That’s a great mom
Friday, 14 Mar 2025
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This is wonderful. I grew up poor and in fifth grade there was a gift exchange. I privately asked the teacher if I could not participate because I couldn’t afford a gift for another child. Of course I knew I wouldn’t receive a gift either. When the gift exchange came, to my surprise my name was called. My teacher had bought a few small gifts for me so I wouldn’t be excluded. I’ve never forgotten that act of generosity.
This is so heartwarming. You never forget the first time someone’s kindness changes who are as a person, forever.
When I was a young kid, I have experienced racist abuse on a school trip and was quite shaken up. My teacher spent the better part of her lunch comforting me and told me about her personal experiences to relate to. She gave me her own copy of Anne Frank’s Diary to read. She said there were lessons in there I needed to learn to live in this world. Boy was that opening a whole new world for me.
I still have that book. I will never forget her kindness and I will always remember her.
If someone did something like this for you – don’t care if you are the original poster of the story or not – reach out and tell them.
30 years later is not too late if they are still alive
It’s the many acts of kindness that made us human
Both moms are awesome.
The older I get, the more appreciate my parents. I love them and thank them for everything.
In my son’s grade there’s an agreement that the parents of the birthday child buy a gift from all the guests (with an upper limit of approx 30 dollars), and then the kids just bring birthday cards that they’re encouraged to make themselves.
It’s such a great arrangement, because it takes the pressure off of some of the families who have limited funds.
I’ve seen this screenshot countless times through the years… but I still upvote every time!
It’s a reminder that being kind to others, offering help, does not have to be a big show. The quiet moments can have the biggest impacts on someone’s life
This is an awesome mom :=)
Day passed without crying over a stranger’s story: 0
When I was in elementary school (maybe 5th grade but it’s been a while so I don’t remember) we didn’t have a gift exchange. Our teacher explained that not everyone celebrated Christmas and that there are other holidays like Kwanza and Hanukkah and while they may also exchange gifts, it’s more important to learn and celebrate with each other than it is to receive a gift. Everyone had a turn going to the front of the class and explained the holiday they celebrated (most being Christmas) and how they celebrated it with their families, the foods they ate and the traditions that they had. It was eye opening and fun to learn about other holidays.
Wow, what a thoughtful caring mother!
I love the mom…she is kind-hearted and full of wisdom
That’s the kind of kindness that sticks with you for life. What a wonderful mom.
I, too, grew up poor. When I gave my own children birthday parties, the invitations said no gifts. When the kids arrived, we had gift bags for them and we had gifts for our kid whose birthday was happening…I didn’t want kids coming to the party with no gift or being ashamed of the gift they brought. Most birthday party gifts from kids are not long lasting and it’s such a waste of money. So do all the kids a favor and put NO GIFTS.
thank you for sharing this.
I remember when I was a kid and forgot to bring my lunch, I casually told a high schooler when she asked what I brought for lunch. Then before we parted ways, she gave me money to buy lunch. I was in first grade. I haven’t forgotten. Nowadays I’m always giving neighbors, family, and even strangers food. It makes me happy.
Thanks for this feel good story.
I have known people like that and I now am an empath helping whenever I can.
I teared up a bit.
😭😭😭♥️
You will never forget, even as young kids and from a young age, who was good to you and made a difference in your life.
I needed this today. I need more good feeling posts ❤️
Reddit is so funny. One post is that sleepovers are problematic and kids should never, ever go on sleepovers because it’s such a high risk activity.
Then you all upvote into the thousands a heartwarming tale of someone’s childhood that involved a sleepover and no one was raped or shipped off into a human trafficking network.
It would be really great if you all could just make up your minds.
I attended a City Council meeting on Monday night where a group of people where working and testifying to attempt to shut down a food pantry in their neighborhood. Some of those people were a church that was across the street. It left me bitter all week.
This helped. We need more people like this mom in the world.
We all need to give kids grade and empathy.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
This was my mom, in a way. I had a birthday party, was probably like 3rd grade or something and a friend gave me $5 in a card.
I thought I lost the $5, but mom told me when we got home why, she explained in a way I understood. Not that we were well off either.
That felt good to read
❤️❤️❤️
Jeeze, that makes me want to cry
My mom has spent her entire career, and most of her life, teaching kids in a non-affluent private school in Bombay. Growing up, I had the privilege to attend an affluent school and there was this feeling that ‘oh I’m better then the students she teaches’ till I started noticing the dedication with which she prepared for class, going way above and beyond. She doesn’t tell me but I’m sure she gifts things to children who cannot afford it. When you think of this, you remember all your teachers who gave their all to educate you, despite maybe not having the means or duty to go above and beyond. They made a positive change in the world when they could’ve chosen to not do so because that’s easier.
Makes you wonder, teachers are the backbone of modern-day society. It’s criminal that they’re not given enough credit or pay for it. The world becomes dark if not for these small acts of kindness and positive change.
Kids could be so cruel just because you grew up poor. Hand me down clothes, yard sale finds, blue light specials from Kmart, etc kids would pick you apart. Could never play sports, band, any extracurricular activities that required some sort of fee. Had a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on the table, a lot of it we grew ourselves.
Random acts of kindness really stands out!
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