I'm on the verge of tears, I'm surrounded by the hurricane that is my two boys, they've been Super Curious, trying and just plain naughty. I think I'm about to lose it.
So then why don't I call a friend and ask for help? Why don't I just admit that I'm not coping? In hindsight of course, I'm incredibly honest and can tell friends I had a bad day.
Last week.
But just not on that particular day.
I've asked myself this question often: Why do I struggle to ask for help? You know, pick up the phone and just ask? After giving it some thought, here are some of my conclusions:
Pretty much every time.
I swallowed my pride last week and asked a friend to look after my boys as I had to work on a Sunday (don't ask me why, just don't). She was so happy to accept, my kids had a fantastic time, and I wonder why I struggled so much with asking.
And when the shoe is on the other foot, I'm so honoured to be asked. I'm happy to do so and I find it's a win-win with the boys too. An extra playmate for a few hours, for a day? Fantastic!
So, what's my problem? More humble pie perhaps?
Do you struggle to ask friends or family for help when you really need it? Why?
The A-Z of Parenting Tips were inspired by this article in the Courier Mail.
So then why don't I call a friend and ask for help? Why don't I just admit that I'm not coping? In hindsight of course, I'm incredibly honest and can tell friends I had a bad day.
Last week.
But just not on that particular day.
I've asked myself this question often: Why do I struggle to ask for help? You know, pick up the phone and just ask? After giving it some thought, here are some of my conclusions:
- Friends of mine who don't have kids are at work.
- Friends who are stay at home mums also have kids of their own. And aren't they struggling with exactly the same issues as me? Why would I burden them with my kids too?
- Those who are work at home mums are so busy trying to juggle their kids and work.
- My mother in law already looks after both of my children once a week for a whole day. I can't ask her again.
- I'm too proud to ask.
Pretty much every time.
I swallowed my pride last week and asked a friend to look after my boys as I had to work on a Sunday (don't ask me why, just don't). She was so happy to accept, my kids had a fantastic time, and I wonder why I struggled so much with asking.
And when the shoe is on the other foot, I'm so honoured to be asked. I'm happy to do so and I find it's a win-win with the boys too. An extra playmate for a few hours, for a day? Fantastic!
So, what's my problem? More humble pie perhaps?
Do you struggle to ask friends or family for help when you really need it? Why?
The A-Z of Parenting Tips were inspired by this article in the Courier Mail.
I hope writing this post has helped you realise that it's really, really okay to ask for help!!! I'm a big fan of finding all the number 2's on your list that you can and getting in there and helping each other out. I'll do yours this week, you do mine next. And every other day we'll get together at the park for an hour or two and let our kids go mad together. It's always easier when you're not alone because part of feeling like you're not coping is that sometimes being a mum can be the loneliest job in the world. x
ReplyDeletePS - love your blog, it's so interesting! What a great perspective you have. x
ReplyDeleteSometimes, in the writing I become. Saying it out loud is a good way to admit there's a problem. Now about trying to solve that problem. This week, I've babysat and I'm going to be fearless about asking. I promise.
ReplyDelete