The Gift of Delegation: Asking for Help and Building Your Village

Birth Connecting...

Ravae Sinclair discusses the importance of delegation during the postpartum period, emphasizing that new parents do not need to do everything alone.

She highlights four key areas where help is needed: household chores, baby care, emotional support, and managing visitors. Sinclair advises being specific when asking for help, such as requesting a meal or assistance with baby care. She also suggests involving a close circle of family and friends, as well as professional services like postpartum doulas and meal delivery. The episode encourages new parents to lean on their support network to focus on bonding with their baby and self-care.

Action Items

• Identify areas where you need help the most (e.g., household chores, baby care, emotional support, managing visitors).
• Reach out to your closest circle (partner, family, friends) and make specific requests for help (e.g., bringing a meal, holding the baby for 30 minutes).
• Consider including other trusted individuals (neighbors, coworkers, community members) in your support network and make specific requests that align with their abilities.
• Research and connect with professional support services (postpartum doula, meal delivery, cleaning service) to fill in gaps where personal connections may not be available.
• Seek advice and resources from other parents who have recently been through the postpartum period.
• Utilize technology (virtual communities, social media groups, apps) to expand your support network and seek advice.
• When making requests, be specific about your needs, frame the request positively, set clear boundaries and expectations, and use delegation tools to coordinate help.