Dear June

Photo by rosmary

I can't tell you how excited I am about Thursdays! Our Dear June column is where we'll respond to all the questions and comments sent to House Honcho by you, our readers and friends.

The name of this day was inspired by June Cleaver, a true house honcho who was able to handle any situation thrown her way. We're giving you the opportunity to get some feedback to questions we can all identify with. And if you haven't done so already, please feel free to send in your own questions, comments, and/or thoughts to be addressed in the upcoming Thursday columns.

And if that isn't enough to warm your hearts in time for the next impending snowfall, this announcement will be something akin to your favorite heated blanket: We're giving you more opportunities to get involved on our website, only this time it'll be in the form of CONTESTS! We have a few things up our sleeves including some fun prizes.

So much more to look forward to now on Thursday besides Friday!

Now for our first Dear June column. Here is a great question sent in by one of our readers:

My friend just had a baby. When I stopped by her house to visit I noticed her house was a wreck. How can I offer to clean her house to be helpful without hurting her feelings? I really just want to help.


Dear Helpful,

You are a true friend both for desiring to help your friend who has been distracted by a darling newborn and for having the wisdom and discretion to think first about how to offer your help.

I think the answer to this question really depends on how open your friendship is. If you're tight like see-each-other-without-your-makeup-and-tell-it-like-it-is friends, then you could probably walk in, tell her to kick back, and proceed to clean up the mess for her.

But since you've asked the question, I imagine you're at the level of friendship with her that, though you might see each other without make-up on occasion, you're not quite ready to take charge yet, even for her own good. Therefore, I think the best approach here is to let her tell you what she'd like your help with. Without passing judgment, let her know that you're at her service and that you'd be willing to do anything from laundry to meal planning to cleaning house for her.

The benefits here are that you'll be able to help a friend in need, and she'll feel like she's still in control of her household and able to handle life with new baby.

I hope to be a true friend like you, Helpful! Thanks for your great question.