Gifts for New Parents

Parenting advice posts are a rarity here.  There was one in 2015, another in 2017 plus one on childhood house rules that make sense now that didn't back then.  There's nothing like having a teenager with the ability to read and comment to make you wary about drawing attention to your parenting.  

One of the ladies at church is expecting and this got me thinking about how to help support her and her family when baby arrived.  So maybe less of a parenting advice post and more suggestions for acts of kindness for a specific audience ... New parents.  

A Listening Ear.

Welcoming a baby into a house - whether it's your first, second, third or however many - is a big deal.  It's a bit like putting your life into a blender.  Without the lid.  Fun but messy.  A friend who listens to your worries without judging, only offers advice when asked, knows when a hug is needed, puts the kettle on to make the tea and washes up afterwards is priceless.

A Helping Hand.

The self cleaning house is yet to be invented.  Whilst you can do the shopping on the Internet, it doesn't put itself away or turn itself into meals.  Walking the dog, taking the older child(ren) out for the afternoon, doing the garden, getting the shopping, giving the house a clean or putting a wash on ... Only a few hours of your time enables the new parents have a sleep, go for a walk, nurse or flop in front of the TV.  

Food.

At our previous church, members of the congregation cooked and dropped meals round to new parents every night for a week.  All we had to do was reheat them and return the dishes afterwards. Amazing!  

Stuff.

Parents, particularly new ones, are pressured to buy All The Things.  As so much depends on baby, one family's essential is another's waste of money.  The Tubblet loved her bouncy chair but never touched the walker. She shuffled along on her bottom until she didn't. If you've still got baby stuff stored in your attic and won't need it for a while, consider lending to a friend.  It might be just the thing and it'll save them some money.

Gifts.

Something that could only come from you.  A playlist, some flowers, a book or, if all else fails, you can never have too many muslins.  When baby is tiny they're suitable for everything from mopping up burp to something to pop over the pram if baby is having a nap.  When baby is bigger, they become Best Bits and are always there to cuddle.  I'm pretty sure we've still got some lurking around at the bottom of the airing cupboard ...

What gifts do you recommend for new parents?

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