What did YOUR parents do that helped you after the birth?

[sahbear]

Gave us space!

They made sure we knew they were there if we needed them - no matter what time of day, no matter how silly the question was - but they made sure we knew it was on our terms not theres!

[Cass72]

Gave us space!

They made sure we knew they were there if we needed them - no matter what time of day, no matter how silly the question was - but they made sure we knew it was on our terms not theres!

Exactly that!!

When I had DS2 I was living on the west coast and mum and dad were on the east coast so they didn't come over until DS2 was 6 weeks old. Although mum was busting to get over sooner, she asked when it would be appropriate and wanted to give me and DH time together as he was only home for a just over a week after DS2 was born. After that I had two weeks on my own (calling mum every other day just to vent/talk) and then my parents came over for two weeks. Mum didn't once try to take over. She was just grandma. We took turns cooking/cleaning - although she insisted that I not over exert myself. Both of them were just there which was nice.

When I had DS1 I was on my own and young! I moved back home with my parents and they were pretty much perfect!! Again, mum let me be the mum and didn't interfere with bubs at all. They were purely and simply grandparents. She offered advice when I needed it but didn't try and push her ideas onto me. DS1 and I lived with grandma and grandad until he was 10 and he grew up knowing who mum was and who his grandparents were - there were no crossing the boundaries (although sometimes we came a little close!). Again, we shared the load of cooking/cleaning.

I think on the whole, the best thing my parents did for me was just to be there and to catch me if I fell.