I second MantaRay and all other posts of that ilk - go over, set up a coffee date and suss her out. If you go over and she's really stuffed and looks like she'd eat up your company if only she weren't in her PJ's, then I'd offer to hold the baby while she showers, too
You are being so thoughtful, and I think that if this is your inclination, go with it - your intentions are lovely and she'd have to be neurotic to take your actions badly...although we're talking new mum...so maybe she IS neurotic and just needs someone to kickstart her back to reality!!
I'm with MR, Maya etc. Pop over with some morning tea, have a chat and get to know her. Don't be fussed if she looks frazzled, it's likely she's embarrassed that someone's busted her in her pjs/bub screaming etc. And yeah, if she's looking stressed, offer to mind the kids while she has a shower, or goes shopping (or offer to do her shopping for her). But TBH, I personally would need to have met someone more than once to be able to leave my DS with them, even just to have a quick shower. But as she gets to know you, she may well feel comfortable with that, and really appreciate it!
Good on you for wanting to help It's nice to have neighbours with kids too, I hope you get along with her.
I reckon go for it. Having moved to Sydney a year or so ago with DH living in Canberra for work for the first 6 months, I would have absolutely loved if my neighbours had been so welcoming. I'd bake some muffins or something and go over and say, 'I've made a huge batch and we won't finish them all so I thought you might like them'. Take her cues, if she invites you in then go, but if she seems like it is a really bad time then just leave it at that.
You never know, she migh be a BB'er and already know you are coming (lol)
hey leasha,
i would just start with the waves and hello im so and so. As ya knwo i just moved in to my home the neighbor's here have a 15 year old 2 year old and a 3 month old. the husband actually invited me over for coffee and it was nice i felt weird and strange but went anyway it was nice. i have been wanting to invite them over but been run off my feet.
i do mostly yelling i dont smack at home so things can sound worse than what it is. as for you i would just start with hello how are ya welcome to the neighborhood comments then after a couple of them say hey you free today to pop over for coffee? i have a kids dvd we could put on? something like that. you can even say i have some left over cake that i just couldn't possibly eat all by my self if ya wanna pop over for cake and coffee. Some times nice fibs are best.
Well, from experience you'll need to tread very very carefully! I have a toddler and a 6 month old and my neighbour made a passing comment to me "I know when your DD goes to bed - she cries and cries and know one comes" I was very upset as thats so not true. I try to not let either of my darlings cry for too long but sometimes it happens. I know you are trying to help and you are right managing a baby and a toddler can be quite tough but be as subtle as possible.
I remember meeting my neighbour in the supermarket and him saying "Oscar's been a bit upset lately", and I explained that he was starting to stand and cruise around furniture, and learning to fall. Coming to think of it now, I'm surprised that I didn't take it the wrong way! I actually knew that DS wasn't a sooky baby and apart from when he'd fall over and be frustrated with himself, he didn't cry much - but I hadn't really considered his cruising crying to be crying IYKWIM! Anyway, I thought it was nice that the neighbours at least were aware that we had a baby in the house and cared enough to comment
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