Maybe it is your best friend from college. Or perhaps it is a sibling or cousin. Almost everyone knows someone who lives far away who has had, or is expecting, a new baby. Unfortunately, we can’t always fly or drive out to support our loved ones as they navigate the challenges of new parenthood. But there are ways that we can lend our support and help new parents even when we live far away.
For more on this topic, check out the full Baby’s First Year collection
Baby Clothes
Everyone loves to buy clothes for their impending arrival. And every expectant mom or dad should be able to indulge themselves when they find an outfit that is too cute to resist. But let’s face it, babies will grow out of those tiny clothes in as little as a few weeks. So it just makes sense to get most of them via donations from friends and family.
So, one of the best things you can do for a distant pregnant or newly delivered loved one is to send them any infant clothes you may have leftover from your adventures in parenting. Or, you can even buy some cute outfits to send from your local consignment or thrift stores. Not only will you be helping the new parents, but you will also be helping the planet by reusing clothes that may have only been used once or twice. By shopping around for the lowest domestic shipping rates, you can make this a cost-effective way to help out.
Send Gifts from Their Registry
Thanks to online shopping, it is easier than ever to purchase gifts for new parents (or anyone else) and have them sent directly. Chances are your loved one has a registry at one or more retailers online. And the best part about using the registry is that you will avoid duplicate gifts or unwanted items. The last thing new parents need is to deal with product returns on top of all the work of caring for an infant. If you feel like you need to come up with something unique — the kind of gift your friend or family member can use or will just love, but may not even know to ask for — stick to small items. That way, if your sure shot is a miss, it isn’t a big deal.
Hire Helpful Services
A great way to help out is to purchase services that new parents might not afford for themselves. This can range from a gift certificate to a restaurant delivery service like GrubHub, a postpartum doula, or a night nurse. Other services that may be useful are diaper services, grocery shopping and delivery services, and house cleaning services. Anything that can take a task, especially a repetitive task, off of the hands of new parents can be a game-changing help. For more significant purchases that might break your budget, go in with other friends and family members.
HELP PLAN THEIR BABY’S BAPTISM
Planning their child’s baptismal ceremony is a huge task for first-time parents. There are many things to prepare and a bunch of logistical tasks to take care of. To take some load off their shoulders, help them plan and organize the event—even from miles away. New parents will appreciate your help in making things easier, from assisting them in finding suppliers to handing out the invites. If you don’t have as much free time to do all those, you can still participate in the preparation by sending them valuable gifts like cute and stylish baptism dresses for their baby girl or personalized keepsake boxes.
Other Ideas
Being far away doesn’t mean you can’t be a big help to a loved one navigating the challenging waters of new parenthood. In addition to these ideas, send cards, money if needed, gift certificates, and small “just for fun” gifts to support new parents. Think of how you can use these tips from a distance. Stay in touch (but make sure to text before you call, so you pick the right moment). And don’t forget to ask what you can do to help. Your loved ones will often know what they need the most.
For more on this topic, check out the full Baby’s First Year collection
