Helping parents with really sick kids

Ever have a friend whose child is hospitalized? I found an excellent resource online today, with a list of things to put in a gift basket for a parent whose child is in the hospital. This is THE LIST I've given a dear friend twice now (thank you - you know who you are!) when a day in the hospital turned into a week. It would greatly bless any friend of yours facing similar difficulty, and may be a good idea for hospitals or even church small groups to provide as a service to those thrust suddenly into need.

Survival items

• phone card for long distance
• tooth brush/tooth paste
• shampoo and hand cream
• small box tissues
• Tylenol (adult)
• sanitary pads
• razor (there are never ANY in the hospital, for whatever reason)
  
• mints, gum, instant breakfast, calming herb tea, chocolate
• trial size antibacterial hand gels
• digital thermometer (paranoid parents always double check)
• a journal for parents to record experiences or medical information
• note cards/writing tablets/envelopes/stamps/several pens

Special touches

• pillow from home
• crayons/coloring book/drawing pad/stickers/book/small kids games
• blanket/tee shirt/hat/underwear
• slippers/soft socks
• coffee mug
• wonderful body refreshing spray - purse size (lemon/citrus is the most universal scent)
• cash, cafeteria gift card and/or parking tickets, gift certificate from hospital gift shop
• a list of nearby restaurants that deliver to the hospital

Services

• Pick up, launder and drop off laundry
• Babysitting of other children
• Offer to organize or pay bills, bring bills to the hospital, or contact service providers such as phone, power, cable, garbage, post office to alert them to the family emergency
• Mow lawn/shovel snow/weed gardens/feed pets
• Make meals for those stuck at home
• Bring homecooked food to your friend who is stuck in the hospital (a friend brought me homemade buffalo chicken pizza at the hospital while Caleb was sick and I will seriously never forget it!)
• Offer to sit with the sick child in the hospital so the parent can run an errand, go outdoors for a few minutes, make phone calls, or get food out of sight of their child, who may be unable or not allowed to eat

Thanks to Ped-Onc Resource Center for the great list!