Becoming a new Mom (even if it’s not a first baby) is life altering. Here are some of the most helpful things you can do to ease her transition.
By far the most useful present you can give a new mother is the gift of your time and care. Fresh meals in those first few weeks can be life saving, as can offers to wash dishes, cook, babysit older kids or walk the dog.
But what if you’re busy, live far away, or have young kids of your own? Here’s when thinking outside the box comes in handy…
Sure, shopping for wee onsies is cute. And toys are hard to resist. But most new parents are swimming in these items already. Between hand-me-downs from friends with older kids and gifts from doting grandparents, most new mothers will assure you that another cute “outfit” is the last thing they need.
Too often, when buying gifts, our focus is on tangible things, consumer goods. But this can create a sort of stress for a parent who doesn’t have much extra space: where to store it all? Most new parents find that they never use most of the items they buy or receive in the first year. Which is a terrible waste of resources for those who’ve spent the money and for our planet.
So how can you get the most out of your gift dollars while leaving the world a better place for the new arrival?
Think pampering services for the mother (or both parents).
We ran a poll among some of our clients who are Moms and they all said similar things: most of their time, thoughts and money went towards their babies during their pregnancies and the first two years. There are so many new expenses that self-care for the mother just falls off the map. Yet studies and folk wisdom both agree: a happy mother is the cornerstone of a happy family. If you don’t take care care of Mommy (or help her take care of herself), then everyone suffers.
So consider the following option:
The gift of pretty hair: Most new Mums have precious little time and energy for primping. So get her a coupon at a trusted salon where she’ll be pampered and her needs (low maintenance, but chic) will be addressed. Think about it: the effects of a massage or spa treatment wear off within 48 hours, and with winter approaching, no one’s going to notice a pedicure. Yet the first thing people notice about a person is their face and hair. A good haircut should last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. Now THAT’S a gift that keeps on giving!
At Beauté Business, we offer free consults and have longer opening hours so that stressed out Moms can pick a time that’s convenient to them. We’re breast-feeding friendly (as all places should be!) and can offer a soothing scalp massage and free make up touchup as well.
Can you think of a better way to make a woman’s day than to help her feel like herself again?
The nice thing about a Beauté Business gift certificate is that it’s valid for as long as we have our doors open! No sneaky expiry date, no hidden fees (although if a client chooses to tip–and it’s always optional– that’s not included). So you can rest assured that when you hand over that gift certificate at a baby shower, the Mom is free to come in right away, or three weeks after the birth or three months or whenever. No pressure. Our goal is to take care of her so she is filled, once again, with energy to take care of her little ones.
