It takes a village...
Several months ago, our friend, neighbor, and unofficial community organizer KK approached us with a question. "Would you want people to bring you meals for a while after you bring the baby home from the hospital?" A group of people had done this for her family after they had had their little girl and she thought it was a great idea. We didn't know what to expect, but we agreed that if our friends were willing, we would accept the help.
KK spearheaded the meal effort at my baby shower, creating a sign up sheet for the month of May. For everyone that signed up to bring us a meal, Katie communicated with them about foods that we had wouldn't/couldn't eat, as well as reminding people when they had signed up. Right before we had the baby, Katie gave us a list of people who were bringing us food.
When KK first showed us the sign up sheet, I was blown away. There were so many people that signed up! Neighbors, friends, couples that we knew had chosen a time that they would like to share a meal with us. I was so flattered, I didn't know what to say. I was worried this was a big imposition for people and didn't want them to think that we expected them to do this. Most of all, having never had a baby, I didn't know if we would need a whole month of meals.
A month later, we have a baby that is now over four weeks old, a refrigerator and freezer that are completely stocked with food, most of the pyrex dishes in town waiting to be returned, and two well-fed new parents. Over 20 families/individuals have brought us meals...some more than once. Many people have brought over meals and joined us for dinner, some people have dropped off meals and stayed to see Benji, others have invited us over for a meal. We have had such great food: many different versions of "comfort food", a great variety of salads, some good pizzas, amazing desserts, and overall many different dishes that we have never had before.
Overall, the meal plan has been nothing short of absolutely wonderful. Like most things related to pregnancy and having a baby, you don't realize until AFTER you have experienced it what is helpful and what is not. (Note to self: Meals for new parents: catalogue as HELPFUL and NEEDED. Will do for others.) It has been so nice not to have to worry about what we are having for lunch or dinner on a daily basis. It is one less thing to worry about when Benji is refusing to take a nap or when time gets away from us and it is already dinner time. Because I am breast feeding, I am a walking hunger machine, and knowing that there is always something prepared in the refrigerator, is AWESOME.
Beyond having food for dinner that we haven't had to cook, seeing everyone has also been great. In the space of four weeks we have seen so many of our friends. Although we don't get out as much as we used to, it is really nice to share a meal with close friends, introduce them to Benjamin, and have some semblance of what our life used to be like for a few minutes. It also has felt good to share our new existance with those friends that aren't quite there yet; those that we know we don't want to lose touch with. Being new parents can be isolating, especially when you are used to leaving the house a little bit more often.
I am always busy contemplating community and how to more actively create community among people. I like it when people share ideas, resources, and support each other. I think one of the greatest gifts that our friends, especially KK, but everyone that has brought us a meal has given us is the sense that we have a support network and that people are genuinely there to contribute when we need it. Thank you to everyone who has in some way shown us your support. It makes me feel so glad to be able do this for other people when I get the chance!
KK spearheaded the meal effort at my baby shower, creating a sign up sheet for the month of May. For everyone that signed up to bring us a meal, Katie communicated with them about foods that we had wouldn't/couldn't eat, as well as reminding people when they had signed up. Right before we had the baby, Katie gave us a list of people who were bringing us food.
When KK first showed us the sign up sheet, I was blown away. There were so many people that signed up! Neighbors, friends, couples that we knew had chosen a time that they would like to share a meal with us. I was so flattered, I didn't know what to say. I was worried this was a big imposition for people and didn't want them to think that we expected them to do this. Most of all, having never had a baby, I didn't know if we would need a whole month of meals.
A month later, we have a baby that is now over four weeks old, a refrigerator and freezer that are completely stocked with food, most of the pyrex dishes in town waiting to be returned, and two well-fed new parents. Over 20 families/individuals have brought us meals...some more than once. Many people have brought over meals and joined us for dinner, some people have dropped off meals and stayed to see Benji, others have invited us over for a meal. We have had such great food: many different versions of "comfort food", a great variety of salads, some good pizzas, amazing desserts, and overall many different dishes that we have never had before.
Overall, the meal plan has been nothing short of absolutely wonderful. Like most things related to pregnancy and having a baby, you don't realize until AFTER you have experienced it what is helpful and what is not. (Note to self: Meals for new parents: catalogue as HELPFUL and NEEDED. Will do for others.) It has been so nice not to have to worry about what we are having for lunch or dinner on a daily basis. It is one less thing to worry about when Benji is refusing to take a nap or when time gets away from us and it is already dinner time. Because I am breast feeding, I am a walking hunger machine, and knowing that there is always something prepared in the refrigerator, is AWESOME.
Beyond having food for dinner that we haven't had to cook, seeing everyone has also been great. In the space of four weeks we have seen so many of our friends. Although we don't get out as much as we used to, it is really nice to share a meal with close friends, introduce them to Benjamin, and have some semblance of what our life used to be like for a few minutes. It also has felt good to share our new existance with those friends that aren't quite there yet; those that we know we don't want to lose touch with. Being new parents can be isolating, especially when you are used to leaving the house a little bit more often.
I am always busy contemplating community and how to more actively create community among people. I like it when people share ideas, resources, and support each other. I think one of the greatest gifts that our friends, especially KK, but everyone that has brought us a meal has given us is the sense that we have a support network and that people are genuinely there to contribute when we need it. Thank you to everyone who has in some way shown us your support. It makes me feel so glad to be able do this for other people when I get the chance!
posted by KLOU | 3:40 PM
1 Comments:
That is so cool! I participated in this for a family where the husband was dealing with cancer. It was a *great* way to help and be involved when you don't know what else to do. But I never thought about it for a new family. I guess it doesn't have to be a crisis situation to reach out and help!
I hope someone brought you some bacon at least.
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