Ways to serve moms and parents
my kids are with me when I drop off meals for families & now she says in the car: “it’s so great we can share our food with other families.”
I became a mom four years ago and before that I was clueless on how to serve parents and families as they were experiencing transitions. As much as babies and children are gifts with their coos and sweet smells, there’s also a lot of adjustments and changes for the mom (and dad).
So, how can we serve the parents and enjoy their new baby? I have learned how to serve moms and parents by the way others have served, loved and honored me as a mom. And as you read my tips and ideas on how to serve parents/families, consider foster and adoptive parents (really anyone in a life transition).
Ways to serve moms and parents:
Meals. Offer to make a meal, organize a meal train or send them food using a food delivery app. Consider making a meal for the mornings too - egg bakes, muffins…(below I will share my go-to recipes I use for bringing meals over). Don’t live near that new mom? My family lives in Wisconsin, but sweet sister sent us an Uber Eats gift card to have a meal of our choice delivered. It was a sweet surprise and we used it as a date night in.
Pamper Mom/Parents. Whether it’s pregnancy or foster care, there’s always some level of stress and big changes are happening. My friends took me out to dinner last month to celebrate motherhood and friendship. They treated me to my meal and sent me off with bath bombs and face masks. When my mother-in-law came into town, she booked a massage for my husband and I while she stayed with the kids! Other ideas: send them cards affirming them in their roles, send a gift card for a date night or get them a gift card for a prenatal massage, put together a hospital gift box for them. I did this for my sister-in-law. I curated a box with leggings, magazines and their favorite candy for after their hard work bringing life into the world. It’s a way to be there for them no matter where you live. See more ideas here.
Visiting. Before you visit, check-in. Sit with the parents for a bit and ask to hold the baby. Don’t be annoyed if they ask you to wash your hands. Think of ways you can take care of a chore for them. Sometimes a mom just wants to hold her baby without doing the dishes. If you see a sink full, go ahead and wash them for her. When I visited a friend who welcomed her third baby and I told her to hop in the shower while her and my kids played and baby was sleeping. She was so excited for a moment of quiet and care for herself.
Babysit. If they have other kids at home, offer to babysit or sit with them. The earlier weeks of new babies means a lot of feeding and changing. And of course, it’s always nice when someone tells me they’ll come over to watch the kids so I can have time alone or with my husband.
Ask. Every mom and parent is different, so just ask what they may need or how they are really doing. It’s always great to know there are people in your corner who love that sweet baby, but understand that the mom/parents may be coping differently to all the changes.
Serving one another helps us feel encouraged, seen and loved. It gives us time and space to heal and process. I know for me each day is different and I am always thankful for the help and encouragement from community near and far. It truly takes a village and there are so many unique ways to love and serve one another.
Go-To Meals:
Baked Tacos • Baked Ziti • Fajitas (to freeze) • Pancake Bites • Blueberry Muffins • Peanut Butter Oat Bites
with joy,
Aneta Nina
give with joy Founder & Designer