I have a 15-month-old and a 2-year-old. I lined up six weeks of babysitting for my recovery period. These were all friends that I asked to do a few days each.
90% of them cancelled, mostly the night before. Everyone was just too busy. Their lives are too full and they couldn't pull off a promise they made a month ago. I called 28 women and teenage girls. Not even the teens would show up. They too would say yes, and then cancel at the last minute. And I pay double the going rate and have been blessed with extremely well behaved kids.
My poor husband took so much leave during the last 9 months. I'm surprised his boss hasn't fired him. All because I couldn't get sitters.
You know who came through and babysat my kids while I recovered from my TAH? Strangers from my church. These were ladies from the womens' ministry that I'd never heard of, much less met. You know, the ones who clean the church kitchen, organize the retreats, work in the nursery. Every church has them.
Their kids were all grown and they hadn't changed a diaper in ages. They hadn't seen the new toys, plastic highchairs, pullups...
They came because each of them remembered how much help they once needed when they had surgery and little kids. Most had had cancer. Some had had a hysterectory. So once a week for four weeks, they came to a my house to take care of fussy kids who were having food allergy reactions.
How do I thank these ladies? None of them would take money. I plan to make them a nice meal once I'm up to it. Any other ideas?
What words do you use on a thank you card to tell them how much their help meant to my husband and I? They helped when our friends and family didn't. They saved our bacon.
When I'm better I plan to get on the church list so I'll be there to help some stranger who needs meals and daycare during their surgeries.
Hang in there ladies. I understand your frustration and hurt. Hopefully we'll be like those strangers who were such a blessing to me.
Lisa
well meaning friends
