To not have any skills worth swapping

[FleeBee]

This has made feel a bit rubbish about myself as I've realised that I don't have any swappable skills!

My DH is works in IT and has spent the last few evenings helping my friend's DH with a bit document he was trying to create. He also sets up people's computers, checks their anti-virus and other bits and bobs and friends are always really grateful.

My mum is bilingual and has been teaching some neighbours who are planning to travel round where my mum is from so wanted to learn some of the language. They have been very grateful.

My neighbour is a fantastic woman who has repaired an outfit of my DC1 which was damaged and now looks fab, she bakes and brings cakes round for me and the DC and I'm always immensely grateful. I can't sew for toffee and my baking turns out like concrete.

It's made me realise that I can't offer to help anyone!! And I'm feeling a bit guilty! I'm a SAHM after being made redundant from ah job which doesn't have any skills worth swapping with anyone!

I'm doomed !! I'd like to help - but I can't

There has to be something you bring to the party. Even if all you can lay claim to is being a good listener, it's a start. Ask friends what they like about you for clues.

maybe babysitting of other people's kids as a sahm u may be good at that and it is useful for people? otherwise im sure u have something else you can do that you just havent thought of

Swapping your time to help someone out is just as useful as a skill IME

Are you organised or tidy; love cleaning, moving etc. I helped a friend clean her new house, great for chatting and a helping hand too.

You are a mum so you have many skills!

You can help friends who are new to parenthood

You can volunteer for reading

Do you enjoy cooking or baking?

Childrens crafts?

Birthday parties?

And of course you can always do an evening class and learn a new skill

I do love organising and I've set up a babysitting circle amongst local friends, but so far only been asked once. I suppose it's a bit awkward as my DC are aged 2 & 1 I have to take them with me everywhere. Or have them settled in bed before I can go and babysit for someone. Perhaps when they're older I might be able help out more.

Just feel like I'm not giving anything back at the moment, but taking more of my share IFYSWIM

Babysitting/child care is SO valuable - as a SAHM I often offer to have friends children in the day (esp. if they are at work - eg: PD Days, or even if child is poorly I don't mind - my DS has a very tough constitution!) - people are always really grateful. Many parents are desperate for a bit of 'time out' and would really value your help - one of my friends just used to walk my baby for an hour or so whilst I went to the shops alone, I was so grateful. Or have a child to play with your child, esp. at weekends.

Cleaning/ironing/wrapping christmas presents/helping people pack if they are moving is a great idea - where do you live - I would love to meet you ?

get a skill

I hadn't thought about having children here, which I could easily do, although almost everyone I know has children in school/nursery. I took my fabulous neighbour's 3 DC when they had a teacher training day and we had a great time.

My Christmas wrapping skills are comical. Many years ago I volunteered to help Guide Dogs for the Blind we were wrapping Christmas presents at the local shopping centre for donations when someone came back to ask if the dog had wrapped their present as my attempt was so terrible! My DH does all our present wrapping he is very good!

I also can't bake, my fabulous neighbour is going to teach me pastry which will probably be a disaster!

Ragwort I live in the North West! Apologies if I wrapped your Christmas presents in the past

fleebee with 2 dcs aged 2 and 1 you are busy enough. You dont have to 'give' anything to anyone. You sound great person and i guess a good friend too.

CerealOffender I haven't got any skills! Can I just randomly find one?

FleeBee - you are too far away to help me unfortunately (and no, you haven't wrapped my christmas presents !).

It sounds like you ARE helping if you took your neighbour's three children for a day - that is a very kind thinig to do.

I wish you lived next to me. Everybody needs good neighbours and you are one

You can learn things on utube

Pick a skill you'd like to learn or a subject you're interested in and there's bound to be a night-school course or similar on offer in your area. I'm always saying to my son to 'give everything a try and one day you'll find the thing you're good at' or words to that effect. Keep learning, keep trying new things... it's never too late.

Everyone has some talents

I really can't think what my talent would be. What skills/talents do everyone else have?

Perhaps that could give me inspiration to improve myself and be more useful in life

Music.... buy a ukulele (v v cheap) and I guarantee you could knock out a tune within 30 minutes :) Not in the slightest bit useful (definition of an optimist is a ukulele player with a pager) but lots of fun.

I am north west too

fancy babysitting Friday?

I feel similar to you, I'm a midwife so my skills are only of use to friends occasionly.