So, here I am. 21 weeks along in my fifth pregnancy and I thought I might share some wisdom I've gathered over my many years of gestation.
Pregnant women glow. Pregnant women are excited. Pregnant women enjoy planning for and anticipating the arrival of their new little bundle.
But, also? Pregnant women get tired. Pregnant women get swollen feet. Pregnant women get hormonal and weepy. Pregnant women (especially when it's their second or third or fourth or fifth pregnancy) get overlooked.
Sure, they probably don't need a baby shower because more than likely they already have all the gizmos and gadgets and onesies and whatnot. But there is more involved here than the sweet baby. There is the mom to remember, as well.
So without further ado, a list of things you can do for your pregnant friends:
1. Buy them a restaurant gift card. Give her guilt-free a break from cooking, a chance to eat something from a plate she won't have to clean and a reason to get out of the house.
2. Invite her kids over to play or maybe even spend the night. She can use her free time to take a long awaited nap or (watch her husband) paint the nursery or put up those swollen feet for more than 2 minutes at a time.
3. Gift her a set of movie tickets and the babysitting to go along with it. She and the Mr. can escape for a bit into a chilly theater and watch grown-up things without the mute setting engaged.
4. Bring her goodies. A basket of muffins, a bag of her favorite candy, whatever craving she's mentioned lately are all wonderful ideas. Want to make it even better? Incorporate a game of Ding-Dong-Ditch and let the giver's identity be a surprise.
5. Send a quick note. It can be snailmail, a text, tweet or facebook wall post. Just let her know you are thinking of her and hope things are going well. And it never hurts to tell her how pretty she looks, either!
I'm all ears for more ideas on loving on an expectant friend. Have you done something special for someone? Has anyone done something memorable for you? Let's hear 'em!
7 comments:
This is great, Sarah!
Arrange a day to come over and do things like dust furniture, do laundry, bake a batch of cookies, and pull some weeds.
Arrange for meal delivery for at least 7 of the first 14 dinners POST delivery.
Offer a pedicure - either from yourself, or in form of a gift certificate along with the babysitting.
Bring a package of diapers and/or wipes, and a special something for the new little one - no reason for this newest blessing to get only hand-me-downs.
Throw a shower that includes things listed above, along with coupons for some sitting after the arrival so the parents can enjoy some time with each other, and/or alone for things like doctor visits.
Make sure you set up time to come over sometime in the 2nd through 6th weeks after delivery to watch the big kids and do laundry so mom can take an uninterrupted shower and/or nap.
Offer to help get all those little onesies, socks, and sleepers washed and into a dresser/closet/basket in the nursery.
Oh - and make sure you ask the mom how she's feeling, NOT just how the baby is doing.
Wish I was geographically there to come over and do some of these things for and with you!
Great list! I loved pedicures when I was pregnant. If the rest of me felt bloated and unattractive, at least my feet could be cute and my shins massaged. :-) Maybe a gift certificate to a nail spa?
Invite a friend over to CLEAN A TOILET! The ones who will are your true friends.
yes, yes and yes.
Came over from Metropolitan Mama. Love this list being pregnant with #2 has been so different from my first. Even without the baby shower I do believe a small party to celebrate the mom and baby coming are always greatly appreciated. Will be sure to keep this list handy for the next time one of my friends is pregnant.
What a lovely list.
I would add...
* Deliver a meal.
* Team up with a few friends to buy her a gift certificate for mail service.
* Give her a bag of healthy snacks - beef jerky, nuts, fresh fruit, pre-sliced veggies, etc.
stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
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