Making Sense of the Hard Bits of Parenting — Ask Like You Mean It

Episode Overview

"Can you help?" is vague. "Can you watch the kids for two hours on Thursday so I can shower?" is specific. One of these actually gets results.

In this snippet, Delyse Clayden breaks down the three types of support every parent needs—practical, emotional, and informational—and offers twelve concrete strategies for actually asking for it. Because here's what we forget: most people want to help. They feel valued when asked. They just don't know what you need until you tell them. This episode is about getting specific, letting go of the "do it all" mindset, and remembering that there are no medals for exhaustion.

This Episode

Delyse shares the three types of support parents need and twelve practical strategies for asking. We explore three types of support: practical (laundry, meals, childcare), emotional (someone to listen without judgment), and informational (professional advice)

Quotable Moments
"There are no medals for doing it all on your own. You just end up exhausted and burned out." — Delyse Clayden

"Asking for help's not a weakness, it's a wisdom." — Delyse Clayden

"Self-caring and asking for help when needed makes you a better caregiver to others. It doesn't make you less of a caregiver." — Delyse Clayden

"You deserve support. Life is too difficult to do it on your own." — Delyse Clayden

About Your Hosts
Professor Narelle Lemon is a researcher, educator, and passionate advocate for women's wellbeing based at Edith Cowan University in Perth. Creator of She Speaks and the Citizen Wellbeing Scientist project, Narelle has dedicated over 25 years to one powerful belief: self-care is not selfish—it's essential.

Delyse Clayden is an experienced educator, disability advocate, and mother of three. Specialising in Anxiety, Autism, and working with siblings, Delyse brings both personal and professional experience to her advocacy work. Her unique perspective as both an educator and a parent living alongside additional needs allows her to connect authentically with families.

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A Note on Wellbeing

She Speaks is dedicated to amplifying women's voices on self-care and wellbeing. While we share personal experiences and practical strategies, please remember that this podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified mental health practitioner.

She Speaks is proudly supported by the Western Australian Government and Department of Communities Women's Grants for a Stronger Future Grants Program.

She Speaks Podcast was recorded on the lands of the Whadjuk Nyoongar people. We respectfully acknowledge our elders past, present, and emerging.