#ChronicChristmas Day 20: Ask for Help



Me do it.

I’m not a toddler, but you will quite frequently hear me say similar words. Perhaps a bit more eloquent, as my language skills have improved somewhat since I was two. But really. It boils down to the same thing.

I bet you’ve been stuck in the same place more than once, but would suggest that we don’t dwell too much on our respective idiocies. Instead, let’s talk about ways to break out of it.

Asking for help in general is always a good idea, but especially so during this busy month. Let’s take Christmas dinner. Why not invite the family to help you cook. Or start a new Christmas tradition: the potluck dinner. Or, craziest of all, go to a restaurant on the 25th and let them cook the turkey.

And it keeps going. Any last-minute errands? Give them to your spouse, your friend, your neighbour. Delegate the decorating of the tree to the kids. When it’s done, be like my mother who every year exclaimed that it was the most beautiful tree we’d ever had. She meant it, too.

Asking for help isn’t just something to do so you can enjoy the holidays. It’s a gift of love to the people who care about you. Often they feel helpless in the face of your disease. Giving them something tangible and practical to do helps them feel better, too.

Do you ask for help?


#ChronicChristmas is an Advent calendar of tips for a sane holiday season with a chronic illness. Check back tomorrow for the next tip. To see all the posts in the series, click the #ChronicChristmas label below this post.
 

Comments

Unknown said…
Christmas is a great time to ask for help! My kids started helping me in the kitchen when they were really young and now that they are almost adults, it's part of our holiday tradition. I love baking cookies with them or having them put together burritos (our Christmas meal). We listen to music, talk, and laugh. We get a little bit of everything. Plus, they both help with wrapping. M husband runs errands and helps with shopping. It's a group effort to make Christmas fun and relaxing.
6:05 AM
Anonymous said…
Like many of your tips, this especially is a great year-around hint. We need to remember to give this gift to ourselves.
10:56 AM
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