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You Have the Right to...Ask for Help!

Guest post by: Sheryl Nicholson

Article Overview: You Have the Right to...Ask for Help! In my seminars I often tease that some women believe they were born with a tattoo that says, "I can do it all"...or "I must do it all." I then ask for someone to show me that tattoo. Although we all laugh, it's not a laughing matter. The sad fact is that 67 percent of working mothers in America come home and make dinner all by themselves. Worse yet, 72 percent of them clean up after dinner, again all by themselves. Let's look at the younger generation. My children have known since they were small that there's no such thing as the "Kitchen Fairy." Food doesn't magically

You Have the Right to...Ask for Help!

In my seminars I often tease that some women believe they were born with a tattoo that says, "I can do it all"...or "I must do it all." I then ask for someone to show me that tattoo. Although we all laugh, it's not a laughing matter. The sad fact is that 67 percent of working mothers in America come home and make dinner all by themselves. Worse yet, 72 percent of them clean up after dinner, again all by themselves.

Let's look at the younger generation. My children have known since they were small that there's no such thing as the "Kitchen Fairy." Food doesn't magically show up on the table. They've also learned that a family consists of team members and coaches. Everyone has a part to play to show appreciation and advance the team's efforts. That's probably why one of my sons is a chef today. He knew that if Mom was in the kitchen, then everyone was.

If your child can pick up a crayon to color, then that child can pick up a fork and help set the table. If your child is smart enough to work a computer, then that child can learn how the knobs on a dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer work. And I've found most children love the opportunity to show how grown up they are and "pitch in."

Now let's look at the older generation, which often sees accepting help as a sign of weakness. My Dad was the full-time caregiver for my Mom, who suffered from multiple sclerosis. We kids would ask if we could help, and he would always say, "No."

Once a week I set aside a day to give my Dad a break from caregiving. I'd show up and tell him, "Dad, I'm going to be here for the next three hours. So if you want to sit here, you can. But if you'd rather go get your hair cut, or walk the dog, or go to the grocery store, I'm here." Finally he did see the wisdom of accepting help.

That brings me to take a look at myself. It's the automatic No I'm thinking in my head when someone offers help. It takes me a minute to convert that to a verbal Yes. So now I've created some touchstones in my office that read...

Who can do this as well as I can? Delegate!

Who can do this better than I can? Ask for help!

Before you say, "No, thank you," think about it, and maybe say, "Yes, thank you."

It is a reminder that

You Have the Right to...Ask for Help!

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Article Tags: chores, family help, seminars, working mothers, younger generation



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