'Why do you need?' Mom is forever grateful for stranger who helped with 2-kid Ikea meltdown
She's trying to find the stranger to thank them in person.
It's very likely a universal fact that parenting is a difficult venture at times. Children are new to this planet and no matter how well we think we've prepared, something will come up that knocks you off kilter a bit. But you can't stay trapped in your house forever until the kids learn how to behave in public, so out the house you must go.
You pack up what feels like your entire house in hopes you'll have the things needed to manage whatever tantrum comes your way. Jess Jones, a mom of four found herself in this parenting predicament while on a trip to Ikea. The mom was alone with all four children in an attempt to get shopping done before the crowds picked up, but her children had more exciting plans.
Jones explains in a video posted to social media that her 4-year-old has a lot of "additional needs" and began to have a bit of a meltdown during their shopping trip. One child having big emotions would've been enough but the mom's 2-year-old began throwing a tantrum at the same time. Clearly outnumbered and overwhelmed Jones was trying to focus on calming the kids and getting checked out. That's when a strange woman approached her.
"I just needed to pause for a second and this woman came up to me," Jones says getting emotional. "She put her arm around me and she just said, 'what do you need? What can I do for you right now?' I looked at her and I covered my mouth and I burst into tears."
The woman offered Jones whatever help she needed though she was there with her own family. Jones shares that the family was so patient waiting with her, then helping her and kids to the car. The grateful mom is hoping that the video finds its way to the woman that helped her. Commenters can't get over how beautiful the interaction was.
"This is such a lovely message. We are constantly shown people at their worst. How nice it is to hear about someone at their best. God bless her and God bless you. Thank you for sharing that - made my day," one person writes to the emotional mom.
"I don't have children but I can completely understand how overwhelmed you must have felt, how lovely that there are such kind people in the world," someone empathetically shares.
"Thank you for sharing this as a reminder for us women who raised children to be supportive and helpful to moms with youngers we have all been there," one mom reminds others.
"I think everybody is crying with you. Thank you for making us aware that sometimes you need help. What a wonderful woman, I think you made her day too by being do grateful for her help," another commenter says.
It may feel a bit awkward to offer help to a stranger in the middle of Ikea, but this story is a great reminder that everybody needs help every once in a while. Hopefully Jones finds the mystery woman to give her a proper thank you.