N is for Needs

Are you finding it difficult to get your needs met as a parent? You are absolutely not alone! This is a common part of parenting, and especially for those who are not so willing to admit they need help in a society where do-it- yourself is still in (Why is that, anyway?) it can be a hard thing to put into words exactly what you need when someone asks you if you need help.

“Just let me know if I can help with anything.”

When our friends offer this phrase, we should absolutely accept their offer! Sometimes, people don’t know exactly how to help, and are looking for any way. Verbalizing our needs can be helpful to make sure people are truly helping us in the way we need. While it can be hard, as their offer is such a blanket statement, we highly encourage you to accept! Today, we have compiled a list of things to ask for help with, so you don’t have to think about it.

• Dishes/General housecleaning
• Laundry, especially folding!
• Holding baby while everyone else rests, or so the parents can eat with both hands!
• Tending to older siblings
• Running errands
• Mowing the lawn, managing outside space
• Meal Prep, Snack Prep
• Bringing coffee or another favorite beverage
• Company keeping…parenting can be lonely!
  
  

While it is blatantly obvious that any parent could do any of these things themselves, we can’t deny how exhausting it is! Sometimes it’s good to just add an extra hand and relax. Recharging will make us better able to face the day and all of the challenging tasks of parenting. Even if we are feeling great one day, the next day could be unpredictably harder. Our biggest takeaways for our readers: don’t wait until you’re burnt out to ask for help! You are worthy of help even when things feel manageable.

Of course, this is just our list, and if there’s anything else that you think to add, by all means, do it! And when your postpartum doula is over for a shift, rest assured that they will find plenty to add without you even having to say a word, thanks to good old attunement.


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