Gift Ideas to Help a Struggling Mum?

[ALS94]

My friend is really struggling at the moment with 2 kids under 3, I've had many tearful conversations with her and today seems to be her lowest.

I have offered to look after her children for a couple of hours so she gets a sanity break, offered to clean, take her out of dinner, a drive etc but she always says no, I know it's because she feels like a burden even though I tell her all the time I want to help and one day it will be me who is asking her for help so she can return the favour.

I am thinking of putting a gift basket together for her to leave on her doorstep so she can't refuse, with her fav chocolate, sweets, cans of coke etc but I don't know what else to include. I was thinking face mask and bubble bath but she says she barely has time to shower so I know she wouldn't end us using it. Can anyone recommend some ideas? I don't have lots of money so it would have to be fairly cheap and easy to find things

TIA x

You’re sweet for doing this OP. How about convenience foods that she can eat on the go which will save her time? Breakfast bars, crackers, nuts, packets of olives could be an idea and they’re all quite cheap.

A nice shower gel instead? Some pretty fairy lights (and some batteries). A magazine or book?

Maybe you could put some vouchers in for future favours. Then she can exchange them when she feels able to use the help

Take her a meal that just needs to go in the oven.

Organise a time to go round and just be there with her. You can hold baby / play with toddler etc.

What about a cleaning voucher? Also like PP ready meals etc. Anything that makes life a bit easier. You're a great friend, she's very lucky to have you

If you're very close ask what time you could pop over for a cup of tea. When you get there hand her s bottle of bubble bath and a bar of chocolate and send her to the bath for an hour

Or ring up one morning and say wrap the kids up pop them in the buggy I want to take them to the park.

The easier you make it fit her to say yes the more likely she feels comfortable to accept the help

I'm not a struggling mum but I am a mum to two young children age 1 and 3 the things I'd like would be
Wine !
Bath stuff,
One of those trays that goes on the bath so you can rest a book/iPad and a drink.
Just eat voucher.
A voucher for a beauty treatment or a massage .
A hamper of bits and bobs that remind me of the friendship.
Obviously not asking for these things for me 😂 just some ideas from a mother of two small demons!