A care package...

[brightgreenapple]

My good friend has a 12 week old baby very very poorly, (inpatient in hospital for 5 weeks) she isn't up to phone calls/talking, and I wanted to get her a small gift for her/her family or a few bits to let them know I am thinking of them at this difficult time.

I send a gentle text message once a week to let her know I am here, for anything which she reads and sends a simple emoji back.

My heart is breaking for them and her other child and I know there isn't anything I can do but I wanted to ask, if anyone has done this before and what they'd include?

Thank you in advance

When my child died and i was in the hospital with other children I was not in a state to be able to deal with someone sending me gifts. I just didn't have any emotions left to deal with anyone being nice to me. If I'm honest I left all gifts unopened until many many months later. I think what you're doing is enough. If she is replying only with emojis, as kind as your thought is, it feels to me that gifts may be too overwhelming.

Thank you @makelovenotpetrol I will take on board your advice. I am very conscious about not being OTT but wanted to make a tiny gesture. I will wait.

When I was in a similar situation, it was the king gestures from others that got us through. People around us were incredibly thoughtful and the things that I appreciated the most included ready meals, things to keep the oldest two dc occupied and feel loved, taking the oldest two on outings, a candle of hope and a necklace that said hope on it.

It's difficult , because PP has said that they did appreciate things. Obviously I don't know your friend. However another issue I had with gifts was, even though I didn't open them I then felt pressured that I had to message people and thank them - and I didn't want to message anyone at all at that point. I remember feeling scared that If I messaged saying anything someone would then reply to that and it was just too much. I think this is where I was sort of coming from if your friend is only replying with emojis, it feels that maybe she could be in a similar mindset.