A number of my friends and neighbours welcomed a tiny bundle of joy into their life. The cute little boys and girls are growing by the minute and with them, their parents are adjusting to their new responsibilities. Despite having seen many kids grow up over the years, one question which always seems to be on my mind is “What do you the parents when visiting their baby for the first time?”
Speaking with other new parents, I’ve started collecting some of their biggest challenges and how any visitor can help the new parent. Here are my top tips for you to give parents some peace of mind:
Outfits
Newborns seem to go through more outfits in a day than you in week. Onesies are fantastic outfits for the first few months. If you buy larger clothes (e.g. 3-6 months for a new born or 6-9 months if you don’t get to see the baby soon after birth), the child can grow into them.
Diapers and baby lotion
Babies are requiring so many diapers and many parents are surprised how much money they’re spending on them. Why not give parents a practical gift like a gorgeous diaper cake?
Toys
Many of the parents I’ve met where showered with toys for their newborn. They didn’t know what to do than just display the stuffed animals as their baby was too young to play with them. It became clutter for them.
A digital picture frame
A digital picture frame shows pictures either as a constant or on a rotating basis. It’s a perfect way for parents to display their pride and joy and keep memories alive. After all, babies are growing up so quickly.
A home-made meal
Bring over a dish for the family to either heat up and eat now or freeze and eat later. Ideal are dishes like a casserole which can put in the over and require little more attention. Moms are great doing things with just one hand, hence the oven is such a fabulous way of cooking for the family. The less moves your dish requires re-heating or cooking later on, the better.
Fresh fruit
Just like the home-made meal, new mothers are craving fresh fruit. Bring a plate of already cut up fresh fruits, easily to nipple on when she has a free minute or hand.
Drinks
In addition to having a healthy snack like fruit, bring the parents some drinks like fresh juices or, if they can’t get to their favourite coffee shop (which is most likely), bring a freshly made cup of joe.
Prepare a date night basket for the parent
With a newborn at home, parents may not go out as often as they did before the little one joined their family. That being said, new parents shouldn’t have to give up their date nights, just bring date night to them. Create a basket with an easy to prepare meal, vouchers for the latest film on OSN or Netflix or a boardgame.
An in-house massage or nail treatment
Parents may not always have the time to go their spa and relax for 1 ½ hours while having hot stones on their spine. Mothers want to look good although it can sometimes ready changing into yet another outfit. Why not bring the spa to your friends’ house and let them be pampered there?
Time spent with the older siblings
If your friends are having older children, offer to take them out to play. Depending on the kids’ age, you can take them to the park or the beach for an hour, visit Kidzania in Dubai Mall or go to the penguins in Ski Dubai. Having to only look after one child is exhausting enough and parents appreciate some quiet(er) time with the new born.
If your friends’ children are older, you can give your friends even more time. How about taking their older kids to one of the waterparks for the day or have a sleep over at your house?
Cooling Dish
This may not be needed for some time and yet, makes a fabulous present. We all know that a hungry child is not a happy child. You can probably hear their cries reading this. When the food is front of them, kids don’t get that it’s too hot for them to eat and parents have to blow to cool it. The Coolit Cooling Dish, for example, allows you transfer the hot food onto a cooling plate which speeds up the cooling process. Food is ready to be eaten much quicker than by blowing on it.
What was the present which gave you peace of mind after having your baby? Or what did you bring to your friend’s house?
If you’re looking to becoming and staying more organised, follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for your daily dose of easy tips and tricks of getting that organised life and mind.
Until next time,
Agni