What makes you feel happy or fulfilled?

[babibloom]

Hi everyone,
I have a lovely neighbour next door who has two kids (2 and 5 year old) but everytime I meet her she looks unhappy. She is missing all the neighbourhood socials because she said she has to look after her kids all the time.
Just wondering what makes a parent feel happy or fulfilled so I can help her out?

I would definitely have used my children as an excuse to avoid neighbourhood socials. They would not have helped me feel happy or fulfilled. Perhaps she is like that.
I might also have looked ‘unhappy’ if you’d seen me without them. It would have just been my resting face, not needing to be animated, enthusiastic or attentive for my children.

Sleep.

@Simonjt

What is this ‘sleep’ of which you speak?

Help with looking after the kids and sleep.

Why can’t she take her DC to social events?

Living in the moment as much as possible makes me happy. That comes from inside, you can’t do it for someone else.

I have a brilliant involved DH who makes my life and having our DC mostly pretty easy and joyful.

What position are you in to help this woman? She might not welcome interference no matter how well meaning.

Biscuits, yum. She'd probably like a holiday, a cleaner and someone to take the mental load. But maybe get her some biscuits or wine if she drinks.

But yeah it's hard being out with a 2 year old they are usually crazy loose cannons, they don't want to be in the pushchair but they can't walk far or fast. The five year is probably a bit easier, but they can still have moments of unpredictability, and a school runs in the cold and dark give me resting bitch face too.

I think that depends on her life
We (you?) Don't know if there's anything else going on
Re the neighbourhood socials if you want her to be able to join in and the children are the reason she can't, then do one where children can come

The odd meal bringing round. When my mum/MIL randomly come round with food it really does make me so happy. Not having to cook for a night is a huge help xx

Thank you everyone for your advice. I live opposite her house and having just moved in 9 months ago I wanted to get to know her more. So will get some biscuits, food or wine and arrange children socials. I'll also approach carefully just in case she doesn't want any interference (thanks @AnneLovesGilbert)

At this point (21 months in) I'm guessing crack/heroin.