Asking for Help
Song for a Fifth Child
Mother, O’ Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth.
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due,
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek – peekaboo.
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew,
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo.
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.
The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,
But children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
~ Ruth Hulbert Hamilton
Connecting with your baby is what is most important. Use this first year to create a network of support by asking for help. People love to help but often don’t know what to do.
Practice asking for specific tasks that could really support you like:
- going to the market
- tossing in a load of laundry
- making your family a meal
- walking the dog
- tiding up the house
- holding baby so you can take a shower or go for a walk
- caring for an older sibling
The love and care that you give your baby builds strong roots for her to grow. Loving your baby and getting to know who she is and what she needs is enough….YOU ARE ENOUGH.
