Need ideas for cheerful gifts for a severly sick child...also for the mom?

We just learned that a 3 1/2 year old in our family is very ill. What are some cheerful gifts that would be appropriate? What about the mom that is going through all of this? I don't want to send flowers or anything else that would just remind them of being ill, rather something that would take away from the "get well" theme, rather just show encouragement to stay strong.

Need ideas for cheerful gifts for a severly sick child...also for the mom?
For the mom - how about either cooking some dinners, or arranging for some dinners to be delivered, or even gift certificates to take out places.... I'm sure cooking is the last thing she wants to focus on, and it will lift that burden for her.





For the child.... I'm not sure how incapacitated he/she is.... but maybe some arts and crafts projects, or a Leapster to play video games (they have preschool educational games) or any toy that would interest the child would cheer them up.





I'm so sorry to hear about the ill child, I pray for a speedy recovery!
Reply:We recently had a sick child in our mom's group and we all gathered things to give the child and family. They had to spend a lot of time both in the hospital and going for outpatient procedures so we all cooked some meals for them so they didn't have to rely on fast food. Some were frozen and some we took over there fresh. We also took things such as Nutrigrain bars and healthy snacks to have in the hospital. One person got a small cute stuffed toy and had her priest say a blessing over it for the child. If the person is at all religious, this is a wonderful idea. Books and movies and music are also really great to pass the time. If they don't have a portable DVD player, you may want to get something like that. They are quite reasonably priced nowadays. We also got them gas cards since the trip to the hospital got expensive. I know it isn't a fun gift, but it was much appreciated, especially with gas prices these days. Even the best insurance doesn't cover that!
Reply:it deped on how the child is sick u dont want to get things the child CANT do


maybe puzzles


books


movies


something the child can put together all by theirselves


like an artsy crafty thing





for the mom


make dinner or give her a minute to get things done and stay with the child


run errrands


just do whatever she needs


i wouldnt get something persay i would ask what she needs b4 getting little knicknacks or flowers i am sure she NEEDS soemthing more helpful than flowers i dunno u just gotta talk to the family


hope i was helpful


and the child is in our prayers!!!!!!!!
Reply:Books for the little one, dvds, playdough, anything by leap frog, potato head, coloring books,


For mom, offer to stay with the child so they can go to lunch or dinner, gift cards to dinner, clean her house, do laundry, make dinners, books/magazines, mani/peti gift cards, food brought to the hospital.


i had a sick child and all of those things were very helpful.


Hope the little one is better soon!
Reply:Music for the little one. There are a multitude of kids cd's out there that have all the favorites to sing along with.


For the mom - gift card for a massage or manicure/pedicure.
Reply:Any toy that can easily be played in bed. Also, a BIG book so Mom/Dad/G-parents can take turns reading. Maybe some coloring books. I don't think children really know how sick they are or understand the severity of it. So toys in general will cheer them up.





For the mom, if I were her you would probably have to sedate me to leave my child if it's that bad. So perhaps if they are at a hospital, bring her lunch or offer to sit with the child while she goes and gets a bite to eat or whatever she needs to do.
Reply:For the child - movies, sticker books, board games, books, stuffed animals, puzzles, Play Doh





For the mom - food/restaurant gift certificates