If you were putting together a food/baby package

@4cuteboys (4099)
United States
April 16, 2007 2:29pm CST
For a mother that doesnt eat well, what would you put in it? Some backround: She has a 3 year old son, and is pregnant. Her husband just left her high and dry, and she has a low-moderate income job, but is struggling. She feeds the 3 year old well but doesnt seem to eat well herself. She doesn't want to get on any assistance, so I thought I would make her a basket with foods and items for the 3 year old and soon to be baby. What do you think I should put in it? I'm looking to spend around $120, or a little more. It can be little toys ect for the 3 year old too. THANKS!
5 people like this
9 responses
@Swtrose (3385)
• Canada
16 Apr 07
Perhaps another thing that you could do is make up some dishes for her yourself that she could freeze and heat in the microwave. You might want to invite her over for dinner too or drop by with dinner.
3 people like this
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
16 Apr 07
Ooooh that is a great idea too. I love it! :) I would have never thought of that myself.
1 person likes this
@camar_lyn (1028)
• Singapore
16 Apr 07
She is truly blessed to have a friend like you. The first thing that i can think of is diapers clothes and baby food. If you want to stretch your dollar a little further and you have the time, there are somethings that you can DIY. You can make frozen baby food so the mom saves time and money. You can choose from fruits to vegetables for snacks or small kids meals. Pack them into sanitised recycled containers with labels and dates. You can also put together a frozen meal that is for the mom (or both she and the baby can have it together) and she can re-heat it in the oven anytime while she attends to her toddler. Examples would be, fried rice, pastas, sandwiches, noodles, soups, etc.. What's great about this is you can keep it for yourself and that might even save you 1 week's cooking! Hope this helps. - Lyn
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I think you are a very sweet friend for wanting to do this but I'm not sure if this is the best way. Unless you know for sure her likes and dislikes you may end up wasting a lot of money on foods she simply doesn't like. Also many of the foods she needs the most now should be fresh so your gift won't last very long. Perhaps you can do something similar but still leave the choices up to her. Look for a book about nutrition for expectant and new moms and present that to her along with a gift certificate to the grocery store and a few basic personal care items for her and her son. If you still want to purchase the food items yourself, buy peanut butter, real fruit juices, healthy low sodium soups, and oatmeal. If you're sure she has the freezer space buy her some meat and bread. Boxed cereals can make an easy, healthy breakfast or snack but not if you can't afford milk, oatmeal can be made with water. My other suggestion is for you to keep her in mind while fixing your own meals and doing your own shopping. Save out a few extra portions of your meals to bring to her. When you see a buy one get one free deal on things you buy, give her the extras.
2 people like this
@itkasp (266)
• Australia
17 Apr 07
You are truly a wonderful friend. She is so blessed to have a friend like you. For the baby, you could buy nappies. I guess she already has baby clothes, because she has a son already. For the toddler, you can buy baby food packages, cereal, can of milk and maybe some children books. For the mother, you might want to buy frozen meal, or you could cook a bit more and give her some. However, I think, what she needs at the moment is that your friendship. When she knows your care and concern, she will really appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
17 Apr 07
Well, what i think you're doing is awesome - i wonder why there aren't more friends like you out there. I would recommend buying up big on meats from the butcher, they can be wrapped separately & put in her freezer - you can also never have enough bread or milk, so maybe get a few loaves of bread & if you have them there - UHT milk - the stuff that stores in the cupboard - they're always helpful! Get mostly stuff that doesn't take long to eat & someone said something about soups - if you like to cook - you could make up a thick pumpkin soup or something like that coz it can be frozen. Maybe some of those frozen healthy meals that you can microwave would be a good idea. Maybe some things for her to snack on if she's not in the mood to eat - muesli bars are good & a lot of the breakfast bars or muffins would go down well. Go with some fruit boxes/juice boxes for the little guy, some fruit bars, maybe go to the dollar store & grab a blackboard with some chalk (my 4 yr old niece loves hers), biscuits, a cheap DVD if you can find one maybe. I'm not really sure what $120 USD is worth (I'm in Australia) but definintely quick meals, snacks & maybe you could make extra if you have a casserole dish one night so you can send some of that over for her too. You're being such a wonderful friend, i wish i had a friend like you!
@Mikki2 (179)
• United States
17 Apr 07
You sound like a very good and thoughtful person. Look at garage sales for supplies for the newborn. You can get receiving blankets sometimes for a quarter a piece along with gowns and lots of other stuff. As far as food, the easier the better. A lot of times its just too much trouble to have to stand on your feet and cook after you have worked all day and then have to take care of a 3 year old. Mac. & cheese, rice and mushroom soup is great tasting and filling. The frozen meat might not be so great, you have to take it out to defrost and is easy to forget to do when you are trying to get yourself and an infant ready in the morning. God bless.
1 person likes this
@lafavorito (2959)
• Philippines
17 Apr 07
Try putting inside the basket some easy to prepare foods like cereals for the kid, some biscuits, oatmeal bars and juices. For the mom, you could give her a recipe book that focuses on foods that can be prepared in an hour or less, you said she is pregnant, if there are milk for pregnant women in your area like gerber mom include a couple of boxes in the basket too. Also if you boys have some toys or clothes that they do not use anymore you could give it to them I'm sure the kid will like them. Finally is you can help her find a higher paying job or a social group that can help her please do so, the basket of food & toys will be empty in a month but a higher paying job will support them better financially.
• United States
17 Apr 07
Fruits, juices, milks and cheeses. Healthy snacks for the little one like raisins, fruit snacks, cheerios. I would also put some canned lunches in there like spaghettios, ravioli, soups. Pudding, jello cups and yoghurt. Yoghurt is going to be good for her since she's pregnant. Peanut butter, jam, a loaf of bread. Dried goods like mac & cheese, those dry box dinners where all you need to add is chicken or meat. I would really focus on filling it with things that will last her, or help her out on weeks when she can only afford the necessities. You can build a pretty big basket out of $120. if you shop in the right places, like Big Lots, Dollar General, etc., for snack foods, cereals, juices, and some canned goods. What a wonderful gesture!
@Dana5881 (609)
• United States
16 Apr 07
Oh, the poor thing. I bet she is very sad and depressed and it may be the reason she is not eating well. I would put some baby formula in the basket, a couple of newborn things like bottles, nipples, blankies and for herself I would put maybe some gift cards so she can buy whatever she wants. I would also maybe put a pair of earrings or a perfume for her so that she can feel good about herself and start treating herself better. You are very thoughtful to do this for her. It's not Courtney is it? Just kidding
1 person likes this