? You just got paid. Can't buy a car with it, but it goes a pretty far way, doesn't it?
Congratulations.
KEEP BELIEVING
You may not know this, but as a former preschool teacher I can tell you that you are the exception as a parent, definitely not the rule. I have had a few mothers like you and I can remember them right off the top of my head because they were so few and far between, and I adored them. Good for you for doing that, and being who you are, and passing it on to your kid!
So nice, and so clearly deserved! Your personality shines through on your blog. Glad to know that it's recognized in real life. Kudos!