Learning to Receive Help as a New Mom
Let’s talk about something that feels really uncomfortable for a lot of us: asking for help.
If just reading that sentence made you feel itchy or tense or like you need to go reorganize the baby’s dresser for the third time… this one’s for you.
Because somewhere along the way, a lot of us absorbed this unspoken rule: A “good” mom handles everything on her own. She anticipates every need. She never complains. She bounces back instantly and still has snacks organized by category in the pantry.
Let’s go ahead and call that what it is: a lie.
You were never meant to do motherhood alone. You are not a one-woman village. And learning to receive help? That’s not you being “needy” or “failing.” It’s you being human. Let’s walk through how to actually do that—step by step.
In this episode, we will cover:
Why learning to receive help is a key part of thriving as a new mom.
The barriers that make accepting support challenging and how to overcome them.
How to build a support system that makes it easier to ask for and accept help.
… and a whole lot more!
Challenge the “Perfect Mom” Myth
The “perfect mom” is a myth that’s been passed down like a bad family recipe. You know the one—looks good on Pinterest, but leaves a mess in your kitchen and makes you question your life choices.
Let it go.
You don’t need to do everything yourself. In fact, you’re not supposed to. It’s not your job to keep all the plates spinning with a smile plastered on your face and spit-up on your shirt (though, yes, that happens anyway).
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re not enough. It means you’re wise enough to know that even superheroes need support teams. (And coffee. Lots of coffee.)
Acknowledge Emotional Barriers
Okay, so maybe you want to ask for help… but something inside you still resists it. Guilt? Shame? That old fear of being a “burden”? Totally normal—and totally addressable.
Take a second to name what’s really going on. Maybe it sounds like:
“I feel bad asking because I should be able to do this.” OR
“Everyone else seems to be managing—why can’t I?”
Remember, those thoughts aren’t facts. They’re old scripts. And you don’t have to keep reading from them. You are worthy of support—not because you’re struggling, but because you’re a human being doing hard, sacred, beautiful work.
Communicate Your Needs Clearly
This is the part where we move from “I shouldn’t need help” to “Here’s how you can help me today.”
Be specific. Be direct. Be honest. (And yes, this takes practice—but it gets easier.)
Instead of: “Let me know if you need anything!”
Try: “Could you come over Tuesday and hold the baby for an hour so I can shower and eat lunch?”
Instead of hoping your partner reads your mind: “Can you take over bedtime tonight so I can zone out and scroll TikTok in peace?”
You are not bossy or demanding. You are advocating for yourself. That’s something to celebrate—not apologize for.
View Help as an Investment in Yourself and Your Baby
Let’s flip the script: Receiving help isn’t a detour from being a good mom—it’s part of it.
When you accept help, you give yourself space to rest, recover, and reconnect with you. And that version of you—the one who isn’t running on fumes and resentment—is able to show up more fully for your baby, your partner, and yourself.
It’s not selfish. It’s strategic.
And bonus: You’re modeling what healthy boundaries and community care look like for your kid. That’s generational healing, my friend.
Create a Support System
You don’t have to figure this all out on the fly. Before things get chaotic, start building your support squad.
Talk with your partner about what real help looks like—not vague “support,” but actual tasks. Loop in friends, family, neighbors, even professionals who align with your emotional needs (think: postpartum doulas, therapists, support groups, etc.).
Also? Set boundaries. The right help feels supportive, not stressful. You get to decide what kind of help works for you—and what doesn’t. (Unsolicited advice? You can kindly return to sender.)
You deserve help. You deserve rest. You deserve care.
Not once you “earn it.” Not once you “catch up.”
Right now. Just as you are.
Letting someone show up for you isn’t weakness. It’s strength. It’s self-awareness. And honestly? It’s one of the bravest, kindest things you can do in this season.
Need help figuring out where to even start with asking for support?
Grab The New Mom Reset: Simple Steps to Feel Like Yourself Again —a free guide with simple, practical steps to help you feel more like yourself again. 💛
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Let’s talk about something that feels really uncomfortable for a lot of us: asking for help.
If just reading that sentence made you feel itchy or tense or like you need to go reorganize the baby’s dresser for the third time… this one’s for you.
Because somewhere along the way, a lot of us absorbed this unspoken rule: A “good” mom handles everything on her own. She anticipates every need. She never complains. She bounces back instantly and still has snacks organized by category in the pantry.