After months of grogginess, we recently experienced a night with eight continuous hours of sleep.  It was life changing.  Suddenly we could complete our sentences and even remember where we left our keys.

giving gift of sleep to new parentsPeople who regularly doze for sizeable chunks have no idea what an uninterrupted snooze can do for a sleep-deprived family in those first few months.  It revitalizes body and soul, regenerates our sadly withered coping skills, and helps us see the world, and our baby, in a whole new light.  (Think precious bundle instead of ten-pound heartless, sleep-depriving dictator.)

If someone would have offered to take my child for a night so that I climb between the sheets at 8am and get long hour stretch of unconsciousness, I think I would have cried with sheer happiness.

If you can’t manage taking baby for the entire night, volunteering for just a few hours of babysitting is also a tremendous help.  Parents can slip out for a coffee date or even flee to the cinema to play hooky from child rearing for just a few hours.

So, if you haven’t found the perfect present for the frazzled new mom in your life, give the gift of your time.  I truly believe that most new parents would value the break over any material item you could possibly give them.

Do you have other ideas for no-cost gifts for new parents?  Please share!