Mothers Helper Jar

04/15/2013

I was talking with the women in my prenatal group the other day about visitors after baby. I am the last one to give birth so all of them have had their babies and were talking about how to handle all the visitors.

Oh I remember this struggle when M was born. People coming at all times of the day, staying for hours as she slept. I of course raised not to be rude, sat their politely with them, visiting, getting them a cup of coffee etc etc. I felt it would have been rude to nap, shower, clean or otherwise when they were there. After all they were there to visit with us.

Now when we are pregnant we are told “sleep when the baby sleeps”, don’t worry about household chores the first little while” “the dishes will still be there tomorrow” blah blah blah. It does need to get done at some time unfortunately. We cant be wandering around in our own filth for weeks, without clean dishes, clothes or showering. So whats a new mom to do when there are so many visitors, so little sleep and a ton to do?

This time I’m having a Mom’s Helper Jar. K, as you can see in the picture mine is a cute little basket, but jar works perfect too. I have started adding slips to the basket of tasks people can do when they come for a visit. Especially this time with a toddler, I wont be able to just nap when the baby naps. The idea being that when someone visits they take a task for the jar as a way of helping out. This avoids the awkward “What can I help you with?” and you blank out of either sheer exhaustion or politeness.

Couple of helpful tips I have for you:

• If you are a little uncomfortable with asking some of the tasks like bigger ones, maybe have a jar for close friends and family and one for a little less intimate guests/tasks.
• A fun little sign on the jar on your coffee table may strike conversation about it in a fun manner, so you can avoid most awkwardness all together.
• Let people do these tasks the way they do them. One of the hardest things I have learned is to let some things go. My husband may not do the laundry the way I like it, but hey he is doing the laundry and I’m not!

Here is the free printable you can use. Cut the ones you need and make your own in the blank ones! MothersHelper