Monday, November 4, 2013

Hospital "Busy Bags"




          I have the quite possibly the world's most boring medical records-I rarely see the doctor, I have never stayed overnight in the hospital (besides, of course, the birth of my children!) or had any type of surgery. I can only imagine what it would be like to be chronically ill, or to have a child with serious health issues. But, since I have a pretty vivid imagination, I can guess that it has to be pretty stressful, and scary and exhausting.

     And boring, in some ways. There is a lot of waiting, I'm told, when you have a loved one undergoing surgery or other intense medical procedures.  And while I can't necessarily make the waiting shorter, or less scary, I am pretty sure I can try my hardest to make it less stressful and boring! Remember the butterfly shower? The sweet woman it was for delivered the most precious little girl-one with some weighty medical problems. The little girl is having major surgery this week-and I can't really know what the family is going through. But I wanted to help.

    So I suggested to our Bible study group that we put together hospital care packages-for the family! There is also a not-quite three year-old little boy- one who doesn't really understand what is going on, and will be missing his mom and his sister while they are at the hospital for possibly up to several weeks. My group was beyond generous, and I wanted to share what we came up with-in case you know someone with a similar situation.

We wanted to provide some things for the mom while she was at the hospital- not just during the surgery, but also while she was staying there for the days of recovery. I figured she can share the snacks with her husband, although I don't know that he will appreciate much else! A sweet woman from our church made some excellent suggestions, she has a chronically ill child and really understands. Here is what we put in:

-magazines
-nail polish and file
-fuzzy slipper socks
-tissues
-snacks (she suggested food that could be microwaved or have hot water added, so we put in oatmeal and packaged soup, as well as pretzels, crackers, and trail mix)
-a book of word games and mechanical pencils
-lotion
-chapstick
-a fuzzy blanket (sometimes those waiting rooms can be cold!)
-a small bottle of laundry soap (there are machines for family members to do wash)
-gum

not pictured: later the woman who made the suggestions added a towel (she said the hospital ones are horrible!) and some toiletry items. She suggested brown paper bags and a sharpie to label food with-there are often communal refrigerators, so it helps to keep things organized. She also said that a list of nearby restaurants that deliver would be helpful-especially since the hospital is over an hour away from our city. We included several gift cards for various restaurants- I figured they could use them while at the hospital or after they come home, but either way it helped out with a few meals!

We probably had the most fun putting together the bag for the little boy. I don't even have everything pictured-it was like Christmas! I think he will be able to be entertained for a long time. I figured he won't use everything at the hospital, but whoever is taking care of him during the days his mom is gone (his dad, or relatives) will appreciate having some new things to bring out to keep him occupied.

We put in:
-coloring book and crayons
-small picture book
-cardboard tray puzzle
-hand santizer
-Squinkies (little toy people)
-Play Doh (the round container in the back) that came with molds and accessories
-snacks (yogurt raisins, Go-Go Squeeze applesauce, perfect since it doesn't require a spoon, cheese crackers, fruit snacks)
-reusable/disposable cups
-Tummy Tickler drink- these are great because they are filled with apple juice and are reusable, and also one of the most spill-proof cups on the market.
-"army men" toys
-Play pack with stickers and activity book
-cookie tray, that could be used for holding snacks or coloring books, or playing with Play Doh. 

Not shown: fun mustache straws, socks, magnetic letters for the tray, and a bunch of other little things that I didn't have time to take photos of!

And I wanted some activities for him to do. I have been working on a "Busy Bag" board on Pinterest for a long time. My son is a little too old for most of them now, but I still like adding to the ideas. It turned out to be providential, because I found some great things to make for the bag!

I made:
-a button "snake" pieces of felt that you thread on a ribbon with a button stitched on the end. You cut slits in the felt and then the child can put them onto the ribbon. The button keeps them from falling off. I hot glued the angled end of the ribbon to make it more sturdy.

- "Pom Pom Stuff In"- I cut a small hole in the lid of a plastic container and covered the rough edges with tiny pieces of duct tape (so they wouldn't be sharp) and filled it with pom-poms. He can push the pom-poms in through the hole. The pom-poms can also be used with the number cards.

-Domino Counting Cards- I printed and laminated these. They can be used with the pom-poms or with Play Doh.

-Animal/Shape Matching Cards- I printed and laminated these as well. They can be used for simple matching or to play "Memory".

Not shown: I printed and laminated a cute "pie" activity mat from this site- click on "Pie Playdough Mat" at the bottom to download directly. You roll Play Doh balls for a counting activity.

I put each activity in a separate bag and labeled them with the suggested directions, that way no matter who is caring for him, they can help him to use each item.

I had all the materials on hand for most of these activities, and while it did take a couple of hours to put everything together, it gave a really handmade and *hopefully* thoughtful touch. I am sure the family has plenty to do with all the details of the surgery and real-life concerns, so I don't know that putting together bags like these is a top priority. We are hoping that they will know we are keeping them all in our prayers during this time, and when they use one of the gifts they will know they are loved.


Linked up at:
"Wow Me Wednesday" at Ginger Snap Crafts 
'"Whatever Goes Wednesday" at Someday Crafts 
"Wow Us Wednesday" at Family Home and Life 
"Pin It Thursday" at Sweet Bella Roos 
"Blog Stalking Thursday" at The Crafty Blog Stalker 
"Thrifty Thursday" at Living Well, Spending Less 
"Craft Frenzy Friday" Craft Dictator

30 comments:

  1. WOW! That is such a thoughtful care package...I'm sure it will be well used.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a sweet and thoughtful gift!! Very thorough! We'll be featuring this over at Someday Crafts tomorrow, so come on over and check it out :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by! I was excited to see your link party, and happy to link up there.:)

      Delete
  3. Thank you for the great ideas! I'm a pastor's wife, and I'm going to file this idea away for the next time one of our parishioners is in the hospital for awhile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad that you liked it! And thank you for serving as a pastor's wife.:)

      Delete
  4. This is a fabulous idea! What a great way to show a family that you care while also giving them something very useful and helpful. I've been trying to think of something to do for pregnant (and morning sick) moms. I think that a similar care package would be helpful. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so appreciate you stopping by! I've gotten lots of great inspiration from around the web, so I'm happy to give a little. :)

      Delete
  5. Love this! I spent 15 years as a medical mom. My kiddo was awesome but she spent way too much time in doctor's offices, surgery, and weeks at a time in the hospital.
    I have a couple of suggestions. When the lights go out in a hospital room, a little book light lets mom or dad read for a while. Fresh veggies and fruit, Hospital food is expensive and sometimes pretty scary. When people asked what they could bring that was my answer and very few took me serious. I will be happy if I never have to see over cooked broccoli again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks a bunch for all of this! I have decided because I've been saying for a while to donate stuff to the children's hospital. Because it so sad that some kids live your worst nightmare

    ReplyDelete
  7. All great ideas! We have recently had 2 families in our church who have had children dealing with cancer as well as others and another needed item is change-mostly quarters. For vending machines, newspaper, etc. We collected change and rolled it and put in a basket with other goodies. Yes washcloths and a couple of towels also phone cards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those sound like great additions! It is so wonderful how these things can be so personal, both from the giver and for the recipient.:)

      Delete
  8. Top Windshield Wiper Blades ... 3. TRICO Force 25-220 High Performance Beam Wiper Blade Reviews article source

    ReplyDelete
  9. I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article... 여유증수술

    ReplyDelete
  10. I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article... goldenslot

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is my first visit to your web journal! We are a group of volunteers and new activities in the same specialty. Website gave us helpful data to work. slot machine

    ReplyDelete
  12. I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article... escort Brasília

    ReplyDelete
  13. I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article... Maria Luya Hialeah Fl

    ReplyDelete
  14. You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. Cheap Moonstone Rings

    ReplyDelete
  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Similarly as with most buys, the main choice is cost. How a lot of cash can be spent on this bed. For under $500 you can buy a semi-electric emergency clinic bed, and that is for the bed as it were.
    hasta yatağı

    ReplyDelete
  17. You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. best review websites

    ReplyDelete
  18. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. 안전놀이터

    ReplyDelete
  19. This particular is usually apparently essential and moreover outstanding truth along with for sure fair-minded and moreover admittedly useful My business is looking to find in advance designed for this specific useful stuffs… hasta yatağı

    ReplyDelete
  20. "There's a ton of research out there right now attempting to concentrate on the connections between oral wellbeing and general wellbeing in the two bearings - poor oral wellbeing influencing general wellbeing and poor general wellbeing influencing oral wellbeing," says Dr Matthew Hopcraft, leader of the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Inc. hearing protection Lynbrook

    ReplyDelete
  21. You ought to likewise discover things like the nursing obstructs the social insurance experts wear, and diabetic shoes and socks in these stores.hasta yatağı fiyatları

    ReplyDelete
  22. I just found this blog and have high hopes for it to continue. Keep up the great work, its hard to find good ones. I have added to my favorites. Thank You. cal king mattress cover

    ReplyDelete
  23. Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer!.. mystery shopping madrid

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great Blog Post and its excellent to read. Grab the happy hour deals at Amazon Cashback Offers 2020Myntra Cashback Offers

    ReplyDelete
  25. The reason is that an unsupportive mattress will not only have you tossing and turning throughout the night due to the bad sleeping posture, but it will leave you waking up with aches and pains, robbing you of the necessary deep-sleep your body needs to recover. While comfort is certainly important, a supportive mattress that allows your body to rest the way it needs is even more valuable. truck mattress

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tütün içerikli sigaralara alternatif olarak üretilen elektronik sigara çeşitleri ve için bu site ziyaret edilebilir.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails