During a challenging cross-country flight, a mother reflects on her daughter's meltdown. Overwhelmed by the noisy environment and the pressure of parenting expectations, she recalls feeling like a failure amidst the chaos. A kind stranger offers unsolicited help, which only heightens her sense of insecurity. The mother battles the struggle of adhering to countless parenting tips while caring for her upset toddler, who recently learned to walk and was grappling with a big life change. Ultimately, the experience serves as a humbling reminder that parenting is difficult and often chaotic, and she is not alone in her struggles.
Is it three bounces and a pause? Four bounces in a rhythm? Bounce on my left foot while patting her back exactly 17 times?
The flight attendant who had smiled so warmly during boarding now avoided eye contact, as if I were trying to sell her essential oils.
The kind stranger reminded me of the one parenting truth I need to remember.
I didn't blame her. She had just learned to walk the week before, and the last thing she wanted was to be trapped...
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