The line about asking folks help when they offer AND accepting it if they say no, they don't want your help is hitting me today! I have struggled the past few years with a friend who had a baby and I was so excited to be part of her life and help bc I genuinely do love babies, but for various (valid) reasons, she didn't really want my help (though she desperately needed help). Her parents finally moved here after two years and the challenge is easing. We're finally resuming our friendship this year after very occasional baby focused get together for the past two years. She is even wanting to plan a friend's trip this year, which used to common Pre baby. But it was really difficult to accept her no the past few years and I've been frustrated about it. I'm gonna sit with the comment and what acceptance looks like for the next while.
This is such a thoughful comment, Liz. I'm so curious about what your friend's rationale was for not wanting support -- AND it's none of my business. But I wonder if there are parents who read this thread who were in the same kind of position at some point -- feeling overwhelmed but not wanting certain kinds of support -- what was your thought process?
The line about asking folks help when they offer AND accepting it if they say no, they don't want your help is hitting me today! I have struggled the past few years with a friend who had a baby and I was so excited to be part of her life and help bc I genuinely do love babies, but for various (valid) reasons, she didn't really want my help (though she desperately needed help). Her parents finally moved here after two years and the challenge is easing. We're finally resuming our friendship this year after very occasional baby focused get together for the past two years. She is even wanting to plan a friend's trip this year, which used to common Pre baby. But it was really difficult to accept her no the past few years and I've been frustrated about it. I'm gonna sit with the comment and what acceptance looks like for the next while.
This is such a thoughful comment, Liz. I'm so curious about what your friend's rationale was for not wanting support -- AND it's none of my business. But I wonder if there are parents who read this thread who were in the same kind of position at some point -- feeling overwhelmed but not wanting certain kinds of support -- what was your thought process?