This morning my two-year-old climbed down from breakfast and took it upon herself to (ever so kindly) clear her bowl from the table.
(This IS NOT the norm - don’t worry, this isn’t a parent brag!)
She went to place it next to the dishwasher.
Knowing it was porcelain - heavy, breakable - and that she was going to lift it above her head to reach the worktop – I said, ‘let me know if you need mummy to help you’. To my surprise, with the bowl rising shakily above her head, she shouted back ‘Muma help please!’
After getting over my shock at her saying ‘please’ unpromoted (and rushing to her aid!) I realised I was most surprised that she had heard and accepted my offer of help.
Here’s why –
Help is hard to accept.
I like to think I’m OK at offering help and looking out for who needs it.
But I am terrible at recognising when I need help, asking for it, accepting it.
I imagine many of you are the same. We all give our time, skills, physical and emotional energy away every day, this is amplified when you have children.
We fail to prioritise our own needs, and fail to acknowledge the consequences — potential or realised. We’re carrying porcelain bowls above our heads, teetering, ready to crash to the ground.
So let’s all take a note from my two-year-old’s book today – recognise what you need, when you need it and say yes to that person that will be all too happy to help you. Don’t let the bowl fall.
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