what present for mum when children come home for the first time?

[janek]

my wonderful friend's children will finally get here on wednesday and i would like some advice on what present to get her please.

a friend suggested a photo album, and for me to go round and take photos of the family so they have a record of all 4 of them soon after the children arrive (we are good enough friends that she could and would cancel at short notice if today were not a good day for photography).

is there something that you were given, or wish you had been given that helped or particularly touched you at this emotional rollercoaster of a time?

tia jane

I think the picture is a good idea. When my friend got her girls age 4 an 2. I got her a my family frame rag dolls and pink champagne. Also helping hands but remember the first day can also be quite tricky.

of course, champagne. why didn't that occur to me? the perfect gift for any occasion. and definitely for the parents, not the children!

I don't think you can ever buy a new parent too many photos, especially if you are going to take them yourself as you can often forget in the maelstrom of having new children

A photo frame, and lovely M&S ready meal food and a good bottle of wine for when the kids finally go to bed and they're exhausted after their first day :)

Nice food. I remember DH and I being so exhausted when our first two girls first came home, not having to think about cooking would have been great.
The photo album is a good idea, my only reservation would be, once the children first come home, they may want to close the doors to visitors for a while, which I would recommend. Then the dc may not want a camera in their faces.
You sound a lovely friend BTW.

What about a hamper of fun treats? My husband has got quite into this and suggests a dark brown wicker hamper lined with gingham and filled with sticker books, bottles of wine for parents and fizzy sweets, flask, teddybear, fruit, crackers etc. Basically the equipment for a picnic.

Or what about a National Trust membership card? They are not too expensive and have lots of gardens with activity days for families. Memory building!

thanks for all the responses, i think i'll go with the photo album idea, as hillyhilly says, you can never have too many photos of your children.

also flowers, what maryz said about flowers when you give birth really struck a chord with me - i got loads when i had my dd, i don't really approve of cut flowers generally, but my friend must have some, i'm so glad you pointed this out.

i also like the wooden letters idea, i'll see how flush i'm feeling - the idea was presents for her, not the children, but since it tickled your heart so much mary i will see what i can do...

thanks again all .

If you do go with the photo album, please, please, please do not take lots of photos the first time you visit, even if the children are happy and pleased to see you, they are adjusting to a new family and will need lots of space to form good attachments.
Adoptive mum of 3 talking, so I know how they will be feeling.

i wasn't going to 'visit'. i was going to go round and take photos then leave. i definitely don't want to get in the way of any attachments. i will only go round if i am welcome, i promise!

We got sent a beautiful rose bush from my Aunt with a rose named "Happy Child"

It made me cry in a good way!