Every parent has days (weeks, months?) in which a little extra help would be greatly appreciated. What if you suddenly had a nanny, a housekeeper, a personal chef, or maybe a good magician to make all the stress go away? As I browse through other blogs this morning, I realize how many forms this “need for help” can take.

Mother-2-Mother just wrote about Adwai Malual, a new mother of quintuplets. She’s from the Sudan, and because her husband’s job currently keeps him there, he hasn’t even met his babies yet! This happy but exhausted mom has many financial/material needs right now- click on the link above if you’d like to help.

With just one child, I’m more often bored than overwhelmed, although I’ve certainly been struck with the latter as well. On those “I can’t read these books or play with these toys one more time” days, a change of pace is best. Sometimes we bake something (doubly good because it results in yumminess!) or go visit my grandma at the nursing home. I can’t wait for it to be warm enough again for long walks- to the park, to the library, to Target. (Although my husband would prefer that I not go to Target when I’m bored.)

Another great source for fun is Play-Activities. Melitsa, mother of two boys, and a former teacher, is committed to developing creative, interactive play resources for parents and children (age five and under). You can even sign up to receive a play idea every day via email. Some of the things are totally new, and others are just new ways of thinking about what you’ve done before- like different ways to play with blocks or to read books. Great stuff!

For a really bad days, this list from Extra(hour)dinary Parenting will now be taped to the inside of my cupboard door. (She recommends bookmarking it, which is also a good idea, but my bad days usually involve the internet being down, so I choose the low-tech backup!) These are simple but super ideas and reminders. My favorites are:

#11: They are only little for a little while. 

#13: What dramatic thing can I do to change up everyone’s mood? Make a pillow pile? Drape sheets on the table to make a fort?

#15:Do I or my kids need food, water, or a change of clothes to feel better?

What helps you, when you need help?

Photo Courtesy:
John Morton

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