Posting shamelessly for traffic.
The other day I was showering with my 2 year old DD at a campsite. She was getting really stressed out - the water temperature and pressure weren't very gentle and shampoo got in her eyes and she suddenly wanted a wee but has been conditioned not to go in the shower so wanted to get out to a toilet right away... but we were both slippery and wet and naked and crammed into the little cubicle covered in shampoo. It was all a bit horrible for her and a bit farcical. I didn't think it through well in advance... not my proudest moment. I was stressed myself and she was screaming and I felt like the cruelest stupidest mum in the world in that moment (I guess we can all agree I was being unreasonable for getting into the situation!).
The mum in the shower next door with her older DD asked if we needed any help. When I assured her I didn't think there was anything she could do, she said how calm and reassuring she thought I was being and some other lovely things that I can't remember now because I was feeling so stressed myself at the time.
For some reason this little bit of loveliness made a huge difference to me in that moment. My brain switched back into problem solving mode. I was able to hose us both off fast and DD towelled and out to the loo, and a few minutes later we were both warm and dry and having a nice hug.
Never saw this random mum's face but she was so reassuring and supportive.
As a parent I've been in way more horrible and difficult situations than this one of course but I've never had a total stranger be so nice so unexpectedly.
What lovely things have other parents etc done for you in a bad moment?