Gift for a very ill child

[Dilbertian]

I’d like to send a gift to a very ill 10yo in PICU. I was thinking maybe something like a little sparkly mobile? Could such a thing be hung in their line of view, or would there be a place it could be put so they could see it? I cannot visit the child and I do not know their parents. The group we are both involved in is sending a box of cards and gifts.

Any advice or suggestions?

I wouldn’t. It sounds like more hassle for the parents. I would see if the hospital had a costa which accepts gift cards or any cafe which you can get a gift card and get one for the parents if you wanted to do some thing.

To be honest if you don't know the parents and the group you were both involved in is already sending some gifts I don't really think you need to send anything else, I think it might be strange if you do.

What is the age of the child and are there any additional needs?

Depends what age the child is and why they are in ICU?

If you don’t know the child or parents don’t send anything. Besides it’s clutter around the bedspace, that the staff will not appreciate for safety reasons. If you must get done thing, het a voucher for the coffe shop if Costa.

I’m choosing a gift from the group. We’ve decided to send 3-4 things. If the other children had their way, their friends would receive 20 teddies in one go.

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I really think the parents would appreciate the support rather than thinking about items which they then have to sort at the bedside

Ahh I see, that makes more sense! I agree with previous suggestions of a Costa gift card for the parents and a teddy or similar would be nice for the child. I don't know enough about PICU to know if an overhead mobile would be allowed... I'd imagine there's a lot of machinery and wires and it might get in the way.

Agree with Costa/MandS/WHSmith voucher depending on hospital. Kids on PICU can use their own blanket so a cosy washable blanket of you want to give something

What about a lovely Tshirt? PJ's, a cheery little throw/blanket?
Vouchers for parents to the nearest coffee shop or if there's something like an M&S on site or nearby.

I hope the friend makes great progess and gets well soon.

A sparkly mobile sounds something a baby would have? Strange gift idea.

We had 2 groups do this when my 2yo was in a similar situation. It wasn't 'hassle', it was very very much appreciated.

One group made a beautiful handmade blanket and a voucher for the cafe at the hospital. This was practical and thoughtful and very useful at a time when money was limited.

The other group bought fun gifts and that was just as appreciated, though more by my daughter when she was a bit more well and it looked like Christmas in her room. It cheered her up a lot. Some of those toys are still in our lives a few years on. The blanket still gets used frequently and is on the sofa with us right now.

It's a lovely thing you're doing whichever route you decide to go down. It made me feel like the world was rooting for us.

It sounds like the child may be in hospital for a long time so my inclination would be to hold off for a while and buy something for the child later on, something that will entertain them during their recovery.

At the moment it's the parents who need supporting so I would do what others have suggested and buy them vouchers they can use in the hospital for drinks and snacks.

Then, later on, you can buy something for the child, and hopefully you will have a contact with the family who can let you know what would be most helpful

I would maybe send a small photo of the group in a frame and one soft toy for the child. Shows you’re thinking of them but not too much ‘stuff’ for the family to deal with.

Hi I’m a former pediatric picu nurse!
send a blanket a really lovely one with a character or colour they like.
slipper socks that can be worn with wires underneath
a pretty patterned pillow case that’s soft
or a collage of photos for them to stick on their wall.

when the child is a bit better, get one of those giant cards from Moonpig (or similar) with lots of photos of their friends in a collage - it makes a good think to look at / talk about and raises a smile.

I agree with a nice blanket, cute pillow case and something like cosy socks.
Maybe something like a Jellycat bunny soft toy.
Vouchers for the parents (check what shops are actually in the hospital first).

I thought of a mobile because it could catch their eye and give them something to focus on when the child cannot do anything. Adults have mobiles. It depends what the mobile is.

What do you actually mean by mobile?
I'm not sure if what you are thinking of is the same as some of us on the thread are thinking of.

Why don’t you buy them an MP3 player so they can listen to audiobooks and music? Some magazines / puzzle books? A Squishmallow?
They are 10 - they won’t want a mobile.

How about a Tonies or Yoto?

We really appreciated our friends who brought us food in nicu so I think a Costa voucher is a great idea. Also something lovely foR the child, ….why don’t all the friends record a special get well msg on WhatsApp the parents can play ? Then maybe some pjs or a teddy bear

If you get PJ's, get the button down ones, and probably short sleeved. They're much easier to manipulate with wires.

Have a look at pyjamas fairies, they do pyjamas with poppers for children in hospital. They are lovely. And great to wear with wires.

Really don’t do this. It will be a stress for the family to deal with, quite possibly not be possible to find a safe way to hang it, and kids on picu can find too much stimulation disorientating.

Take the advice you’ve been given - blankets and soft toys and collage of pictures of friends. And save some money from the collection for when the child is starting to recover and needs more distraction.