That aren’t cooking food, or holding the baby…
Sometimes cooking for someone else scares people and I get it… Although there is something special and extra delicious about a meal someone else has made you! Even if they think they can’t cook.
But if cooking isn’t your thing or you’re in a season of motherhood where you really don’t have the capacity to cook for a new mama, here are 8 ways you can show your support.
- Order a Meal Delivery Service – If you really aren’t comfortable cooking or you don’t live near by, but desperately want to help, a meal delivery service is a brilliant option. There are more and more postpartum specific services popping up but even some simple family meals can make such a difference.
- Pick Up Her Shopping – Click and Collect is such a great mum hack and it especially comes in handy during postpartum when you can get friends and family to pick up for you. Even a simple text message ‘I’m at the shops, can I get you anything’ can feel like a biggest lifeline during those early weeks.
- Daycare Drop off/ Pick up – Loading a baby in and out of the car to do daycare drop off and pick ups can be so challenging. Especially if bub hates their car seat. Offer to help with drop offs and pick ups, it can be a fun novelty for the sibling too.
- Activities with Older Children – If mama has other children, offer to take them out to the park, for a walk or even a play date with your own children. There can be so much guilt when you are focusing on resting and the new baby and your other kids are desperate to get out and about.
- Help Around the House – It’s often small odd jobs around the house that get mums up and about when they need to be resting. Pop round and tidy the kitchen, pop on some washing or even offer to help change the bed sheets. It can be a nice opportunity for a catch up while encouraging mama to rest.
- Taxi! – Offer to come along to any appointments, as a driver or an extra set of hands. If mama has had a caesarean she may not be able to drive or sometimes driving with a screaming baby can be really overwhelming. An extra set of hands while mama navigates leaving the house for the first time to check ups and appointments can be so helpful.
- Check In – Never underestimate the power of a text message. Just a simple check in can remind a new mama that she isn’t alone and she has a village. You may not have capacity to spring into action but sometimes a little adult interaction or conversation even via text message can make a profound impact to her day (and headspace!).
- Run Her a Bath & Hold the Baby – Yes you can get baby cuddles but make sure, (if mama is comfortable), that she uses that time wisely. Encourage her to jump in a bath, have a shower or even catch up on sleep. Remind her that you will be right there and bring bub to her if they need her.
A village doesn’t have to be loads of people. They don’t have to show up every day either. A village can be one or two people, friends, family, neighbours, colleagues… There are so many ways we can show up to be part of a new mamas village and yes, even a text message counts.