Tonight I called Seth’s new babysitter Shannon. Her mom answered. I couldn’t let the opportunity get away from me. I had to apologize. Shannon’s mom was the woman who saw me scream at my son a week ago. If you are unfamiliar with the post, its called, “Way to go Dumbass!” (Dumbass being me.)

She chuckled at my apology. She has three kids. She said something like, “Are you kidding? I have three teens in my house, I’m cranky alot.” Then she told me a story about when the kids were very young. They had been sick. Her hubby had been working an insane amount of hours. There was no food in the house. So she took all three kids to the grocery store. The kids were hungry and cranky. She kept saying, “If you don’t behave, we’re going home.” They didn’t behave. She had enough. She picked them up and left without the food.

“They finally realized that they had really upset mom. And once I had a good cry, I was ok. When we went back the next time they were much better behaved,” she said.

I was a shy child who grew into a shy adult. But being a stay-at-home mom changed that. I quickly learned that most of the women I meet are mothers, soon-to-be moms or wanting to be moms. We all have a major common interest. And it is a common interest we can spend HOURS talking about. It doesn’t matter what your economic background, where you live, how many children you have, or what stages said kids are currently in. Because most moms I know are always looking to learn something new, share an experience, tell a funny story, or offer encouragement.

Rose totally understood my exasperation with Seth. She has two boys. She said, ‘I know how that is. As soon as you finally get their socks and shoes on, you realize you have to do something else. Two minutes later when you get back to them, you see them on the couch with their shoes and socks off.”

I said, “Wow. You know my child well!” I had to laugh.

She saw me at my worst that day last week. And she understood. She doesn’t think any less of me. She said something to me we all say to a mom who feels guilty when she ceases to be the ever-patient, gentle, loving soul she expects herself to be around her child 24/7 — a simple, powerful sentence that soothes a mom’s soul.

“We’ve all been there before.”