| I'm sure you won't be exactly shocked if I tell you that | | | | gifts you can give a new mom is a certificate for a |
| being a new mom is HARD. Caring for a newborn is | | | | cleaning service or for meal delivery for the first few |
| truly one of the hardest things I've ever done. When it's | | | | weeks. Or, if you're close friends, you can volunteer to |
| time to pamper a new mom, new mom gifts can be | | | | help her with chores, including cleaning, cooking, doing |
| great - but they should be thoughtful. While flowers are | | | | the laundry and running errands. |
| always nice, thinking outside the box and coming up | | | | 4. Listen to her. Sometimes, the best thing to do for a |
| with ways to truly pamper and help a new mom will | | | | new mom is simply to listen. Being a new mom is |
| be very much appreciated. | | | | overwhelming, extremely tiring, and often - |
| 5 ways to support a new mom: | | | | unfortunately - a very isolating experience. Being there |
| 1. Give her a break. One of the best gifts you can give | | | | for the new mom and listening to her - truly listening - is |
| a new mom is time for herself. A wonderful new mom | | | | an amazing gift. Try to practice active listening - truly |
| gift: a homemade certificate that gives her your | | | | listen to what she is saying, focusing on her rather than |
| babysitting services for those stressful first few | | | | on yourself (this is more difficult than it sounds!) and |
| weeks. She doesn't even need to leave the house! But | | | | definitely avoid giving advice unless she specifically |
| by being there you enable her to go take a long | | | | asks for it. |
| shower, or maybe a long nap. Both are rare for a new | | | | 5. Create a support network. Not all new moms are |
| mom and will feel like heaven. | | | | lucky enough to have a supportive network of other |
| 2. Give her something for herself. Many new mom | | | | moms. If you're in the position to do so, it would be |
| gifts are actually gifts for the baby, and that's fine - | | | | extremely helpful for the new mom if you help her |
| new parents certainly need lots of baby products, and | | | | surround herself with such a group of moms. If |
| are very appreciative of gifts such as baby clothes, | | | | possible, arrange for local meetings in person. |
| baby products or even diapers or a diaper service. But | | | | Otherwise, encourage her to visit online blogs and |
| during those first few months, moms often forget to | | | | forums for new moms. While not a replacement for |
| take care of themselves - they become so absorbed | | | | real-life connections, they can be very helpful. |
| in taking care of the baby. Giving the new mom a | | | | Becoming a mom for the first time is an intense, |
| pampering gift for herself, such as a spa basket, would | | | | consuming experience. As a friend, the best thing you |
| truly make her happy. | | | | can do for a new mom is to be there for her, |
| 3. Similarly to a babysitting certificate, one of the best | | | | understand her needs and truly support her. |