Bath severe illness is IMO NOT free babysitting. That is the time when the village including school parents, church whoever, even BellyBelly can help. But yes you should be able to ask your village for help. When my MIL had 2 heart attacks I flew to Perth with my kids to help cook and just be there. I would do that for anyone, and I know a lot of people would. But people often assume you do have support when you don't which is why they don't offer. Does your church have something similar to pastoral care? Do you have a charity organisation that can offer help? I know for some illnesses you can get carers help, but often this information is not given freely. When people from the parish found out about MIL's sickness we had food delivered from St Vincents de Paul's not for poverty reasons but to help so MIL didn't have to cook. Charity isn't just for the poor or underprivileged, it is there for people who don't have the support they need at the time.

This is why I think its extremely important to socialise. I socialise with school, kinder, BB and friends of the family. Not just so I can extend m village but so that I can be part of their village too.

When someone calls and asks if you are ok be honest. People don't know if you don't tell them, and often this is how we block our village by not wanting others to know we aren't coping in times of need. You can't have a village, if you don't put yourself out to be part of one. As my granny told me, pride never helped anyone in need.