#6. Top Three Things

Top Three Things, TTT, is a special vacation series. This are items designed to get you some help. So, if you read this and feel tired, send the link to your best friend who should then copy and paste it into an email message and send it to the right person with a note that reads something like,

Hi (insert husband/granny or friend’s name here),

Do you think something like this would help (insert mom’s name here)? She’s been a little overwhelmed since the baby was born and she might need a break.

All the best,

(insert covert ally’s name here)

Today’s TTT contains three things hubands can and should do to help their wives when a new baby is on the scene.

1. Every weekend or day off, ensure that you put the three hour solution into effect. Think of it as a form of insurance that your wife gets enough rest to take care of your children.

2. Take initiaive. If you wait to be asked for help with your newborn, you are setting yourself up to be an assistant parent rather than a full parent. If you think the baby needs a diaper change, change the diaper.

Don’t say, “Oh, I think the baby needs to be changed” and appear to wait for the elves to come in and take care of the poopy diaper. That is not helpful.
3. Go for a walk with the baby and other children. Your wife needs some time, space and privacy to take care of herself. If she is home alone with no help, she may not have had time to eat a hot meal, take a shower, comb her hair or even to go to the toilet as soon as she has to. Give her some time to take care of her own immediate needs. Her health depends on it.