I wasn't yet born when the Rolling Stones were singing about "mother's little helper," and I certainly don't know the genesis of the expression, but I'll tell you one thing: I understand the concept and why it came about.

Because I don't have to tell you that motherhood can be painful.

And that's why this mother now has a little helper. Mine is not a phramaceutical, but is rather a kind, poised preteen from down the street. And I'm grateful for her, and quite surprised she accepted the challenge, as the phone conversation asking her to come and help me was virtually inaudible owing to the screams of my sweet (and usually quiet) 19-month-old.

And do you know what? I had the pleasure of an hour and a half, in the evening, when my two children were nearby, happily playing together with an "older" girl. And I made, from scratch, chicken and dumplings for dinner. I set the table ,and we all ate together, rather than in shifts. The lovely young girl went home with some pin money. And when I asked if she could come that day after school every week, she said, "Great!"

After our dinner, the children's playtime, baths, snacks, and books went smoothly. It was just the prescription we needed, taken once a week.

Mother's helper, indeed.