You Just Can't Do it All Alone: Lessons from a Swing Set

I hesitated posting this story on LinkedIn, but I feel like somebody out there really needs to hear this one today.

I took my daughter, Isla, to the park the other day.

I was standing in the sand, pushing her on the swing, when a little girl walked over and said hello.

"Hi, can you push me on this swing?”

She asked, pointing to the one beside Isla.

“My mommy is too busy.”

"If you ask your mommy and it’s ok, I can push you.”

She ran off excitedly and came back saying it was OK.

I pushed her in the swing for a few minutes while the little girl told me all about her favourite animal (sharks) and her dogs and cat at home.

Her mom came over from behind the play structure lugging 16 month old twins under each arm like cute footballs.

“Thank you so much…”

She started.

"You have no idea how helpful it is to have another hand, even for a few minutes. I just can’t do it all alone.”

I told her it wasn’t a problem and started pulling Isla out of the swing and heading back to her stroller, when I decided to stop and turn around.

"Hey…”

I called to her.

"You’re doing a really amazing job. Your work matters and you’re doing great.”

She looked totally taken aback, and I knew in that moment that not only was that something she needed to hear, but it was likely something she hadn’t heard in a while.

"Wow, thank you so much, you too!”

She called out and waved as she chased after three little ones. The reason I’m sharing this isn’t so you think I’m kind.

It’s because I can’t stop thinking about how surprised this mom looked hearing those words.

It made me realize that I, you, we, need to lift each other up more often.

So many of us are pouring our everything into our work, our kids, our marriage, our homes, and maybe you’re doing it without anybody acknowledging or recognizing your dedication.

Maybe some days you wonder, like that mom at the park who was just trying to survive with limited hands, if anybody even notices all you do.

So for you, if you are that person…

You’re doing an amazing job.

Your work matters. You’re doing great.

You can't do it all alone.

I hope you believe that and feel that every day and I hope this story will inspire you to share those words to someone else this week that needs to hear them.

If this one resonated with you, I'd love it if you'd share it with other parents or somebody that needs to hear it!

Love and coffee, Mick