Ideas for parents with new baby

24 years ago

We're expecting our second grandchild next year. The parents have a 2 year old and they are saying that they realize they won't be able to go out much (to dinner, etc) with both children (a newborn and a toddler) after the baby comes. We're thinking of giving them a "babysitting care package" for Christmas with movie and dinner gift certificates and an offer to babysit at their house at least once a month so they can get out of the house together.

Can you suggest other ideas to include? I'm at a loss and we want to make it meaningful and very useful and helpful.

Thanks

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Comments (9)

michelle_aol_com
24 years ago
One of the best gifts we got was a couple gift certificates to a local pizza place. On those nights when we were just exhausted, ordering pizza was the BEST.
slweber_gate_net
24 years ago
Along the lines of the pizza place, find other restaurants that deliver and give gift certificates and their carry out menu.

I always wanted housekeeping for a month or so, but never did get it :( Maybe next time. A once a week service, someone to mop the floors, clean the bathrooms. There are various levels of service.

But most of all, I love it when I am sick, or after a new baby, my mom comes and does all my laundry. She did that recently for me. I have 3 kids (that's a lot of laundry) and have had terrible morning sickness with #4 lately. It is more appreciated than I can even put into words! That frees me to spend time with my kids.
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I meant to ask about the nursing ingredients! One reason i started this... They ordered King Cakes. (of course). I was going to make a few. Don't want to compete with their gift...especially if it is a good one like an ann_t recipe. : ) I do need to make a batch of granola...i make it every three-4 months and freeze in food saver portions. Easy to share that one. I think i'll do this in two parts...A snack box of granola, cheeses and meats, pate'...olives, etc. Maybe make some parm flatbread, yum. ohh, with a small bottle of infused olive oil. Another box of easy re-heat frozen entrees. For the week following delivery. I have tamales i made during x-mas. A half dozen lasagna meals. (need to make that). A half dozen hearty soups with a few bags of homemade croutons. This is a good idea i forgot about. I have a fancy silicone ice cube tray...just nicer than the standard...a flatter disk shape. I think i'll make a citrus herb pesto type soup topper to add a fresh element to the soups. And freeze. Basically anything i make for us the next week or two i'll just double and set aside for them. Fun.
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I have also heard that nursing mothers should limit garlic,onions, and anything spicy. Not for her sake,but for the baby. Maybe you could ask them if there is anything in particular they would like,since they are somewhat conservative eaters. If you don't want to do that, I concur with the roast chicken idea. Chicken,mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and green beans. Mmmmmmmmm. When one of my sister's had her first baby, she flew me in for the express purpose of filling her freezer with meals. I cooked lots of stuff, but the favorite was pot roast cooked in the slow cooker with carrots and potatoes.(I admit, i put some onions in there too, but they cooked all day, and sis said no tummy troubles for baby afterward) Maybe soup? It may be a little warm out for soup, but I have never had anyone kick me out of the house for bringing my potato soup over. It's also freezes well,which is important. Whatever you make,make lots so they can freeze for later dates when people stop cooking for them. ;) Sorry I suck at recipes, since I never measure,but here goes: Cut up bacon and cook until crispy.(maybe half a pound?) Remove from pot to drain. Pour out all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat. In.bacon fat, cook some peeled and cut up russet potatoes(2 to 3 pounds) with some onion (just a little) for about 10 minutes. Add chicken stock to cover potatoes, bring to a boil and cook until taters are done. At this point, I take a whisk and kind of break up the potatoes a little, but I don't mash them. I guess if you wanted it smoother,you could use a stick blender. Add some milk or cream,about 3 cups or so. Then oodles of cheddar. (Yes "oodles" is an official measurement in my kitchen.) To thicken it, I make a small amount of Mac and cheese sauce. (2 TBS. BUTTER,2 TBS FLOUR, 1 1/4 CUP MILK OR CREAM, HANDFUL OF CHEESE) and whisk it in slowly. Then I add the bacon back in. Salt and Pepper to taste. It's a basic recipe,but much loved. A pot of this with some really good rolls might work. If you wanted to avoid the onion, chives might work instead,added at the end.
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MaryF
24 years ago
You're wonderful for doing this. I agree for the carry out and delivery places. Maybe a dinner invitation where all the adults go out and you find a reliable sitter for the kids. A day out for Mom alone might be nice too if you could come in and stay with the little ones while Mom meets a girlfriend for lunch and/or shopping.
I know I would be much more at ease leaving Grandma in charge.
hoagie_pclink_com
24 years ago
I have a toddler and an infant. We don't have a babysitter and don't really have any relatives to watch our boys, so I think the babysitting thing is really great. Also, the take out/delivery food thing is nice. It depends on how much you want to spend, but you could get them a weekend hotel room, and offer to babysit, too. What a thoughtful idea!
karen_redlands_net
24 years ago
You are very generous. I love it when my mom comes to watch dd even if I stay home so I can get the cleaning done. I also enjoy working on my photo organization, holiday decorating...things you can't get done with little ones underfoot.
I don't even think you need to spend money...just be available!
jenn
Original Author
24 years ago
Thanks for your input.

Do you think offering to babysit once a month, at their house, is enough? And if something else comes up on that day that either of us can't cancel (birthday party, etc), then we could wait until the next month or try to reschedule? I don't think it needs to be in cement, I just think if they know they will have a break next month, or in a few weeks, they will feel less stressed out. We want it to be meaningful and helpful to them, without us feeling "locked in" to do something we can't say no to on occasion without appearing unavailable (I work full time and commute a couple hours a day).
katie-martinez_excite_com
24 years ago
Hi, I think that once a month is perfect..for you, you dont want to burn out-it is quite a committment (sp?) and soo generous of you-for them-it will come just at that time of the month where they REALLY NEED IT-you are wonderful, my mom is my babysitter and it is amazing and great and we are blessed to have her. i made a deal for once a month to go to a movie-what a needed evening.-i would also maybe get her a massage (if she likes them) like once every several months-what a great idea for a mom!! I truly think any idea you come up with will be AMAZING AND APPRECIATED. --katie
zschulte_qwest_net
24 years ago
That's the best idea I've ever heard. Both of my daughters grandmothers live right in town and hardly ever watch my daughter. It's so nice to leave her with someone who is related but it seems as if that never happens. Once a month would be fantastic to look forward to. Do you want to take my daughter once a month too...LOL.
KerryClem
24 years ago
I think your idea so far sounds wonderful.... I would love that kind of thing! Actually, dh's parents do that to an extent for us - they come to visit quite often and babysit overnight so dh and I can go out (or jus stay in *wink*) and not have to worry about getting home at a certain time for the sitter.....
I would love someone to do my laundry or some housework, too, though! It's so hard with a munchkin to care for!

Ideas for parents with new baby

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Ideas for parents with new baby

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