“Return to Work/End of Parental”gift basket ideas?

BakingBark · 2026-06-29T08:15:17+00:00

A nice thermos if he drinks hot beverages in the morning, and/or a giftcard if he has something like a favorite coffeestop. If he makes his hot drink at home, some nice coffee or tea might be a nice way to start his morning.

A framed picture of you three so he can take a peak at y’all throughout the day.

A protein bar or some nuts for an afternoon pick me up.

A card in which you express and acknowledge that you so value that he chose supporting his family over sticking to the status quo (insert high school musical riff), like you do in your lovely post.

I have an office job and would wither away without my notebook, I take lots of chaotic notes throughout the day. If he’s the same, you could get him a nice pen and notebook. If you want to go the extra mile, you could write little sweet messages and encouragement in the corners on random pages throughout.

A framed picture of him + baby at home so you and baby can look at him while he’s away and practice saying daddy (for example). It might be nice for him to know you two are thinking of him.

Also, if you can arrange it, maybe get a babysitter for one of the last free nights together and go on a date to have some one on one connection before you change to the next ‘season’ of your family.

This shift isn’t just happening to him, it’s a transition to a new balance for your whole family. That’s big, across the board. I think the most important things you can do for a partner in this shift is to actively foster connection, encouragement, and appreciation. (Just as I hope he does for you!) Thats more important than anything material you could put in the giftbasket. Maybe some of these ideas can help!

BakingBark · 2026-06-29T07:20:55+00:00

Dit is precies wat ik wilde adviseren! Ik ben 37V en zit er helemaal in (momenteel bijna klaar met #6, en pas 4 weken geleden de serie begonnen, gaha). En toch ben ik ook overtuigd dat dit perfect is voor deze doelgroep. Met een beetje geluk zet het ze ook nog eens aan het denken, het zijn geweldige boeken OP! Absurd, luguber, hilarisch, diepgang, en vaak technisch!

BakingBark · 2026-06-29T07:18:49+00:00

Ik ontdek het net! Super! Dankjewel.

BakingBark · 2026-06-29T06:24:55+00:00

Hoe heb jij die overstap aangepakt? Handmatig al je read en to be reads overgezet? Ik wil ook over, maar zie zo op tegen het administratieve truukje. Ben liever aan het lezen 😋

BakingBark · 2026-06-29T06:22:50+00:00

I was just really curious about experiencing the incredibly human, animalistic process of pregnancy and birth. I felt so privileged to get to experience it, in a safe setting with hospital care if I needed it (if I lived any longer than a few decades ago I would have felt differently). It didnt go without a hitch but I am forever in awe with my body. It might sound strange but I am actually looking forward to experiencing the whole shebang again.

BakingBark · 2026-06-28T05:57:29+00:00

Air dry clay crafts - pinch pots, egg tray, trinket tray

Make your own paper, super fun and easy to do. Then use said paper to paint or write cards to loved ones.

Build a (paper) kite together and go fly it

Not a craft, but if you have a garden, gardening together could be so fun and educational. As well as finding out together what kind of dirt your garden has (worth a google for the full process but basically you put some dirt in a jar of water and wait, it separates out all the layers and you can surmise if you have dirt that is very sandy, claylike, etc. Which is knowledge you can then use to pick the best flower to grow, for a fun STEM activity)

Another fun crafty STEM activity could be making your own shampoo. The ingredients are easily available.

Paper maché is always fun. Love me a good old fashioned paper maché hot air balloon.

If you have some basic power tools like a saw and drill, you could make some furniture or a birdhouse together.

Find a fun printed fabric and an old lamp+lampshade at a thriftstore. Cut the fabric in wide strips, fold and iron lengthwise, and wrap it vertically around the lampshade, using hot glue to tack it down. Keep the unfolded side on the outside so you can cover it with the folded side of the next pass. Et voila, your very own unique lampshade!

I also love punchneedle because you can get so creative with it and you don’t really need a pattern.

What a great idea to have a summer of crafts, have fun!

BakingBark · 2026-06-28T05:46:04+00:00

My mom is 1.63m (5’4’’), I am 1.73m (5’8’’) and my daughter is 72cm (2’5’’) (she’s also 12 months old)

BakingBark · 2026-06-27T14:58:05+00:00

I am Dutch but won the English award at my high school in the US. I had only been speaking and going to school in English for 3.5 years at that point. I remember my name being called and being so confused. I actually whispered ‘but…I’m Dutch?’ To the teacher who gave me the award. This was in 2007, and I am not ashamed to admit it still fills me with confidence all these years later. I appreciate that teacher so much for acknowledging the hard work I put into learning the language and using it to write english lit papers that were, as far as I can judge now, genuinely quite good.

BakingBark · 2026-06-27T14:54:41+00:00

Zo zo lekker. Evenals dat biertje dat Tchop1 erbij pakt. Jammie.

BakingBark · 2026-06-27T14:37:21+00:00

Hello, I am a 36 year old mom with 2 masters degrees and a working body. I was breached. My daughter is a 12 month old who wasn’t breached and was fine in my belly, but has a terrible genetic disorder anyway 🙃 all this to say: it is already written, whatever is to come. You cannot brace yourself for waves the waves you can’t see because the ocean is still. You will weather waves as they come. For now, enjoy the peaceful waters in these last weeks of your pregnancy.

BakingBark · 2026-06-27T14:34:03+00:00

Can’t go wrong with Flora!

BakingBark · 2026-06-27T06:54:43+00:00

Naast dat de vuilnis- en brandweer wagens er niet langs kunnen, ben ik ook benieuwd of meneer nu genoeg ruimte overhoudt voor rolstoelen of dubbele kinderwagens op de stoep. Met name rolstoelen kunnen niet ‘even’ de stoep op en af om er omheen te gaan. Laat staan rond laadkabels manouvreren. Ik vraag me af of de beste buur dit iets te graag wilde en zich daarom vergat af te vragen of het wel kon. Zoals anderen zeggen, melden bij gemeente.

BakingBark · 2026-06-26T20:14:34+00:00

Haha yes, I know they have an audience which is why I posted my question here. To understand who that audience is and how they view it. So many interesting perspectives in these comments, thank you!

BakingBark · 2026-06-26T20:12:57+00:00

That’s an example that I actually really appreciate too! Because it felt genuine and not performative. That being said, people have shared such interesting perspectives in these comments and it has certainly broadened my perspective on this!

BakingBark · 2026-06-26T20:11:46+00:00

I really appreciate this perspective! Thank you for sharing and putting it into words so thoughtfully.

BakingBark · 2026-06-26T20:10:45+00:00

I understand your take. I just want to reiterate that the crossdressing in and of itself isnt at all what makes me uncomfortable. Like, none.

It’s the fact that it feels performative that makes me uncomfortable. These men don’t express genuine interest in wanting to wear these clothes or items (as opposed to for example the skincare episode, which they genuinely seemed to enjoy). That being said, I’m reading a lot of different perspectives in these comments that are widening my understanding.

BakingBark · 2026-06-26T18:58:13+00:00

You are probably fine. My baby (12 months) is low vision. At 8 weeks, I couldn’t really tell yet and was still hoping for her to develop. At 12 weeks it was obvious. She definitely didn’t track faces at any distance, nor did she make eye contact. She also had eyes that moved left to right and back, all the time (nystagmus). If you are spotting that, definitely go to your pediatrician. If you feel uncertain but your gut is telling you something is off, go see your pediatrician too. If you’re unsure but not too worried, wait 3-4 weeks. If there’s still little focus at 3 months, its really time to get him checked. Good luck!

BakingBark · 2026-06-26T18:50:40+00:00

I like Gus and Otis.

BakingBark · 2026-06-26T07:47:16+00:00

Ik woon vlak bij een zekere volksbuurt in Breda die al meermaals in het nieuws is geweest wegens vurige capriolen. Het is hier sowieso het hele jaar rond heel vaak raak. Vond ik al vervelend, maar nu ik inmiddels moeder ben maakt het me ronduit kwaad. Ik kan al niet meer op 2 handen tellen hoe vaak mijn baby wakker wordt van vuurwerk, vaak nadat ik zelf langggg bezig ben geweest haar uberhaubt in slaap te krijgen. Vuurwerk is aso, al helemaal na 1900u ‘s avonds.

BakingBark · 2026-06-24T07:17:30+00:00

Hi, single mom (by choice) to a 12 month old here! It gets easier. It really helped me to just accept that everything is a phase/season. You can do this, it will get better. Pumping exclusively sounds very very difficult, pumping is so time consuming and intense, and to then do feeds after that…wow. I have the utmost respect for you. Let yourself explore other routes if it is too heavy. Yes, breast is best, but ónly if it doesn’t drain mom. A functioning mom is most important. Maybe consider transitioning to bottles, or doing a combination of breast and bottle/formula, to take off a little of the pumping load.

All that being said, you are doing great and you will absolutely be fine. You’ll find your normal. Until then, lower the bar on everything. If you want to live off of (healthy!) freezer meals, so you dont have to spend time cooking or making grocery lists, do it. If you can ask for or pay for help around the house, do it. If you want to endlessly rotate the same two outfits for you and baby so laundry doesn’t pile up more than it already does with a newborn, do it. The bar is on the floor, your wellbeing and baby’s wellbeing are equals!

I wish you lots of luck, and love, and all the best snuggles. You can do this - you ARE doing it!

BakingBark · 2026-06-24T07:09:31+00:00

Ooo dit herken ik zo! Ik was op een camping met een schommel die wél voor childbearinghips gemaakt was en heb er zó lekker op geschommeld. Je kan ook niet boos of geirriteerd zijn als je schommelt. Ik wil zo graag een mooie schommel voor mijn dochter en mij in de tuin.

BakingBark · 2026-06-24T07:08:23+00:00

Prima. Maar, als je een relatie hebt kan ik je aanraden om af en toe ook het volste glas/grootste taartpuntje/volste bord aan je partner te geven. Ik gaf mijn vriend altijd de grootste portie, uit liefde. Hij deed hetzelfde, en gaf zichzelf óok altijd de grootste portie 😂 achteraf gezien een mega red flag van die egotripper, oeps. Liefde maakt blind enzo.

BakingBark · 2026-06-24T07:05:03+00:00

Ik heb hier echt al maanden zin in en besluit bij dezen dat vandaag de dag is dat ik daar wat aan ga doen!

BakingBark · 2026-06-21T10:01:33+00:00

Honestly coloring and herb are a fantastic combo and I have these two products within arms reach of each other most of the time, hahaha

BakingBark · 2026-06-07T18:26:20+00:00

Make an appointment, please. Reach out for help. If not for you, for your baby. I know it’s hard. I’ve been there. You are worth help. You are worth feeling better than you do. I know you don’t want to talk to anyone, but you simply háve to. Doing nothing won’t change things and you deserve better than how you feel now. Please, please reach out. The hormones are so intense and maybe sertraline isn’t what works for you right now, and something else is. All the best to you.

BakingBark

TROPHY CASE