Mom & Siblings of Sick Kids

Would you consider hiring a cleaning service gift certificate instead? I'll bet that mom would love to get the house deep cleaned...

Gift cards to restaurants near the hospital/home (wherever the child is staying), or restaurants that deliver to the hospital/home.

If you are close by and in the position to do it, offer childcare.

I would suggest gathering some of her friends and neighbors to make some meals that can be frozen. It was such a relief for me to NOT have to use the crock pot all the time to ensure we had a good meal when my daughters (twins) were born prematurely.

Perhaps organizing some play dates for her other kid(s) would be helpful. That helps the sibs feel a bit special.

I, personally would have found the idea of a maid somewhat invasive...but I am strange that way! lol. You know your friend best.

Also, do NOT underestimate nice notes/cards etc inviting the mom to just call and talk. And please, DO talk to her about 'normal' things too! When one of my twins was VERY ill, it seemed that many of my friends could not talk to me about 'their kiddos - and things like ear infections etc - as they felt their concerns were trivial in comparison. *I* still had other kiddos as well, with those more typical concerns, and it felt good for me to talk about 'typical' things as well.

If this is going to be a long term issue, little notes and cards once in a while, just letting her know she is still in your thoughts and prayers are SO meaningful.

I wish your friend (and her child) well. Sending healing thoughts and prayers. You are a good friend for thinking of her. Just remember, it is probably NOT a sprint, but a marathon.

Pace yourself!

Card games to pass the time in the hospital, gift card if they have an ipad/kindle, gift card to easy fastfoot (depending on the illness the person may not be able to eat certain foods), dollar tree has alot of great coloring items, card games, etc for little kiddos. The cleaning session is a good idea but depending on what illness the person has the house may need to be cleaned a cetain way and/or the family may not want a stranger/germs in the house.

Some herbal teas and a bottle of wine. A DVD for mom and a kids' DVD.
Some chocolate and a good book.

As the wife of a Marine who was in the hospital for a LONG time and the mother of a child who has made many trips for tests to diagnosis celiac disease I can tell you what I preferred...

#1 NOT TO FEEL ABANDONED AND ALL ALONE! Don't wait for her to call and don't feel like you are intruding on her time by calling her. If she's busy, she won't answer. Call her, and talk. Ask about the sick child, but don't focus on that. Talk about normal stuff and help her be normal. Find some way to get her out to go out WITH YOU to have fun. I didn't want time alone, I wanted time with friends, but I never got offerred that. Everyone kept trying to give me alone time. What I really needed was to have to spend just one night with friends feeling like I was somewhat normal.

Other things I really liked: company at the hospital, HEALTHY snacks and breakfast foods I could take with me on the go. Gift cards to HEALTHY fast food places like Panera or Subway, etc. You get junk food overload.

Something sentimental she can hang on to, like a card, a charm bracelet, a neckalce. A piece of jewelry or charm or key chain or such she could carry with to remind her you care and to give her hope, strength, comfort.

For the kids (and in a way for her) gift card to iTunes if she has an iPad or such. Go to a high-end toy store and look at the travel type toys. Ask for help too. They will give you great ideas. Toys for car or plane travel would be great for when they have to go with her to the doctor's office or hospital and also would be great for the sick child for the same reason. For ex.: removable stickers with scenes that also stick on windows, lacing cards, find it games.

Don't forget to buy something for the sick child too.

If you live nearby, an offer to babysit, clean house, GROCERY SHOP, prepare meals. You could make them the offers as cute coupons with graphics. You do that phone calls too, to remind her she should call you anytime she needs to. I used to talk myself out of calling friends because I would convince myself they were tired of hearing about my husband's injuries and hospital stay because it had been so long (as is the case with your friend's child).

Bless you for doing this. Most of all, be her friend. Don't forget to call her and visit her! Mom's of sick children (or husbands) need to be more than just the mom of a sick child. They need to be seen as a person too, and friends are the only ones who can do that for them! Treat her like a normal person as often as you can ans treat her to outings as a normal person or at least moments as a normal person! That's THE most important thing you can do for her.

i love catwalk's suggestion of meals. it's good to check first- not everyone has a deep freeze with room to store a few frozen casseroles, but if they do, they're a lifesaver.
the maid idea is perfect for some folks, intrusive for others. i myself would swoon with gratitude, but a more stringent housekeeper might be insulted, or feel the need to oversee the cleaning person and be more stressed.
teas, candles, aromatherapy stuff (unless there are fragrance sensitivities). books if you know her well enough to pick. a beautiful throw blanket to snuggle in. a gift certificate for a personal chef to come in and create a family meal (i had that after i gave birth to my 2nd, what a treat!)
khairete
S.

Cards, travel sized games, Uno, play-do, arts and crafts projects, chap stick, bottles of water and water packets, colored pencils, markers, regular pencils, water bottles, lotion, etc.

Art kit. Art is so therapeutic! And perhaps find out what candy/snacks he/she is allowed. A movie, too!
And don't forget to give mom a huge hug- she's going through a scary time. Don't underestimate what comfort a loving friend can bring!

Kudos on being so caring Lima Bean!

I really like the idea of a cleaning session.

I think your ideas are great! As a mama that has spent many hours in doctors offices with kids enduring a chronic condition, I would say that art supplies are great gifts, and so are snacks for kids!
You could fill a cute lunch bag with snack bags of goldfish crackers, granola bars, pretzels, a couple of juice boxes or a little water bottle. My daughter got this as a gift and LOVED it! She carried it everywhere with her. :) Here is the link to the bag that we have. So cute!
http://www.target.com/p/skip-hop-zoo-lunchie-kids-and-tod...

I would add a bag of good trail mix, a bottle or two of water and some mints to the care package. Sometimes doctors are delayed and something to snack on would be great to hold you over until the next meal.

If she has an i-pad or Kindle, get her gift cards for i-tunes/Google play so she can download some fresh music, apps or movies. I also liked Suz's idea of a beautiful, cozy throw for chilly waiting rooms.

It's so nice of you to do this for your friend. I'm sure this must me a very difficult time for her. Sending hope and prayers for your friend.

gift cards to pizza places or ice cream places, DVD's or a gift card for an online movie service like netflix, small books that can be tucked into a bag or pocket book to read to toddler when there's a spare minute.