Call for Submissions – The Reluctant Grownup

In a week, some friends of ours are taking their 6 month old in for major surgery on his wee little skull. I’m putting together a care package for their 7 day hospital stay – I want it to be pretty small, but comprehensive. Here is what I thought I’d throw in there:

Comb
Ponytail holders
Chapstick
Travel Kleenex
Baby wipes or some kind of disposable way for mom and dad to wash their faces
A list of nearby restaurants with phone #s & walking directions
Ten dollar bills and some loose change – for vending machines
A folder for sticking the zillions of paperwork crap they’ll probably get
A couple of pens
A couple of little books for them to read to him while he sleeps
A tiny plush toy for him
Another little toy for his big bro
Some soothing songs on – what? A CD? Is there a way to give someone a digital playlist for their iTunes?
A booklight or tiny flashlight
Kashi/granola bars
Some crystal light (or other instant drink) packets to mix with water there
Trail mix

Can ya’ll think of anything I’m missing, or anything on here that is superfluous? I want to keep this small since they likely won’t have a lot of room, and will have their own crap on hand. I was going to put it all in a reusable shopping bag or something similarly cheap, disposable, but sturdy. Do any of my lovely readers have input?

6 Comments

Portia

November 30, 2012 at 11:28 am

This is a beautiful idea.

When our little one was in the hospital for a week, it was key for us to have decks of cards/games to play/magazines to stare at blankly while she slept.

And if you live nearby, it could be very nice to bring them an actual home-cooked meal. If they’re open to it and it’s allowed, a visit can be nice to get their minds off of the Thing, and show some love to the baby. And eat something other than restaurant food, which gets old.

Also she was given a blanket at the hospital (it was actually handmade by someone, I have no idea who and never will) which she loved, and still sleeps with often. Every time I see it I remember where she got it, but it is a positive reminder of the blessings that I felt came out of that time, the love we felt around us (and around her!). I know you don’t have time to make a blanket (who does? [No, really, I’d love to know who made it…]) but something like that, personal and long-lasting, but still at least somewhat practical, would be nice.

dinei

November 30, 2012 at 12:10 pm

I think all your ideas are good ones. Long hospital stays (Children’s Hospital? Non?) are like car camping or long bus rides, plus the stress.

– Google the hospital, send the list of restaurants. If there is a place they particularly like, or a place with decent ready-to-eat meals (Whole Foods, etc), a gift card is good. It takes the decision-making out of it while the parents are otherwise numb.

– ebooks, paperbacks, magazines. I preferred fluff reading, but other ICU friends were grateful for an Economist or two

– granola bars, good instant coffee (I hear Starbucks instant is good)

– lotion. hospital disinfectant and soaps wreak havoc on a lot of people

– baby clothes that have buttons or snaps down the length of the onesie. There will probably be IV’s and leads that make over-the-head or zippered clothes impractical. Something like these: http://www.landofnod.com/kids-snapsuits/kids-gear/1

– cozy socks for the family, throw blanket, laundry bag, unscented hypoallergenic laundry detergent (some hospitals require it)

ccl

December 1, 2012 at 2:23 pm

Book of crosswords or soduko, maybe? Or does everyone just play in their phone now?

Amanda

December 3, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Am I too late for this?

Since cell phone use is usually restricted or even prohibited in hospitals, I’d say the puzzle books could be a good/useful distraction.

I always think of my Stage Manager’s kit so immediately thought of things like saftey pins, emergency stain stick, cough drops. If allowed, I’d throw in some fruit to keep their vitamin C up.

You are the only person I’ve known to stay in a hospital overnight, but that’s my input. 🙂

joy

December 4, 2012 at 12:42 pm

in addition to/instead of Crystal Light, some little packets of EmergenC to keep up immunity and ward off colds while in the germy, stressful hospital environment.

Grace

December 4, 2012 at 8:29 pm

Yes to all of this plus lotion and maybe fuzzy socks? Those were awesome for us! I’ll be thinking of your friends this week- they will get through it, just like Lis did. Hugs to them.

Portia

November 30, 2012 at 11:28 am

This is a beautiful idea.

When our little one was in the hospital for a week, it was key for us to have decks of cards/games to play/magazines to stare at blankly while she slept.

And if you live nearby, it could be very nice to bring them an actual home-cooked meal. If they’re open to it and it’s allowed, a visit can be nice to get their minds off of the Thing, and show some love to the baby. And eat something other than restaurant food, which gets old.

Also she was given a blanket at the hospital (it was actually handmade by someone, I have no idea who and never will) which she loved, and still sleeps with often. Every time I see it I remember where she got it, but it is a positive reminder of the blessings that I felt came out of that time, the love we felt around us (and around her!). I know you don’t have time to make a blanket (who does? [No, really, I’d love to know who made it…]) but something like that, personal and long-lasting, but still at least somewhat practical, would be nice.
dinei

November 30, 2012 at 12:10 pm

I think all your ideas are good ones. Long hospital stays (Children’s Hospital? Non?) are like car camping or long bus rides, plus the stress.

– Google the hospital, send the list of restaurants. If there is a place they particularly like, or a place with decent ready-to-eat meals (Whole Foods, etc), a gift card is good. It takes the decision-making out of it while the parents are otherwise numb.

– ebooks, paperbacks, magazines. I preferred fluff reading, but other ICU friends were grateful for an Economist or two

– granola bars, good instant coffee (I hear Starbucks instant is good)

– lotion. hospital disinfectant and soaps wreak havoc on a lot of people

– baby clothes that have buttons or snaps down the length of the onesie. There will probably be IV’s and leads that make over-the-head or zippered clothes impractical. Something like these: http://www.landofnod.com/kids-snapsuits/kids-gear/1

– cozy socks for the family, throw blanket, laundry bag, unscented hypoallergenic laundry detergent (some hospitals require it)
ccl

December 1, 2012 at 2:23 pm

Book of crosswords or soduko, maybe? Or does everyone just play in their phone now?
Amanda

December 3, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Am I too late for this?

Since cell phone use is usually restricted or even prohibited in hospitals, I’d say the puzzle books could be a good/useful distraction.

I always think of my Stage Manager’s kit so immediately thought of things like saftey pins, emergency stain stick, cough drops. If allowed, I’d throw in some fruit to keep their vitamin C up.

You are the only person I’ve known to stay in a hospital overnight, but that’s my input. 🙂
joy

December 4, 2012 at 12:42 pm

in addition to/instead of Crystal Light, some little packets of EmergenC to keep up immunity and ward off colds while in the germy, stressful hospital environment.
Grace

December 4, 2012 at 8:29 pm

Yes to all of this plus lotion and maybe fuzzy socks? Those were awesome for us! I’ll be thinking of your friends this week- they will get through it, just like Lis did. Hugs to them.