Comments on: The Lost Art of the Mother’s Helper

By: Mary Jo

Mary Jo — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:14:58 +0000

It is so nice to have someone help with the kiddos for a bit so you can get some things done! My in-laws are down the road from us, and it’s simply amazing how much I can get done when my younger sister in law (18 years old) comes over for a bit and plays with my almost-1 year old! Sometimes, my younger brothers-in-law come over too. They love their niece (and I usually bribe them with some fresh-from-the-oven cookies!). )

By: Rachelle

Rachelle — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:01:31 +0000

I never knew that it had a name before, that job which I have been performing most of my whole life (as the eldest sister). Now that my younger brothers are past the “playing and cuddling and feeding and changing” stage, thanks for encouraging me to offer my time to other mothers out there who could use both hands.
P.S.
Praying for you to experience greater and greater grace as your husband is deployed.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:39:39 +0000

Thanks so much for this encouragement! I have been praying about this recently, so it was timely.

By: Aletha M.

Aletha M. — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:16:56 +0000

Very sweet…and very practical!

By: Kaomi

Kaomi — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:21:43 +0000

Such a sweet post. I’ve never really been a mother’s helper outside of my home, but as the second oldest of ten, I have been able to be my mother’s helper. I haven’t always helped willingly, but it has surely prepared me for the day that I am a mother, God willing. Thanks for the post. I was a good reminder to me of how I need to try harder to always be, not just my mother’s helper, but her willing helper. She can tell when my heart is in it. When I find joy in serving her, then I give her added joy. Thanks!

By: Jeannie Castleberry

Jeannie Castleberry — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:51:00 +0000

I’d like to encourage those of us who are well past 15 now to see if there’s a way we can do this, too. Some of us have friends who are married with several small children, and while it can be emotionally hard to “play mom” when we want the real thing so badly, it can also be a great blessing.

By: LeAnna

LeAnna — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:47:30 +0000

This is worth it’s weight in gold. I so wish more young ladies would jump on this band wagon. I myself spent many years doing just so and it is such a blessing to see that this is not a lost art.

By: Rael

Rael — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:19:39 +0000

Excellent post! I love this gentle challenge, especially after your story of how those girls helped you!

By: Trina

Trina — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:38:35 +0000

Great post – i read the whole thing, remembering my own days as a mother’s helper, and wishing more young ladies would use their teen and single years to serve in just such a manner. There are two very good reasons – One – we mothers need the help!! and Two, you will be doing yourself a favor. My days as a mother’s helper were wonderful preparation for motherhood – thanks to the experience I gained, there was less unknowns to fear in motherhood, and familiar pleasures to look forward to. I already knew how to change a diaper, warm a bottle, comfort a sick child, and potty train them, too! I am so grateful for that season, and sure wish I had one or two young ladies to come visit me once in a while now that I have 2 and our 3rd on the way! I promise to give you lots of great experiences!! LOL

By: jessicafaithcharity

jessicafaithcharity — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:36:53 +0000

hey ashleigh, i don’t know where you’ll be living in Colorado, but we live in CO too and if you want you could contact me by my email on my blogger profile – just go to my blog and click on “about me” and click “email”.
p.s. i read/follow YLCF and my internet name is jessica faith so that’s why it says “jessicafaithcharity”
email me if you need anything!!! i loved your post – very encouraging

By: Samantha R.

Samantha R. — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:58:45 +0000

Good post, Ash!
And a good reminder to those of us who are single, in our teens or twenties who have a willing heart and can lend a helping hand.
Jac and I have had the opportunity to help a young mother with 2 children by cleaning her house before they moved. While we did get paid something, it really was a blessing to be able to help her out and give her a peace of mind that her house was getting cleaned regularly.
It’s a blessing to give like that.

By: Judith

Judith — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:52:56 +0000

Wow! I worked as a mother’s help for a year or so – it’s lovely to get a peek into “the other side of the story”! I spent a lot of time reading and playing and cuddling, so “my” little guy’s mother could work on homeschooling projects with the older children. I’d definitely encourage young single ladies to consider working as a mother’s help. It does require sacrifice, but there are definite compensations to going more or less whatever with and for with a little person so his or her mother can get some rest and invest in some one-on-one time with her other children!

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