My lovely friend has been prescribed complete bed rest at 20 weeks pg, and will have family support to help her look after her toddler. Plus her DH will have to be away from home for half the week. In the same situation, what would be the loveliest, helpfullest thing to receive in the post, or by a delivery person (I am distant geographically unfortunately) that would make you happy? Bearing in mind presence of toddler most of the time.

Something to keep the toddleer amused so she can rest, but nothing noisy/annoying/messy to clear up. Aquadraw? I know my dd can sit and do hers for ages. A magazine subscription for her? Or a nice big bar of chocolate

magazine subscrption a good idea!

will google aquadraw, don't know it

A magazine subscription- a women's mag maybe with lots of different articles about people, the home and garden etc. etc. that's what I'd like to receive if I was in same situation anyway! She's lucky to ahve thoughtful friends like you.

Aquadraw or etch a sketch for sure. Brilliant inventions!

For her maybe some lovely cashmere pjs?

D'oh- someone else just posted that too- great minds think alike!

Oh I know- scrabble or tetris for computer if she has a laptop.

Oh I know- scrabble or tetris for computer if she has a laptop.

origami set/knitting set (beginners or otherwise). She can have fun being creative while she waits. Ok I'll stop with the ideas now!!

MP3 player and a subscription to audible.co.uk. They can download stories to listen to together.

Some duplo or ELC Happy Land for the toddler.

And point her in the direction of MN - we can regale her with our wit and charm - the weeks will just fly by!

have googled, aquadraw looks cool, says for 18months, toddler is 16 months do you think it would work? Not much point of it if she needs to grwo into it

a mobile beauty therapist?
i know she has a toddler but people will be looking after toddler at some point i presume.

Letters and phone calls so that she doesn't feel isolated? Magazines to read? Some friends of ours have been on bed rest and almost gone mad with boredom.

i think she MNs but not at the mo. will google those, thanks!

money towards a nursey!!

magazines def a great idea. She is so NOT a woman's own type of person, and want to avoid pg magazines also, any suggestions? Maybe heat...

my toddler is 16 months and loves aquadraw.

I don't know what your budget is, but maybe one of those portable dvd players and some dvds from lovefilm.com

What about a cleaner to help around the house so she knows its being done?

Grazia is good, and cheap(ish)

thanks everyone, have sent an aquadraw and a heat subscription

xx

ps plus TOTALLY getting an aquadraw when ds is older