Conference moira::parenting_v3

    
    
    	Sounds like you have a good handle on what to buy the child, fun and
    colorful.
    
    	As far as the exhausted parents (or for any adult coming home from
    the hospital) I have found that the thing that works the most magic is
    are two casseroles, one to be eaten that night and one to be put in the
    freezer for another night. It's amazing how much work putting dinner
    together is, when a member in the house is very ill.
    
    			Wendy

    
    My 5 year old loved a new lego set (with the base so he could do it in
    bed), a Spriograph, and a Magna Doodle when he was sick with the flu
    for a week. If the boy already has the basics of these items, you can
    still get supplemental legos, or wheels for the Spirograph or
    inserts/stamps for the Magna Doodle. These are all great toys for
    staying in bed. My son also used his Tupperware stencil set with the
    Magna Doodle to practice his letters and numbers. You would be
    surprised how long this kept him busy !!! He also enjoyed those books 
    which make sounds when you press the picture - he could "read" the story 
    to himself, or just enjoy the sounds. Maybe the child would enjoy a 
    Memory matching card game once he can move around a bit. If he likes to 
    do things with his hands, those lace up or needlepoint card sets may be 
    good for when he isn't very mobile.
    
    I agree that the best thing for the parents is FOOD !!!! Another choice
    is a FREE BABYSITTING NIGHT, so that the parents can get a well needed
    break. You could also volunteer to grocery shop, take other siblings to
    the park or the movies, or church school, run errands, etc. TIME OFF is
    what the parents will need - even if they are in the house, and you are
    reading to the bedridden child, they could have a little break to
    garden or whatever. Maybe you could volunteer to do the laundry or
    dishes so THEY could visit with the sick child without distraction.  
    
    Also, perhaps a new Ninja Turtle (or whatever) dinnerware set or a
    Fischer Price plastic molded lap desk to serve as a bed tray would be 
    good for getting the child to eat in bed or on the couch. How about a new
    bedsheet set or comforter in the child's favorite character ? This
    could make staying in bed a little more palettable. 
    
    Perhaps you could also notify your friends church or playgroup or
    whatever. Sometimes these organizations have "Caring Committees" which
    can pitch in during these times of stress with such things as food or
    rides to the doctors office (church group) or sending get well cards to
    the child (playgroup).
     
    Your friend is very fortunate to have such a caring friend as you to
    help in this stressful time. A five year old will be tough to keep down
    for long !
    
    Good luck, and let us know how the child is doing.
    
    Leeann
     
       

    
    My son is in Kindergarten and just turned six.
    
    Other favorites for sick days at our house, video tapes, slinky, play
    dough (what a mess), pick up sticks, Old Maid card game, Dominoes, Fish
    card game, Monopoly Jr, Bingo, Ninja Turtle game, Lincoln Logs. He 
    likes his Spirograph too, but gets kind of frustrated. I think the
    Spirotot would have been more appropriate.  He especially likes the
    new books with the sound buttons along the side, [awesome, cowabunga]
    
    Rochelle 

    
    So, how is the little boy doing ? What did you decide to do with your
    care package ?
    
    lmc
    

re: .4

Our friend is doing great, recovering from his emergency appendectomy!  You
may hear all about it from his mom, one of our (notes) friends, when she has
time.

I took my kids to P.K.Zylas in Pinardville (NH) and let them loose to buy the
gifts - which we call "Prize an Hour".  We had discussed the ideas (from 
here, too) in the car and they made great choices, including:
		Paint with water books with set of paintbrushes
		New markers (20)
		Activity books - dot-to-dot, mazes, etc.
		Colorforms 
		Dominos
		Water-filled game - push buttons to make something go
			in a basket or something (this was the biggest hit)
		Enclosed dirt and bulldozer that you push around from
			the back with a magnet to make roads

The day we brought these to the hospital, he had a bad time with some tests
and the distractions were very timely!

Thanks for the ideas!  I'll use the others another time - hopefully for more
boring illnesses!