Being offered help!

[SmilingMe]

Not the most social character - okay once I know people etc.
Have a problem, where I'm being offered help and support by someone but I have no idea what to do or how to take it.
I won't go into detail about my personal life, but at the moment in a place where I really need a shoulder but can't work out where the line of someones help starts nor how I should broach the support being offered.
Help?

Can you expand a little?

Basically for example, If I was to join take my children to a new school - I won't go and introduce myself nor attempt to talk to others unless they approach me. Only through this happening a few times will I feel okay that I am accepted into their group and able to join in with them.
This scenario is pretty much me in life on any level!

Then, when people talk to me, unless its something I have knowledge on, I just sit/stand and smile, nodding - I listen and understand etc but have nothing in my head to reply. I have no small talk...

I'm currently going through events in my life where I need to talk to people, tell them my problems, have fun etc but I (might sound strange) don't really have anyone other than my husband and work colleagues.

Someone I know - who isn't a friends - has offered on a few occassions 'to be there' if I need them, I 'think' they are trying to help and be friendly but I can't work out how I'm supposed to response as its not in my nature/character.

I have a tendency to befriend all, for all or nothing approach so have, over the years, learnt to keep myself to myself.

Sorry, had to run off there, tea crisis!

Your first example sounds fine to me - you do interact with the other mums at school. It just takes you a little while to warm up.

More people than you'd think are not very good at small talk. Can you ask questions, get them to tell you about themselves? Compliment them on their clothes, ask where they had their hair done. Most people like talking about themselves.

How well do you know this person who's offering to help you? It seems nice that they want to 'be there' for you, but a bit odd if they don't really know you.

They have daily involvement with one of my children and we basically have to catch up most days on developments of this and that. So, you could say they know more about me/my child than most in my family!
I just don't know whether the 'hand' as it were, it being offered out of politeness or not. I get paranoid I might say something wrong or... so from a young age have learnt to talk only when required - maybe hindering my socialising abilities a little.
I'm fine at work - a bit quite to newcomers, I sit, watch, listen to understand them before opening up. I've got a hard sense if humour, blunt, direct, sarcastic etc

quiet please excuse spelling - on a auto spell device!

Well, if they've offered, surely it can't just be out of politeness, can it?

Sounds like it could be helpful?

I can't remember the last time I accepted help from anyone - not sue I know how too :(

Ha! Just found this small talk.

Might be of some use?

:) thanks