A Little Help

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

—1 Timothy 6:18

I need older, more experienced moms to help me. I am so deeply happy to be back in the same town as my mother and my mother-in-law, but for the first two years of Henry’s life, I loitered in the baby section at Target, trying to make eye contact with strangers. I’d start with something obvious, like “Oh, do you use those bottles? Are those good bottles?” If they answered with even remote friendliness, I’d push my luck: “What do you think about sleep schedules, just while I have you here. And you know, what do you think about public versus private education and which brand of car seat do you prefer and will I ever feel normal again?”

If you’re a mom, and you’ve been through this drill before, those of us who are still in the day to day of very hands-on parenting really need your help. If you see someone like me in the baby aisle at Target or at church or in your neighborhood, we really are every bit as desperate as we look, and we could use some help. And a nap. And a shower. But mostly, just a little help.