Team Netmums Blog – Random Acts of Kindness

Every Friday our blog is about life behind the scenes at Netmums
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In a week where the headlines have been filled with more news of economic doom and gloom such as reports into the charges for child maintenance and the rising cost of raising a child, a heart warming thread in our coffeehouse made us all here on Team Netmums feel a little tearful.

We followed the story closely as it unfolded (along with over 5000 others all viewing the thread and commenting) as one mum told how after posting on Netmums that she and her family were really struggling for money, she found on her doorstep a bag of groceries and nappies and treats.  She immediately thought that it was her mum or sisters who had been so kind but after a few phonecalls discovered they were as much in the dark as she was.  The mystery was solved when later that day her ‘guardian angel’ replied to the thread using the pseudonym ‘Cate’:

“It was me. This isn’t my real name and not my real location either.  I’m not your sister. I saw your post and felt sad for you so thought I would commit an anonymous random act of kindness to try and help. Enjoy it with my compliments. People have been kind to me when I have struggled and good karma goes backwards in time as well as forwards. My proof? The last 4 digits on the card (receipt) are xxxx… Don’t bother messaging me to try and find out who I am, as I won’t tell!”.

‘Cate’ was, of course, met with a hugely positive and warming response, with members saying how much she had restored their faith in humanity and how they too were now inspired to, as one member put it:  “at some point this week I will do a “Cate” and spread some happiness somehow”.

Siobhan, our co-founder added her own message as the thread touched her so much, saying: “Bless you Cate, you just made the world a better place. If everyone who is touched by this thread “passes it on” we’ll create our own little revolution. I certainly will and as I do I’ll think of you xx”.

‘Cate’ sent a lovely email to us, overwhelmed by the response to the thread and says:

Wouldn’t the world be a more pleasant place if people randomly did nice things for each other?  Starting one Netmum at a time!

What I did wasn’t amazing or exceptional and I am certainly not a special person; I am a very ordinary woman living a very ordinary (and sometimes boring!) life.  There was an opportunity for me to help someone in need, so I did.  I would love it if other Netmums could realise that they don’t have to be special or rich or indeed anything in particular to help someone, whether that person is a friend or a stranger.  The random act of kindness doesn’t necessarily need to cost much or indeed any money, giving time can be just as good if not better.  If all Netmums did one random act of kindness a month, just think what a difference it could make!  As Anne Frank said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

Inspired by the thread, all week members have been sharing their own random acts of kindness that they have either carried out or received.  Big or small gestures that make a real difference to people’s lives.  Inspiring and moving stories have been shared and we all felt like the world was a better place.

If you have been moved or inspired then do pass it on and we can create our own little random acts of kindness revolution!

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Been on the receiving end or carried out a Random Act of Kindness? We’d love you to add yours to the Netmums Coffeehouse Thread

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Also this week Netmums have been chatting about and discussing:  Gender disappointment, the benefits cap and over on Facebook the chat has been about how you deal with public tantrums and favourite children’s books.