A Small Victory as a Mother

My little one, soon to be six, couldn’t control nature’s call and pooped in the movie hall.
As I knew what had happened, I calmly took her to the washroom and cleaned her up. Unfortunately, I had to remove her underpant, and she felt uneasy without it.

But today, as a mother, I won.

I comforted her. I made her feel it was okay. I held her close so she would feel safe.
In her innocence and honesty, she shouted, “Mom, I’m not wearing my underpants! Do you know how awkward it feels?”

“Oh, I know, baby,” I whispered, and hugged her tighter.
Gradually, she began to feel comfortable again — safe in the hall, safe with me.

I comforted her.
I retained her dignity.
I let her be — a girl full of shyness, tantrums, and innocence.
I respected her awkwardness. I respected her discomfort.

No one ever comments when she poops or pees in her pants. Her mama always handles it — with patience, with care, with love. She is never shamed for being a child.

Yes, sometimes I scold her privately, asking why she doesn’t tell me sooner. She learns, she grows, she still misses sometimes — and that’s okay.

Someday, when she reads this, she’ll know that she was respected then, and she will always be respected.
Her private moments are hers — not for anyone else to comment on. Mama never gives that liberty to others.

Our girls need assurance, comfort, patience, and respect while growing up.
Shaming them or mocking their natural discomforts affects their confidence and sense of self.

So yes — today, I won as a mother.
And even if I don’t win every day, I will never lose as one.