What can you say to someone after they just lost their baby?

gift for baby memorial image

I39

She was a newborn w/ severe birth defects who only lived 16 hours. We will be seeing them tomorrow at the funeral for the first time since she died. What can be said that might be comforting in some way?

Answer
You don't. You simply hug them and let them grieve. The WORST thing that you can say is "It was meant to be..." No, it was not in their eyes. Nothing you can say will ease the pain but hugging them will. Your presence is enough. Later, you may send them a gift that helps them grieve:
www.labelledame.com/miscarriage-infant-loss.html
Miscarriage and infant loss memorial jewelry to recognize the loss of a baby, and offers the grieving mother a delicate reminder of her baby. It is this website that has things like this.
Just a thought. But your being there is enough. Mind your p's and q's and do not say anythng like, "He's in heaven" or such. They don't want to hear that, a zillion others told them that already. They just want to grieve. Say "I'm so sorry, I'm here for you." hug them and be there.

I need a list of events that you would take a cake to.?

kirstyn_si

What type of events would you be asked to bring your BEST dessert? Birthdays, holiday get-to-gethers?

The person that gives the biggest list gets the 10 points!

Thanks!

Answer
Birthday party
Anniversary party
Bar mitzvah
Bat Mitzvah
Christmas party
Boxing day party
New baby party
New Years eve party
New years day dinner
Halloween party
Thanksgiving dinner
Engagement party
Wedding rehearsal dinner
Return from honeymoon party
Wedding gift opening party
Valentine's dinner
First (or 4th) of July party
Retirement party
Town's bicentennial celebration
Graduation party
Baby shower
Wedding shower
Divorce party
End of season party
Awards banquet
Pot luck at the in-laws
Pot luck at work
Monthly meeting at community centre
Mortgage burning party
Thank-you party for volunteers
Open house
House warming
Backyard barbecue
Picnic
Going away party
Barn dance
Christening
Garden party
TGIF party
Sweet 16
Vow Renewal
Wake
School or Church Bake Sale
Retirement Party
Dinner Party
Intimate Dinner for Two
Holiday Party
Surprise Party
A âJust Becauseâ Party
Luncheon
Easter Dinner
Sporting event
card party
fundraiser
Recital party
St. Patrick's day celebration
Smelt fry
Family reunion
Class reunion
Promotion congratulations party
New job celebration party
Smelt Fry
Church dinner
New pastor or priest party
Welcoming a new neighbour to the neighbourhood
Kwanzaa
Shrove Tuesday party
Mother's day party
Father's day party
Grandparent's day dinner
Grading day celebration
Labour day picnic
Remembrance day celebration
Memorial service

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How can you get cigarette smoke out of a new coat without washing it?

gift for baby boy 3 years old image

Victoria

Is it possible to make a brand new baby's snowsuit smell fresh again after it has been exposed to cigarette smoke in a heavy smoker's house? Earlier this summer I got a deal on baby clothes. My niece had just had a baby boy in July. A few years ago, I had been laid off for a while and didn't have extra money to buy my son Christmas presents. My church helped us out and we were so grateful. Besides something small my mother gave him, those were the only gifts he got that year. When I saw all these beautiful marked down clothes, I bought extra girl's clothes thinking that I could make some family's Christmas this year just like someone for us a few years ago.

One of the items I got was a snowsuit. This is a beautiful snowsuit that is rated to keep a baby warm in temperatures as low as minus 15. I haven't seen my niece in about 3 years, and have never seen either her two year old daughter or her newborn son, even though she lives only about 20 miles away from me.

I stopped by my sister-in-law's house last week to deliver the presents I bought for the new baby. I didn't go into the house because all the clothes were together in a bag, and I wanted to keep the clothes I was going to donate smelling nice. When I gave my sister-in-law the boys clothes for her daughter, she saw the snowsuit. She said that my niece wouldn't care that it was for a girl. It wasn't really that frilly. I was reluctant to leave it for her daughter's approval because my sister-in-law, her younger daughter and her husband are heavy smokers and things that go into their house, even casually, come out smelling awful. She seemed so excited about the snowsuit, though, I let her keep it for her daughter's approval.

I talked to her today and her daughter doesn't want it. The snowsuit is red, yellow and blue, sort of Russian-looking with flowers and firebirds. Because of the flowers, my niece thinks it's too girly. I would like to donate it to the church as I had originally intended, but I know that after spending a week in their house it has gone from being a nice gift to a stinking mess.

Is there anyway I can make this snowsuit smell nice enough for a baby again? I don't want to wash it, because then it wouldn't be new anymore. I would like this beautiful snowsuit to keep some child warm this winter, and I would like it to be a nice gift. Any advice you can give will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
T.B. I'll try that as soon as I pick it up. I'll pick some up on the way. You've jump-started my brain. If Fabreez doesn't work, maybe Dry-el will. Thanks.
Nowadays, boys' clothes and girls' clothes are substantially different. When I was a baby in the 1950s any baby would have worn that suit. My snowsuit was blue with a teddy bear on it. It would be considered a "boys" suit now. My dad was born in 1919 and wore dresses when he was a baby. I didn't really plan on giving it to my niece, but I was happy to help because her mother said she needed one. My son would have worn that suit. Little babies don't care if the motif on their suit is "teddy" flavor or "birdie" flavor. They are just happy to be warm.
Thanks to everyone for some very good ideas. I think I'll try leaving it outside first, then Fabreze and outside again. If all else fails I'll try Dryel. I wouldn't have thought of the Dryel without your suggestions of Fabreze. Smoke odor can stay in an item for months. When I was a girl, the woman who sewed my school uniforms was a heavy smoker. Sometimes my mother would get my uniforms in June, and the smoke odor would still be there in September. I feel more confident now that I can get of the smoke odor out of the snowsuit if I use some updated methods along with the tried and true method of airing it in the fresh breeze. Thank you so much.

Answer
I vote for a combination of two previous answers! First, hang the snowsuit outside. Hang it outside for several days. Bring it in at night so it doesn't get wet with dew. When you bring it in, spray it with Fabreez. (My favorite is the "Clean Linen" scent.) Hang it outside the next day. It would be best to hang it in the shade so the sun doesn't fade it. After 3 days of hanging it outside and spraying it with Fabreez when you bring it in for the night, I would think the smoke smell would be gone.

You are such a sweetheart to want to give the snowsuit to someone who really needs it!

Your 'Additional Details' reminded me of when my two were little. I had a girl and then a boy, born 13 months apart. Money was tight back then! My daughter had a fuzzy pink coat that she received as a birthday gift when she turned one. When she outgrew it, I put it on my son. He wore "The Pink Coat" until he outgrew it! Now he is 39, tall, strong, and very good looking -- but he has a kind and gentle side. Whenever someone comments on what a nice guy he is, he always says, "It is because I wore 'The Pink Coat'!"

Let's keep those babies warm!

What can daddy do while mommys pregnant?

Mommy2baga

Ok, my husband and I wanted a baby long before we got married. I have a 3 year old girl, and he has a 3 year old boy. We've been married ten months and i'm 5 months pregnant. Problem is, daddy is so not involved in this. he goes to my doctors appts and all, but i want him to be active. help with the gift registry, planning the shower, choosing a name and picking out the baby stuff. What can i do to make this more interesting for him?

Answer
dont worry. guys dont give for baby showers and that stuff. but its normal for a guy to do that. they dont realize tht we are tugging around a huge watermelon for 9 months and our emotions are sky high.

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What else should I include in the present for the baby?

gift for baby who has everything image

Little mis

So far I have
A vest
Onsie
Scratch mittens
Booties
Bib
Dummy
And it's set up in a White box and I'm going to finish adding pieces then tie it with a white ribbon
It's a gift for my aunt and she decided not to know the sex of the baby so everything is unisex.

Answer
I think what you have sounds great but if you really want to add more, you could add a pacifier, teether, or a little toy, and a card. But I think what you have is great!

What is a good gift idea for a baby shower?

Chingona

My friend is having a girl and I want to find a creative gift, not just baby clothes or blankets.

Answer
I read this in a baby magazine, and I thought it was the perfect idea.

If you think about it, everyone will probably be getting something for the baby, but I think it would be awesome to get the soon-to-be mom a gift.

Something that will benefit her while she is pregnant, whether its a sleep pillow to help ease her strain when she is farther along, whether its an at home spa treatment type of gift, (her favorite body wash, loofa, candle, lotion, etc for those difficult days of pregnancy)

I just thought it was a great idea. The expecting mother will apreciate it father down the line. :)

Plus, with my baby shower, I had so many things for the baby, I didnt have much space to store everything! we had so so so so so many blankets, I have a whole stack my daughter hasnt even used, and shes 10 months old.

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Gift ideas for friends and family throwing me a baby shower ?

best baby gift ideas image

Jessica T

Any gift ideas for those putting together my baby shower? I thought I would get them something to say thanks for all their time and efforts.

Answer
You can get some personalised portraits or pictures done for them at http://www.paintyourlife.com. Get some nice, meaningful photos and send them to this companyâs professional artists, who will turn them into classical-looking oil paintings or other types of portraits. They have great gift ideas for every occasion!
They also do wonderful photo-printing on canvas in different designs. Please take a look at http://www.photo-print-on-canvas.com for more information.

Does anyone have any unique baby shower gift ideas?

CC

One of my bff's is pregnant with her 3rd child and the baby shower is this coming Saturday. What are some unique gift ideas other than the usual (pampers, bottles, etc.) ?

Answer
If you have alot of photos of her, make her a photo book. Make the first half have really old pictures and the second half new pictures. Make it like a time line that documents special events in yours lives together a friends before and after kids. http://www.smilebooks.com has another good promotion going on right now, it might be worth checking out.

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How do I decline a baby shower invitation?

gift for hostess baby shower image

sara

My bosses wife is having a baby shower scheduled on Valentines Day. I just got the invitation and I have plans with my Valentine for that day. What is the proper way to decline the invitation? Do I still get her a gift? How should I give her the gift- have it shipped to her house or drop it off with the hostess of the shower? I regret not being able to go because of the work relationship, but besides that I don't really care. Thank you in advance for your response.

Answer
Just rsvp as indicated on the invitation that you can't make it. It's pretty silly to schedule a baby shower on Valentine's Day, anyway. You should send a nice card to the mother-to-be or, if you want to, send a gift, but you are in no way required to. If you want to get a gift (and there are a lot of small things that are useful for new parents) I would send it to or drop it off with the hostess so the mother can get it the day of her shower.

Should I give a gift to the hostess of my baby shower?

Misty

As the Mom-to-be should I buy gifts for the hosts of my baby shower?

Answer
I think that's a nice idea. How about a nice thank you card with a gift certificate in it for a nail/hair salon.

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is flying my brother in town a good gift for my moms bday?

gift for mom 50 image

Q. Its going to be my moms 50th and I want to get here a good gift. Would flying my brother into town ok or should I get here something else?
Thanks Mav, Im going to do it. Its a few hundred bucks but its worth the smile on her face when she sees him.

Answer
That would be an AWESOME gift.
Just make sure you keep it a surprise and she will love it that much more!

What should I get my mom for her birthday?

chrisdcraz

My moms 50th birthday is coming up very soon and I have no idea what to get her, I want it to be special but not to expensive, and gift certificates are getting boring. Any suggestions?
Just wanted to add that her favorite past time and something that she really enjoys doing is gardening, she's also an Elvis fan just in case that may help with ideas.
Also wanted to add that my price range is $50-$100 or less than $50 for multiple items.

Answer
I have four children and what I would love most in the world is just to spend time with them. Take her out to her favorite resturant and spend time with her. Most mothers would love their children to spend time with them. Or if you do take her to dinner, bring one red rose (if she likes roses, or any type of flower.) This shows you care enough to do something special for her. If she likes dancing, take her out dancing. Mothers love to spend time with their children. I think so anyway, especially when the children get older and they have their own lives. Mothers want their children to always want to spend time with them.

Ann t.

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What can I put in a baby basket for a baby shower?

best gift for baby and mom image

Bethany

I want to get my cousin a good gift for her baby shower. Yea she has a registry, but I don't want to get her something that she is not going to be surprised at. So what are some of the best gifts other mothers have gotten for their baby showers? Any ideas of what I could do?

Answer
If she is a first time mom give her practical things. She will probably get lots of tiny clothes, so if you want to go in that direction get her something size 12 months or bigger because she will get less big sizes and those clothes will last longer.
I looooved my Bumbo chair for both my kids. Totally awesome!! It helps babies as young as 3 months sit up.
Another option is to get an infant bathtub and fill it will all sorts of cute washcloths, towels, lotions, babywash, bath toys, etc.
You can also give her a spa gift certificate so she can get a pedicure or prenatal massage. I got one of each when I was pregnant and it was an awesome unexpected treat.

What would a newborn mom want right after she has the baby?

My hubby a

I work for a state medical insurance, and we are trying to figure out what we can give to newborn moms we are giving the newborns baby stuff and a gift card for baby's r us, but what about the moms what are some ideas to give them? Bath robe, slippers, nice lotions, candles etc? Something to make them feel good and not forgotten with the newborn and all?
The majority of these women are low income moms thats why they are on state medicaid programs

Answer
You are talking about buying this stuff using my tax dollars? I work for a living and ended up with a $3000 hospital bill (insurance only paid a portion) and what did my state buy me? NOTHING.

Why is tax money being wasted on presents? We just gave her the "present" of a baby & pregnancy that she didn't have to pay for.

Why is it that I get to work harder, take more jobs, can't afford to have another baby, yet if I would only stop working and leave my husband, I could get a day at the spa. I sure as heck can't afford it now.

If it is my tax money, then I say buy her birth control and parenting classes so I don't end up paying for her kid to have kids they can't afford either.

What crap. When are we going to stop REWARDING people who make bad choices? WHEN?

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i need help for christmas i cant afford any thing this year ?

christmas gift for mom under 30 image

Paige M

I live in temecula CA. I cant afford christmas this year what should i do. If you know some one who can help me with my situation please leave a comment. thank you!

Answer
A Do-It-Yourself Christmas: 34 Great Gifts You Can Make Yourself
Thursday, 13th November 2008 (by J.D.)
This article is about DIY, Frugality, Hints and Tips, Shopping

If you're new here, you may want to learn what this site is about. I encourage you to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Last month, I asked readers to share their favorite frugal Christmas ideas. You responded with over a hundred fantastic tips. One common theme for saving money and adding meaning during the holiday season was to make gifts yourself.

My wife and I are lucky to have many crafty friends. Every year, Iâm delighted to see what they create for the holiday season. I drew on our own experience, pulled some of your best tips from the past, and scoured the web for new ideas, in order to produce the following mammoth list of do-it-yourself Christmas gifts. But remember: in order to complete many of these, you need to get started soon. Enjoy!

1. Almost everyone loves homemade truffles, says Mo. âMy husband and I made them last year, and they were a big hit. I had no idea how easy to make they were, and we covered them with different kinds of crushed nuts and such. It was really fun! We then went and bought blank little white boxes and I decorated them with just some wrapping paper (glued) and ribbon. I think all together, we made about 15 boxes of truffles (9 truffles each box) for under $30. And we used good chocolate to boot!â Upside? Yum! Downside? They should be made only a short time before giving, and eaten soon after. If youâve never made truffles before, try this recipe from Alton Brown.

2. JM has a great suggestion, one that many of you may have already seen: â[My mom] gives some people unbaked, made-from-scratch cookie kits. Basically she gets most of the dry ingredients to her favorite cookie recipes together, along with a mason jar, a note card, and some âcountryâ style ribbons. She then layers all the dry ingredients in the mason jar, screws on the lid and prints the recipe on the notecard in an old-fashiony looking font, and then ties it to the jar with the ribbon. The result is cool looking, because the ingredients are layered in the jar.â

3. Create a secret hollow book. Find a cheap musty old classic at your nearby Goodwill or used bookstore. Glue the pages together, use an X-Acto knife to hollow out the center of the book. Now the recipient can store his treasures!

4. Martha Stewart has a great idea: create a recipe booklet containing a collection of your favorite holiday recipes, and then include it with a small assortment of samples. âPass your culinary traditions on to your friends.â

5. Live in a cold climate? Give your friends the gift of warmth with a homemade hand warmer. If you know how to make a beanbag, you know how to make a hand warmer. Use wool or cashmere or felt material, but instead of filling the bags with beans, fill them with ceramic pie weights. To use these toasty treasures, simply microwave them for a couple of minutes and then slip them in your pockets.

6. Itâs difficult to go wrong with themed gift baskets. Did you can your own pasta sauce over the summer? Use a colander for a basket, add some garlic bulbs, gourmet noodles, and a wooden spoon â a little taste of Italy. Or consider a breakfast basket. Or a breakfast basket (syrup and pancake mix), a movie basket (popcorn, candy, and a movie rental coupon), or a gardening basket (a trowel, a gardening hat, and some packets of seeds).

7. If youâre artistic, GRS-reader Beck suggests giving memory drawings: âDraw a very simple black-and-white picture of a memory that you have of you and the person (e.g. me and my dad playing NES back in the day). This could be a very simple (think Shel Silverstein) drawing. Frame it and gift. The great thing about this (besides being cheap) is that you can give it multiple times to the same person. They will have a growing collection of âmemory drawingsâ from you.â Beck reports this gift is very well received by family members.

8. Elizabeth has another artistic idea, one that was very popular with readers when she suggested it: âIâm a graphic designer, so this year Iâm creating a booklet that Photoshops my 6-year-old nephew onto cheap stock photos of world landmarks, such as the Great Wall, so it looks like heâs traveled the world.â This home-made travel brochure is perfect for adventurous young minds. (Come to think of it, I think one of those would be fun for me â and Iâm no longer youngâ¦)

9. Give the gift of experience. The Gift Weblog suggests, âThereâs nothing like giving someone the gift of experience, it is something they will always remember.â Sample gifts of experience: sky diving, scuba lessons, hot-air balloon rides, cooking school, lunch with a hero, etc.

10. What could be cuter than a stuffed pig? This project from Martha Stewart allows those who are handy with needlework to assemble an adorable, docile pet from felted woo

what should i get my boyfriends mom for christmas?

BABY_BOO90

i really really want to get my boyfriends mother something nice, i was thinking any where form $20-30 bucks, i want to not only show him but to show her, that i will be there for them no matter what.
any ideas? i was thinking of complementary jewelry with her name on it.

Answer
For my boyfriends mom, we got her a pair of nice boots with a small heal.
She really likes pictures and memory things, so i was thinking of getting her one of those picture frames that hold more than one picture, and putting in pictures of her cat..

I love giving gift baskets. You could get her a small giftbasket with a bunch of things, gift cards, nail polishes, jewelery, pictures, sample perfumes, body wash and other shower things. . . Theres alot of stuff that you could throw in there, and depending on what you buy im sure you could keep it under $30.

Hope this helps. :)

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What's a quote about how writers have changed the world?

gift baby quotes image

Jake

My english teacher gave us an assignment to "Search the Internet, find, and post a famous quote about writers as agents of change in society." and then there's some analysis questions on the quote. What would be a good quote for that?

Answer
Although most of us know Vincent van Gogh in Arles and Paul Gauguin in Tahiti as if they were neighbors -- somewhat disreputable but endlessly fascinating -- none of us can name two French generals or department store owners of that period. I take enormous pride in considering myself an artist, one of the necessaries.
James A. Michener

A perfectly healthy sentence, it is true, is extremely rare. For the most part we miss the hue and fragrance of the thought; as if we could be satisfied with the dews of the morning or evening without their colors, or the heavens without their azure. Henry David Thoreau

A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.Virginia Woolf

After all, most writing is done away from the typewriter, away from the desk. I'd say it occurs in the quiet, silent moments, while you're walking or shaving or playing a game, or whatever, or even talking to someone you're not vitally interested in. Henry Miller

All writers are vain, selfish and lazy, and at the very bottom of their motives lies a mystery. Writing a book is a long, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.George Orwell

But this I know; the writer who possesses the creative gift owns something of which he is not always master -- something that at times strangely wills and works for itself. If the result be attractive, the World will praise you, who little deserve praise; if it be repulsive, the same World will blame you, who almost as little deserve blame. Charlotte Bronte

Creative writers are always greater than the causes that they represent. Edward Forster

Each writer is born with a repertory company in his head. Shakespeare has perhaps 20 players, and Tennessee Williams has about 5, and Samuel Beckett one -- and maybe a clone of that one. I have 10 or so, and that's a lot. As you get older, you become more skillful at casting them. Gore Vidal

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.
Benjamin Franklin

Every writing career starts as a personal quest for sainthood, for self-betterment. Sooner or later, and as a rule quite soon, a man discovers that his pen accomplishes a lot more than his soul. Joseph Brodsky

He is a man of thirty-five, but looks fifty. He is bald, has varicose veins and wears spectacles, or would wear them if his only pair were not chronically lost. If things are normal with him, he will be suffering from malnutrition, but if he has recently had a lucky streak, he will be suffering from a hangover. At present it is half past eleven in the morning, and according to his schedule he should have started work two hours ago; but even if he had made any serious effort to start he would have been frustrated by the almost continuous ringing of the telephone bell, the yells of the baby, the rattle of an electric drill out in the street, and the heavy boots of his creditors clumping up the stairs. The most recent interruption was the arrival of the second post, which brought him two circulars and an income tax demand printed in red. Needless to say this person is a writer. George Orwell

If a nation loses its storytellers, it loses its childhood. Peter Handke

Do not pursue what is illusory - property and position: all that is gained at the expense of your nerves decade after decade and can be confiscated in one fell night. Live with a steady superiority over life - don't be afraid of misfortune, and do not yearn after happiness; it is after all, all the same: the bitter doesn't last forever, and the sweet never fills the cup to overflowing. Alexander Solzhenitsyn


more here
http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Alexander_Solzhenitsyn/
http://www.famous-quotes.com/topic.php?page=5&total=327&tid=1323

Should I give my baby up for open adoption?

Sahara

I am 19 years old, currently in college and due in 2 months with a baby girl. My boyfriend has already made up his mind that he wants to give her up for adoption and I don't know how to stick up to him. I already cry a lot because of this decision and it will be very hard for me because I have a lot of love for her. We are both not financially or emotionally ready to be parents and just want whats best for her.

Answer
DO NOT ABANDON YOUR CHILD TO ADOPTION!

Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Considering Adoption
@ /www.exiledmothers.com/ adoption_facts/wish.html (close gap in URL)

What you should KNOW if you're considering adoption for your baby
@ http://www.cubirthparents.org/edd/index.php?id=1

Considering adoption? Don't feel you have any other options?
@ http://www.keepyourbaby.com/

Myths told the unmarried mother
@ http://gift-not-choice.tripod.com/myths-about-asfa.html

Adoption Truth
@ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOZGwqHVnKs

Unplanned Pregnancy without Crisis
@ http://www.motherhelp.info/index.htm

Open adoption is almost never legally enforceable, and many parents have lost access to their children due to broken "open" adoption promises.
@ www.mercianeclectics.dsl.pipex.com/adoption/OpenAdoptionWall.htm
@ www.bringperihome.com/
@ http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100709095305AAjeM4z
@ http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100830162150AAi478W


Quotes taken from Nancy Verrier's book, Coming Home to Self
@ http://www.nancyverrier.com/self_book.php

For the adoptee every day is a challenge of trying to figure out how to be, although he probably doesn't understand the difficulty this presents for him. It has been true his whole life and, therefore, feels normal. However, it takes a great deal of energy and concentration. And it never feels quite right. He never quite fits. Therefore he feels as if /he/ is never quite right.
(pg 50)

Abandonment and neglect are reported to be the two most devastating experiences that children endure - even more devastating then sexual or physical abuse. That's why some neglected children do naughty things to get attention. Even though the attention is hurtful - being yelled at, hit, or otherwise harmed - it is better than neglect. /Anything/ is better than abandonment. Abandonment is a child's greatest fear. For adoptees, it is also reality, embedded in their implicit and unintegrated memory.
(pg 102)

It is sometimes difficult to spot grief in children. After all, it isn't as if the child sits in a puddle of tears his entire childhood. As one adoptee said, "Of course I played, laughed, sang. Do people think that if you're not sitting in a corner with your head on your knees, you are not sad? I had happy times, but the sadness was always there, even when I was having fun."
(pg 117)


_____Links supporting families to stay together_____

Single Mom @ www.singlemom.com/
Mentor Moms/MOPS/Teen MOPS (support!) @ www.mops.org/
Angel Food (food assistance) @ www.angelfoodministries.com/
Feeding America (food assistance) @ www.feedingamerica.org/
Co-Abode (housing assistance) @ www.coabode.com/
Safe Families (for emergency/crisis care) @ www.safe-families.org/
Teens @ www.teenbreaks.com/pregnancy/pregnancyhome.cfm
Adoption Crossroads® and Adoption Healing @ www.adoptioncrossroads.org
Adopted Child Syndrome @ www.amfor.net/acs
Origins-USA @ www.origins-usa.org
United Family Services @ www.unitedfamilyservices.org/
Family Assistance Foundation @ www.familyassistancefoundation.com/
Safelink Wireless @ www.safelinkwireless.com/

Finally, I suggest you take notice of the fact that adoption does NOT "save" kids:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080229225608AA9mqS9
http://lubbockonline.com/crime-and-courts/2010-12-22/lubbock-man-arrested-sexually-assaulting-adoptive-daughters

Good luck!

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Ideas needed for a baby shower with men included.?

baby gifts for mom from husband image

Anon

The Sunday 2-4 drop in baby shower with the silly games is finally fading out. This is my first shower at night with alcohol and husbands are invited. It's more like a party with gifts for the mom to be. Any ideas with food, decorations whatever are needed!

Answer
I hosted a coed baby shower w/ alcohol for two couples a few months ago. We did BBQ with fixins. Dessert was the traditional pedifores (only because we LOVE them) and a strawberry vanilla trifle.
Decorations were pretty simple white table clothes accented with yellow and green check fabric, flowers on each table, and rubber ducks here and there. We had ducks floating in a bowl on the buffet table, there was a ducky on the invites, and I made rubber ducky lolipop cookies as thank you gifts.
We did play one silly game that I thought was truly disgusting but lots of fun. The dirty diaper game. You melt candy bars in different diapers and the guests have to guess what type of candy bar it is. Really gross but lots of fun for the guys.

What could I do for a friend and his wife to celebrate their upcoming childbirth?

pasqualli

My best friend and his wife are scheduled to have their very first baby around Thanksgiving this year. They have been trying for years and have not been able to have one until now, so it is kind of a special thing that I want to be able to show my support and celebrate the upcoming birth some how, but I don't really know what people do for this sort of thing. I have never been good at this sort of thing. I don't want to throw them a baby shower. I don't know if they have already done that or will, and I don't want to ask them if they have done that already, and tip my hat that I am thinking of doing something for them. Would like it to be a surprise I think. Any suggestions? Should I be doing something to celebrate it beforehand or wait a month or so after the baby is born? Or just show up at the hospital with cigars and the rest of our buddies the day the baby is born?

Answer
A couple weeks before the birth of each of our children, my husband and I have gone out for "The Last Supper." We go out to dinner, maybe a movie, walk around town. Just a nice, relaxing night out together before baby gets here and we will be sticking around the house for a while. It would be nice to either get together with some of your friends and get them a gift certificate for their favorite restaurant and a movie or an activity that they enjoy together.

Or, you could invite them out to dinner and surprise them by having all your friends there, too!

The best gift I have ever received was the gift of meals! Our friends, family and church family set up having dinner delivered to us the first two weeks after delivery for all three of our kids, it was a TOTAL lifesaver! When you are sore and exhausted, the last thing on your mind is figuring out what to make for dinner. Maybe you could get your friends together and put together a meal schedule, even it that just means take out/gift cards for take out.

I would not recommend showing up at the hospital unless specifically invited. Birth Day can be an overwhelming experience for mom, dad and baby!

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How can I make my 4 year old girl to fall asleep in her bed. She is sleeping at our bed, and I am pregnant?

gift for baby girl 4 years old image

muneca

We fall asleep with her, and sometimes if we're not to tired, we get her to her bed, but if not she wakes up with us. I am 6 month pregnant, and I am worried about our new baby and this situation. I Breastfeed my 4 year old, and of course I want to brestfeed this new baby too. And sometimes I will need the bed to breastfeed. It is important for you to know that my 4 year old, did sleep in her bed until she was 2 years. She got sick, we took her to our bed and the rest is history. We have tried to get her sleep in her bed, but then she wants one of us with her. We also told her that the princesses, if she sleeps trough the nigth in her bed, will bring her gifts. It work out in the beginning but not anymore. We dont know what else to do. Could you please help!!!!
Heloo!!! I am not breastfeeding my 4 yesr old right now. I meant that I didi breastfeed her until she was 1 year old, and I want to do the same with this neww baby

Answer
Ok, there was this weird episode on Scrubs where a woman was still breastfeeding her 5 year old. Cut to a scene where the woman is cooing and awwing to her son. Pan down to the irate teenager who's saying (with a milk moustache), "C'mon Mom! I'm trying to eat here!".

Seriously, stop breastfeeding the 4-yr-old. Then, deal with a few nights of whining and crying (preferably do it over a long weekend) and make the girl go to sleep in her own damn bed. You're the parent! Act like it!

What would be a good gift to take to my host family in Costa Rica?

cakirk8

I will be living with them for 4 weeks. The family consists of mom, dad, and 4 year old daughter. I have thought about brownie mix and measuring cups, because I have several hispanic friends who had never tried brownies or even knew what they were, until I baked them for them. I got the idea of adding measuring cups from another website.

This wouldn't be all I would take. So please, any ideas would be a GREAT help!

Answer
well im Costa Rican-American and when ever we go visit my family we always bring them snickers chocolate bars and other american candies lol i know it sounds a little odd but yea my grandmother and all my family really loves them lol i dont remember if they have snickers bars in costa rica but if they do im sure they are probably too expensive for the average Costa Rican (my family lives in a very poor area in San Jose so yea when i say "average" i mean that type of people)

-a word of advice though....if the family is stable financially (meaning they have a nice house, nice things, have their children in private schools, their own cars and live in a good neighborhood) then i wouldn't want to take the chance of offending them by bring them american candy....if they CAN afford the candy then it would be a bit insulting to bring them something that they can get themselves ( but that doesnt apply to all gift...i dont know if im explaining myself correctly lol)

- but if you see that they are a humble, modest family (like mine) then im sure they would be more than grateful to have such a luxury that is american candy.

- u know what....to be on the safe side, you could bring them boxes of good quality chocolates like those assorted chocolates form Godiva and Ghirardelli. That way it shows your giving them something extra special (nothing cheap) and it wont insult them either way (and im sure the little girl will love chocolate...i mean, who wouldnt ;-)... ) AND it really wont cost you too too much when you think about it. So yea ...you cant go wrong with mixed cocoa lol

- u could also buy the little girl a really nice coloring book (not something you picked up at a dollar store...like my mom usually does for my little cousins *eye roll* ) like a huge book and a box of Crayola color pencils, markers, crayons ...a whole coloring kit lol. If you win over the baby of the house you'll win over the entire family ...trust me ;-) lol

-or a really nice Barbie or any popular doll from Toys R Us with some nice accessories (again try not to be too cheap about it...im only saying that cuz of my experience with my mother lol)

yea something along those lines....hope this helps!!

if you need any more ideas just let me know lol

Hope you have a great time in Costa Rica, its a beautiful country filled with beautiful people both inside and out ;-) (and im not just saying that cuz im tica lol) ....good luck!!

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Should I get the playtex ventaire newborn gift set?

gift ideas for baby loss image

le machi

I'm at a loss as to what baby products to buy, almost everybody says something different.

I'm planning on breastfeeding, but I think it's a good idea to have *something* just in case. Is this a good investment? I know you can't know beforehand if your baby is going to like something.
And what is the difference between the set, and the package with the 3 bottles, and what is the difference between buying the 3oz bottles vs. 6 or 8oz? (obviously there's a size difference--but is it economically effective to buy the smaller bottles if you'll have to buy bigger ones later on?)

Answer
Buy the playtex drop in nursers. They are the best because the liner is disposable and will save u a lot of time washing bottles! I would only ask for the 8 or 10oz bottles because babys actually start drinking a lot pretty quick. The small bottles get used for such a short period they are as waste of money in my opinion. If you plan to breastfeed though make sure you have all the necessities like a GOOD pump like medela. Lanolin, boppy pillow, milk storage bags all that stuff. Congrats and good job breastfeeding. It really really is the best thing for you baby!

my husband is fixing a 1967 camaro and I have no idea what to get for it?

wildangel0

I go to websites to figure it out but I am at a loss.

Answer
a car cover would be nice but if he's just starting the work he isnt going to want to use that just yet, as it will get dust from the body work on it and wont be able to use it when he is done.

the best thing i can tell you is get a some gift cards to place's like summitracing, yearone, harbor freight tools and a card, that tell's him its for his new baby have fun and how much you love him.
heres the web sites

summitracing
http://www.summitracing.com/

yearone
http://www.yearone.com/

harbor freight tools http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?f=displaysubcats&CategoryID=17&tab=1

and trust me those cards will say just how much you love him by them self's

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What would a newborn mom want right after she has the baby?

gift for baby at hospital image

My hubby a

I work for a state medical insurance, and we are trying to figure out what we can give to newborn moms we are giving the newborns baby stuff and a gift card for baby's r us, but what about the moms what are some ideas to give them? Bath robe, slippers, nice lotions, candles etc? Something to make them feel good and not forgotten with the newborn and all?
The majority of these women are low income moms thats why they are on state medicaid programs

Answer
You are talking about buying this stuff using my tax dollars? I work for a living and ended up with a $3000 hospital bill (insurance only paid a portion) and what did my state buy me? NOTHING.

Why is tax money being wasted on presents? We just gave her the "present" of a baby & pregnancy that she didn't have to pay for.

Why is it that I get to work harder, take more jobs, can't afford to have another baby, yet if I would only stop working and leave my husband, I could get a day at the spa. I sure as heck can't afford it now.

If it is my tax money, then I say buy her birth control and parenting classes so I don't end up paying for her kid to have kids they can't afford either.

What crap. When are we going to stop REWARDING people who make bad choices? WHEN?

What is a good gift for my toddler to get for her new baby brother?

One Armed

A friend suggested that when I have my 2year old daughter visit her baby brother in the hospital for the first time, that they give eachother a gift. I have bought something for him to give to her, but I don't know what she could give to him. Should I just take her shopping and let her pick something out for him? Did anyone else do something similar or have any other cute ideas for their first meeting?

Answer
Definetely take her shopping to pick out the gift. My son and I did this for the new baby and it meant so much to him, to feel like he was part of the whole process. He ended up choosing an outfit, and the baby wore it to get his newborn pics taken at the hospital, and to go home in. Every time I show off the newborn pics, my son exclaims "I bought him the outfit!" and is so proud. Letting them choose is important in making it a special and unique gift.

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How many baby showers did you have?

gift for wife baby shower image

Stark

I always thought women had one baby shower per pregnancy but tomorrows my wife's fourth. Her friends threw her one, her coworkers, her family, and tomorrow her students' parents are throwing her one. We're kinda overstocked on baby items now lol.

Anyone else have more than one? Would it be wrong to donate some of the gifts? We have like three to five of most items we only need one of.

Answer
WOW! Lucky Lady. Im Sure Ill only have 1, and i dont think it would be bad at all to donate some of the gifts there are many expecting mothers who dont have anything ready for the baby and would love to go to a thrift store and find new unused things for less than market price.....also look into other woman you know from work or family friends who are expecting and throw a "gift basket" together (re-gifting is totally fine with such an over load) but make sure your wife goes through the things first you dont want to tick her off lol good luck!

What kind of message should we put on a baby shower cake for a girl?

newsweetne

We are having a baby shower for a guy here at work. His wife is having their second daughter and Im trying to figure out a cute/funny phrase to put on the cake..I'm not sure on what color or theme for the cake, pink seems to ordindary..Please help! :)

Answer
When people found out we were having a second daughter, they razzed my husband endlessly about being outnumbered 3 to 1, and told him he could say goodbye to the bathroom. You could put something on the cake to that effect. You're in for it buddy! seems a little too menacing, but you know what I mean! :) Maybe something like, You're such a ladies man, or The ladies just won't stay away!

If you don't want to do pink as the main color, how about purple? You could still do a little pink here and there as an accent. Really, any soft baby colors are good for girls. Pink and green seems to be a popular combination for girls right now as well.

If you really get stuck on the traditional cake, think about a diaper cake. They're made from disposable diapers that are usable for the baby, but they would also make the perfect gift from a group at the office! Too cute, have a look.

Enjoy the baby shower!

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What was the best baby gift you received?

great gifts for baby image

MrsMike

I'm about to be a grandmother and I'd like to get my son and his wife a great gift. What was the one gift that turned out to be the best thing ever for your baby?

Answer
The Ocean Wonders Aquarium for the side of the crib and the Oceans Wonder bouncy seat by Fisher-Price. I can't begin to tell you how great these gifts were. My son is 3 and still turns on the aquarium to help himself fall asleep. If he could fit in the bouncy seat he would still be sitting in that too. In fact I'm going to a baby shower tomorrow and these were on her list so I got them for her. My sister-in-law and a friend have them also. The sounds and music are so soothing it would even help me fall asleep. My son was colicky and the bouncy seat also vibrates which I think helped him a lot or should I say helped me a lot. Congratulations and God Bless

I just got back from the baby shower and there were a few other mothers there that also have and love these products. Even if this is not what you choose to get them advise your son and his wife to get them or if someone else is wondering what to get for them suggest these.

What is the proper gift to give your wife after your first baby?

We are expecting our 1st baby Aug 18th. We are having a boy and its our first baby. What is a great gift idea for my wife for blessing me with a healthy son? Any suggestions?

Answer
a mothers ring with the baby's birth stone or a necklace or bracelet with the baby's birth stone.

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What gift should I purchase for my mom for this Mother's Day?

gift for mom 60 image

Barbie

I am confused though money can't buy everything but I wanna gift my mom the most amazing and unique gift in this world. Help please.

Answer
Only thing that is unique is something you created

write a poem, then print it out, frame it, and do some sort of mosaic for the frame, then put the framed poem in a basket or bag with a couple of little things like chocolate and bath soaps and little stuff like that - the whole present could cost $15-$60, depending on how much you want to spend.

What are some gift ideas for my mom's 60th birthday?

Emiliana S

My mom is turning 60 in a couple of weeks. She doesn't want a suprise party... been there done that!

She's a casual dresser, retired, likes going to flea markets and watching the soaps. She doesn't collect anything right now. She used to be a seamstress. Not really into frills and prissy stuff. Loves jewelry though. The problem is she doesnt NEED anything materialistic. So I am kind of at a loss. Need some creative help from you guys. Thanks so much!

Answer
Well, if she doesn't need the jewelry, but she loves it so much, why not get one cute piece that will mean something to her? A personalized necklace is a cute and fun way to show you care and it sounds like she's love it. I found some simple but fun pendants here:

http://www.justcufflinks.com/pendants.html

I was thinking maybe the scrabble tile one with her first initial? It's not too fussy and it will get a lot of good attention. I got one for myself and everyone at my office is jealous and wants one of their own. :)

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What would be a proper present to bring to a Bris?

gift for jewish baby naming ceremony image

Tahini Cla

A friend's baby is having his Bris this Thursday, and I wonder what to bring along. Scotch, nappies, earplugs, anything, you name it, but I'd like it to be proper procedure.
And the question just occurred to me whether the present is more for the child or more for the parents?

Answer
If you have already given the baby a gift, do not feel obligated to bring one to the bris. However, a small token gift, such as a bib or stuffed animal, is perfectly appropriate.

Though it is thoughtful to give a baby gift with religious meaning, it is certainly not required, nor even expected, if you are not Jewish. Any gift suitable for a newborn baby boy is appropriate.

Do not be offended when your gift is not opened in front of you. The bris ceremony does not involve gift opening, and most parents choose to open the gifts after their guests have gone home.

Advice from Jewish folks?

djc1175

I'm Christian, and my Dr's wife is expecting their first child(male) next month. They are Jewish. I would like to get them a gift but have no idea what to get. When I was with him the other day I mentioned a 'Hamsa" his answer was "Oh, my wife has ton's on those." Any good idea's for me??
My question is here, because this is about Culture and Society!

Answer
As I'm sure you already know, Jews don't believe in Baby showers for the most part. They see it as bad luck.

So, wait until after the baby has been named.
(Usually another separate ceremony)

Personalized gifts are always welcomed after the Naming ceremony!
A personalized Kiddish cup or Mezuzah is always welcomed as these items become part of the child's Heritage collection.

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