Asking for support as a mum isn't always easy and it often comes loaded with baggage.

Perhaps you think you shouldn’t need to ask for help, that you should be able to cope. Maybe you don’t think you can trust someone to help with your baby. Or perhaps you don’t want to bother people. For me, it was the internal story that asking for help meant I wasn't a good mother.

But motherhood isn’t easy. We all need support and we were never meant to do motherhood alone.

I want to share with you some ways that asking for help or seeking support can look like.

Seek connection

Sometimes we might not actually have to say "I need help". Simply sitting with a trusted friend and talking things out or spending time with other mothers in a group can offer you support without having to ask for it.

Join a mother's group, playgroup or attend an event where other mothers will be .

It can be hard to turn up to these things alone, but the connections you make can be life changing.

In the current world we live in, there are many online groups you can join for connection with other mums. Join a few and start commenting or asking questions. You might very well find your village!

I invite you to join The Mother Nurture Collective

Request to Join

Use your kids as an icebreaker

Making connections can be challenging, and the fear of being rejected is real! So try connecting around what you have in common - your kids!

Comment on another woman's little one. Saying something like "my little one has the same toy" or "how old is your bub?" can be a great way to start a conversation that could lead to a friendship.

Find someone to listen

Sometimes we just need to get our thoughts out of our heads.

If you find talking to family or friends too close to home, call a support hotline or see a counsellor or psychologist that works with mothers.

Support others

Sometimes we can find our support network by supporting others. We often feel alone in our worries, but more often than not, there are many others who feel the same.

If you see another mum struggling, reach out. Invite her to meet for a coffee or simply notice her and say hi. Simply reaching out to another mum to say "hey" might be the lifeline you've both been looking for.

Making the choice to become a parent doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Everyone needs help sometimes.

Resources

Lifeline: 131 114, 24 hours 7 days

National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800 MUM 2 MUM (or 1800 686 268), 24 hours 7 days

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) Helpline: 1300 726 306, 9 am-7.30 pm (AEST/AEDT), Monday to Friday

Playgroup Australia: 1800 171 882, 9 am-3 pm Monday to Friday

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: 1800 882 436, 7am-midnight (AEST/AEDT) 7 days

Sane Australia Mental Health Helpline: 1800 187 263, 9 am-5 pm Monday to Friday

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service), 24 hours 7 days

Suicide call back service: 1300 659 467

Mental Health Emergency Response Line (Western Australia): 1300 555 788 (Perth metro) or 1800 676 822 (Peel region)

When Asking for Help is Hard.