Multi-tasking Irish Mammy.

We all are good at something in life. We all excel at either (a) our jobs or (b) our hobbies. It could also be a sport or exercise. But what if it was a combination of all of the above?

Two days ago I came across a lady with talents I will never possess. Her ability to juggle multiple tasks at will and still retain her sanity was truly remarkable. She even had the time to have a glass of wine after she had performed minor miracles.

The lady was about 33-35 years of age and had five children under the age of ten. This in itself was admirable, but she was about to embark on a long-haul flight with these children on her own. No help from any other adult - none whatsoever. Until we gave her a helping hand - she even stated that she didn't really need help!

She was well able and confident enough to do everything on her own. She got a little frustrated on one occasion, saying "feck" for the first, and only time. And that was the end of it. No more cursing or expletives. No more terse adjectives said out loud in front of the kids. No more stress - the lady just wasn't wired that way.

The kids were a fine example of herself. They were calm and independent. They weren't needy and hyped up mad on Pringles and Fanta. Two of the older kids came directly to me and asked for water. And what they then did was outstanding too. They poured water for the others before pouring for themselves - what percentage of kids anywhere in the world, do that?

This lady had one boy and he was the eldest, at ten years old. He was a little gentleman and the lady said he was the apple of his father's eye. He was so mature for his age and helped out his mother at every turn. In fact, I don't think I was as mature as him even when I was sixteen.

Then came the two girls, aged eight and four. But the amazing part of how she managed this trip was that she had twin baby girls aged just fifteen months. And she had car seats. For both of them.

This lady came on a long-haul flight with two special zipped bags that contained car seats for the twins. The eldest boy carried the bottle and nappy bag - he carried nothing for himself. The two younger girls carried toys for the twins and colouring books for themselves. This lady carried only her purse for herself.

Six people - one bag and three small personal items. Fecking amazing. I nearly carry more going to the gym.

But the best part was that not one of them cried. The twins fell asleep with bottles from Mammy that were pre-prepared before the flight. They were asleep within an hour after takeoff, as if tuned to a clock. Irish Mammy sat in between them and watched her TV, with only one earphone plugged in with the other ear listening out for noise or disturbance.

Her three eldest kids sat happily behind her and watched films on their TVs until two of them fell asleep. Even the area that they sat in was clean, neat and tidy - an indication that they treated everything with respect. Guess who stayed awake throughout the flight to keep an eye on his sisters?

They say that we are reflections of our parents. We take different aspects of their personality and mould ourselves into the people we are today.

I took the time to say to this lady before she disembarked our plane, that she had done an amazing job bringing up her children. They were a fine example of her kind and gentle direction, and no doubt her husband's too.

But her skills as a mother and general of her small band of troops was utterly jaw-dropping.

I just wish all kids behaved this way on a plane.