When you're out in public with toddlers, anything is possible.
A simple grocery trip can turn into a long (and tantrum-filled) ordeal.
When Australian mom of three Anna Strode was at a coffee shop with her own demanding toddlers, she couldn't help but overhear an elderly couple talking about her and her kids' behavior.
As you can imagine, Anna wasn't sure what to make of the comment at first due to the obvious fact that she, like many moms, was struggling to hold down the fort.
It took her a minute, but the words shared with Anna ended up really resonating. That's why she decided to post them for everyone to see on her Instagram, @bubs2bikinis.
In fact, Anna even admitted that she was almost about to scream "I just can't mum today" when the man in his late 80s said something that changed the course of her day — and perhaps the many days to come, too.
Anna shared her story on Instagram to let everyone know just how much the simple words she overheard from strangers changed her perspective.
The post got a lot of attention, with over 6,000 likes and 423 comments.
Anna wrote:
“They were the best days of our lives”
I heard an old man who looked in his late 80s whisper to his wife while I leaned over and picked up a spilt baby chino off the cafe floor. My initial thoughts when I saw the cup leave Lachies hands and smash onto the floor was "far out, not again!"
I was on my own and had Madi strapped to me in the carrier grizzling because she was tired, Lachie crying over his spilt baby chino and Sammy racing behind the cafe counter into the kitchen.
Part of me wanted to laugh but the other half of me wanted to sit down on the ground and cry while screaming 'Help me, I'm exhausted and I just can't MUM today!!!'
Then I heard it, those 8 words that changed everything… “They were the best days of our lives.”
I turned and smiled "REALLY?!" And the little old man and lady both nodded at me as mrs old lady said "The best by far"
The chaos around me suddenly didn't feel painful or frustrating anymore.
I wanted to bottle it up and STOP time because I realised in that moment that one day my babies will be all grown up with their own babies and they won’t need me anymore.
It suddenly dawned on me that one day that will be Rhett and I sitting at a cafe watching young mums and dads with their babies and wishing our babies hadn't grown up so quickly.
Those 8 words have been on replay in my head since I heard them 2 days ago. It really struck a cord with me.
Because you know what — it's SO TRUE! The catnapping, the tantrums, the getting up 100 times a night, the co-sleeping, the messy house, the endless washing, the constant exhaustion.
One day we’re going to miss all this…!
Sure, these days can be hard, they can be testing, they can be down right challenging but I bet you a MILLION bucks, they will be the BEST DAMN DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
As you can see, Anna certainly has her hands full, and she can't be blamed for giving up a little bit of hope during a stressful moment.
Luckily, someone older and perhaps wiser was around to let her know that she should savor those fleeting moments.
So, the next time you're the one who's about to yell that you "can't mum today," or feel like you can't do anything for that matter, just remember that you'll probably look back at the moment fondly one day, too.
Be sure to SHARE this simple reminder with someone who could use a pick-me-up!
