10 loving gifts for families

Here is a list from New Hampshire Children's Trust with 10 loving gifts to give to parents and families to help them out or to provide them with much needed support.

• ​Time. Have the neighbor's kids over for a few hours to give parents time to reconnect and recharge.
• Arms. The gift of arms means holding babies and playing with the little ones so moms and dads can take the time to do what they need to do, like grocery shopping, exercising, or even showering!
• Groceries. No one should ever have to worry about how they are going to feed their family. The gift of groceries means parents can have a little extra cash to put into savings or for a night out together.
• Diapers. It's amazing how many diapers an infant can go through in a week. A case of diapers keeps babies dry and parents less stressed.
• Museum gift pass. Museum gift passes give families something fun, interactive, and enriching to do together.
• Gas. Worrying about running out of gas with kids in the car is not pleasant. Give the gift of a full tank of gas.
• Library trip. Take a young family to the library. Introduce them to the children's librarian and the wonderful magic of the gift of reading.
• Home cooked meal. Parents can only eat dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets for so many days in a row. A home cooked meal will be so appreciated by worn out parents.
• Family resource center visit. Parents aren't always aware of what resources are available to them in their own communities. Introduce them to parenting support groups, play groups, and the wealth of information a family resource center has to offer.
• Encouraging words. Parenting is exhausting, confusing, and frustrating at times. Being in the parents' corner makes all the difference!

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