Motherly Advice....would you be prepared for a hospital stay?

 

During Covid-19, we have been bombarded with exhortations to 'be prepared'. Having lived in a cyclone prone area for my entire life, I have learned to 'be prepared' for storm season. It's second nature.

 

Something I think we've all learned recently however, is that we are not always prepared for other unexpected events in life.

 

A friend of mine was hospitalised recently. NOT with Covid-19 thankfully.

 

She's home now, but you wouldn't believe what a pressure this unexpected confinement introduced into their lives. Apart from the very obvious worry for her and her family, it transpired that she had no sleepwear suitable for public viewing being a trackpants and tshirts for pyjamas kinda gal, and no toiletries that were not currently in use by the family.

 

Her husband was entrusted with the task of remedying the situation, and whilst you might imagine that husbands would be good at buying their wives sleepwear, judging by how that's so often marketed for Mothers Day, under duress, it's not that easy. And certainly not with current restrictions on shopping and many retailers being closed!

 

What size, what sort of fabric, what colour, pants and tops or nightgowns, what size slippers...these were all the kinds of decisions he had to make, without the relevant information at hand.

 

He also had to buy toiletries of all kinds, likewise without knowing what he was doing really...how many husbands really know our preferred toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant and so on. And of course, when you're unwell, the familiar becomes so important.

 

He managed, but his wallet was several hundred dollars lighter for the experience, which did not help anyones state of mind at the time.

 

This got me thinking that first of all, my husband would not have a clue if this were to happen to us. I have very particular taste in sleepwear, toiletries and general items of comfort, and the poor man would not know where to begin.

 

And secondly, with a very difficult Mothers Day coming up, given isolation and social distancing measures, could I use this idea to generate some gifts for the Mums in my life?

 

That list might include hair care items including hair ties and clips, like these...

 

Some pretty nightgowns would be absolutely essential, and I have a collection of patterns, both my own vintage ones and ones I've found on eBay or in thrift stores. Sleepwear styles do not change much from one decade to the next, and these styles remain comfortable and attractive even given their 30+ age...

 

Even a style like this one below, is surprisingly easy to construct, and even when you're ill, it's empowering to have a pretty nightgown...

 

 

Pharmacies always have little miniatures of toiletries available, and even samples can be a handy thing, and are given away routinely upon request in some pharmacies and department stores.

 

Imagine a gift that included a pretty nightgown (or two), some facewashers and a favourite soap, a dry shampoo and hair care items, toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, hand cream, light makeup items, and all presented in an adorable drawstring bag. Pretty, useful and welcome for anyone of any age.

 

I've done one for my daughter, and I'm off to start mine now!

 

What would you add to your emergency care kit?

 

 ...Mimi...

Motherly Advice...Being Prepared...the 48 hour rule...

 Prepared: get ready, make preparations, arrange things, make provision, get everything set, take the necessary steps, do the necessary, lay the groundwork, do the spadework, gear oneself up, gird up one's loins, fit oneself out, kit oneself out, rig oneself out, provide, arm oneself,

face up to.

Informal-'psych oneself up'

"If you want peace, prepare for war."

Well, here it's not 'war' exactly, but it can certainly be 'chaos' without being prepared!

I'm a great believer in a similar idea...

 'If you want an organised life, prepare for the times when it's chaotic'.

It's a great ethos.

After many years of lurching from day to day and wondering why I never felt on top of things or why I was always making a mercy dash to the supermarket, or stationery supply store, for a forgotten ingredient or school item, I finally realised that the remedy was to be prepared.

Annabel at The Bluebirds are Nesting and Patsy at A Working Pantry both talk about preparedness in terms of stockpiling and planning for emergencies and illness.

I'm referring today, to just the simple sort of preparing that means looking ahead 48 hours. Lets call it The 48 Hour Rule. It means looking two days ahead and ensuring that everything you need for today, tomorrow and the next day is well in hand. From clean and ironed uniforms, school clothing or work outfits, to assignments that need completing, to supplies that need purchasing, and gifts that need to be bought or assembled...it all helps. If today and tomorrow are organised, and the tasks you perform now are for two days hence, you have so much more breathing space. You also have a peaceful mind and heart, knowing that tasks are being completed in a timely fashion and that whatever life throws at you, you are ready. And let's face it, life loves to throw us a curve ball every now and again, just to keep us on our toes.

Honestly, most difficulties can be averted or avoided entirely, simply by using my simple 48 Hour Rule. I'm not talking about natural disasters or the like. Just simple planning around family needs by looking at the schedule, and arranging meals, shopping, and other essential tasks accordingly.

This week, I've been busy 'preparing' costumes for my daughters school dance troupe. I love doing this and I love the financial savings it allows for all families involved, but it does take my attention away from my usual routine. This sort of preparing is longer term and is actually months in the making. But still, looking ahead, factoring in distractions and hiccups, saves time, energy and money.

So I've been using my 48 hour rule a great deal lately, and it really does help.

This week alone, it's meant I could prepare tonights meal yesterday...the pasta bolognaise bake pictured at the top of my post will provide us with a dinner and a lunch. I also baked on the weekend, defrosting and serving little heart shaped cakes for school lunch for my daughter, and dessert for the family.

 Using the 48 hour rule, meant that my husband could visit the florist yesterday and buy my favourite red Colombian roses. I can guarantee if he'd left that till tomorrow, a special event day here, he would have been disappointed! 

It meant that he was rewarded with a bunch of carnations, being sold inexpensively as a bonus with purchase.

It also meant that I was able to whip up some of my French Inspired pillow cases for my Mother in Law, saving an expensive trip to the shops for a gift.

 

The 48 Hour Rule means that the majority of the time, I can rise to meet a crisis with the confidence of knowing that my own family will not be affected.

At least my family are fed, dressed in clean clothing, and I have tomorrows lunch and dinner well in hand. 

My 48 hour rule never fails to bring peace to our chaos and for that, I am grateful :)

...Mimi...