Need your wisdom and suggestions

[FLmommyathome]

I am a part of a Moms group for Moms of 2008 Babies and there are a few of us expecting our seconds in the upcoming months...We want to throw some baby sprinkles for a couple of the moms and here is where we need some wisdom...There is one mom in particular who breastfeeds and cloth diapers and says she doesn't need anything as she is expecting her 2nd boy. What can we give her at her sprinkle??? She doesn't need more cloth diapers and other than a stock of her detergent (Country Save) we are out of ideas. She doesn't have freezer space for food, so that's out...So help me wise mamas!!!

[RedOakMomma]

I like book sprinkles. Every person brings a favorite book with a dedication in it for the baby.

[darkblue0729]

I love the book idea ROM!
Also, consider some personalized crafts or gifts, maybe some extra special diaper cover, or a really cute outfit (it's hard to say no to clothes ), or coupons for meals when the babe gets there and/or coupons for like an hour of babysitting or something-I know that may sound cheesy, but the meals and the free hour to one's self can be a total lifesaver in the haze of new babe-ness

All in all, good luck!

[umsami]

I had a book shower for my 1st...and we are still enjoying the books.

What about going in for a gift certificate for a post-partum massage, plus a gift certificate for somebody to watch the little ones?

Also, although they're not personal,gift cards can be really nice. Could be for Target, Wal-Mart, Publix (as you're in Orlando)... Borders/Barnes & Noble/Amazon, Starbucks, etc. Another option might be that since this is the second... maybe volunteering to help with the older child or something that the Mom and older child could do together? Music Together, My Gym/Little Gym/Gymboree, etc.

Personally, I would have been thrilled with a "I'll take your eldest to the park while you nap" type gift certificate.

[RedOakMomma]

certificates are really nice.

And if this mom doesn't have freezer space, how about a take-out sprinkle? I've done this for friends before...you go to all the local places that have take-outs (not just the greasy ones, but also local delis, cafes, bakeries, etc.), buy a gift certificate, get a menu, and put it together into a take-out menu binder or file. We LOVE our little binder of our favorite dozen-or-so take-out places...makes those rough days a little easier when you know you can get good food easily, yk?

[neonalee]

A close friend of mine was laid off a few months after returning from maternity leave. She said the gift cards she had received from her shower saved her and allowed her to keep getting what she needed for her son. Another friend said some of the best gifts she received (has 2 young kids already) was dinner and babysitting gift certs.

[BreakfastyMichele]

Books and takeout/certificates are great ideas!

For my local friends, I've started organizing meals. So, while you wouldn't have an actual party (and it sounds as if this mama might not want one anyway,) you could schedule all participating mamas to be responsible for one dinner. So she won't have a freezer of food, but she also doesn't have to cook.

We tend to schedule meals for every other day, starting two weeks postpartum.

[FLmommyathome]

I am loving your suggestions, ladies!!! I think we are going to do a combo of a book sprinkle and the take out binder!!!! And then a few of us who live closest are going to sign up to take her toddler for a few hours on a few days in the early weeks to give her a break...Since everyone in the group has a toddler at home, it's kind of cheating because whoever has 2 can get a break whiel the kids play together!!! Thank you so much!!!!

[ivymae]

Good food, good friends, good wine (mother to be can sip) and lots of laughter. if she doesn't need gifts, then make it an opportunity to show her how much support she has, and how many people care about her. Have each friend write her a coupon - everything from a massage, to cleaning the toilet, to taking her other LO for the afternoon, to dinner, etc, etc. Sometimes as second time moms we get it in our heads that we've "done this" before, and we shouldn't have to ask for help, but ohhhhh man, those helping hands make all the difference.