When a friend or family member is about to become a new mom, you may feel somewhat limited in terms of the help you can provide.
The challenges of motherhood can be unique, and intense obstacles can stand in the way of feelings of contentment. Often, childbirth is just the start of this uphill climb, and new parents may face things like sleepless nights, daily stress, and burning feelings of self-doubt.
It may seem like there is nowhere for you to fit into this equation. However, there are a few ways you can be of service. Find out what these instances may involve down below.
Researching the Experience
You cannot ever know what being a new mom is like unless you are experiencing it yourself. Still, that does not mean you should not try to gain a better understanding of things if you are providing support.
There are many ‘messy truths’ when it comes to being a mom, with losses in personal space and work life balances being chief among them. Some moms even claim it took them upwards to a month to feel anything approaching normal after the physical and mental trauma of labor. Being sensitive to these issues is key.
Even if you are a mom yourself, it may still be a good idea to read up on being a parent in 2021. For instance, the pandemic may have increased feelings of isolation, or perhaps modern technology has influenced how parenting is now performed these days. It could be that your loved one has adopted too and faces unique challenges in bonding with their child. Get informed first, then offer support.
Recommending Helpful Services
Of course, you cannot know everything – the professionals might though!
There are many services that can help with the motherhood process – nannies, councilors, and therapists can all weigh in to help alleviate some of the parental burden. Doing some research around them and recommending support from reputable professionals could be helpful.
If you live close by, it may also be helpful to suggest Nashville’s best mommy makeover doctors if you know the new mother is suffering from body confidence problems. This should help to restore or even improve upon their pre-pregnancy figure. Approach the matter delicately and without judgment just as the mommy makeover Nashville services do, and the new mom in your life may feel more confident to act.
Chipping in with Domestic Duties
Motherhood is a full-time role with immense demands to meet. Even brief opportunities to rest may be filled with anxiety about what will be required for the newborn next.
While the odd bit of well-researched advice can be useful, some practical help may ease off the pressure more impactfully. For instance, you could cook the mom’s meals, wash their dishes, take out the trash, and clean all their rooms so that when their bouts of parental care are over, they can truly sit back and relax. These days, moms are becoming increasingly burned out, so being their safety net during this time could be crucial. You could even liaison with mutual loved ones so that they can resume responsibilities when you are unable also. Band together at the domestic level, and things should be more manageable for the new mom.
Find more family life articles in our archives.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.