Year: 2024

Children who are old enough to think for themselves and understand what is happening may feel that they don’t want to go to a funeral service. This is a normal feeling and it’s important to respect their decision. Children who do decide to go can be helped through the ceremony by having a role to play. They might be asked to help escort people to the graveside or place flowers on the casket. They can also write a poem or letter to be placed in the order of service. For babies, a special cradle or bassinet can be used. This can be covered with a special blanket or their own baby clothes that you keep from home. Some hospitals also stock tiny outfits that you can use for preemies or babies born too early. You can choose to have a religious or non-religious service and ask the funeral director, an independent celebrant or someone you know to lead it. You might want to include prayers and hymns or have a slide show of pictures. You might want to have a short reading or a toast and you could ask family members, friends or other guests to share memories of the deceased. Some families light memorial lanterns to send into the sky after the service. A child’s funeral can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, and it should be tailored to the needs of your family. You might wish to invite children, teenagers and adults to the funeral or memorial services to help with a sense of community. Children can be invited to decorate the graveside or memorial site and can write messages to their sibling on a message board or matted picture frame. If you are going to invite children to the funeral service, it’s best to talk with them beforehand to reassure them and to explain what they can expect. Younger children can often cope with a funeral well, especially if they are given a simple explanation and have an exit strategy in case they get overwhelmed. It is important that you tell them what they will see (such as a casket or urn) and that people may be crying. You might ask older children to read or write a poem or letter to be placed with the order of service, help place flowers on the casket or urn, or help choose photos for a slideshow. You might also give them other tasks such as handing out flowers to guests or asking them to sign a guest book. If you are planning a ceremony for your child and their siblings, it’s a good idea to designate one adult as their “funeral buddy.” This is someone who will be there to help them if needed. This person can take them to different places in the day, give them food or snacks, and make sure that they have a safe place to escape to if they become upset or distressed. They can also explain to their sibling what is happening and help them to understand that it is okay to cry and laugh.

If you’re expecting a new baby, getting ready for their arrival is one of the most exciting things you can do! However, it can also be daunting – especially when trying to figure out how many of each size clothing item you need. To help, we’ve broken down the standard number of outfits you should have on hand and included recommendations for items to stock up during the summer and winter, as well as for special occasions. The basics A baby needs to be dressed at least once a day and sometimes twice if they’re not sleeping. So having a lot of onesie- and bodysuit-style garments is a good idea, especially in the newborn and infant stages, when you’re adjusting to having your little one make messes at every turn. You may even want to consider purchasing or being gifted some cloth diapers, too, for when you’re on the go and need a quicker, cleaner solution than the traditional paper variety. To make it easier on parents when changing baby, look for onesies that have snaps at the bottom (sometimes called “all-in-ones”), which are much simpler to undress and can be used as a diaper cover if needed. You can also find rompers that have long sleeves (or short) and enclosed feet, which are similar to onesies but more versatile as they can be worn throughout the day and at night. Some brands even offer a combination of both styles – a dress top half with a romper under section, or just a romper with legs – which are known as “all-in-ones” or “growsuits”. At home, you’ll likely need onesie-style pajamas that have built-in feet. Often called sleep and play clothes, they’re great for lounging around the house, and can also be paired with a swaddle blanket at bedtime to help keep baby cozy and secure while sleeping. It’s also a good idea to have a couple of sleepers with zip-up or button-up tops, as these are great for baby to wear out and about when you need something quick and easy for frequent diaper changes. For the colder weather, you’ll need a mix of warmer layers to keep baby comfortable. In addition to long-sleeved shirts and socks, sweaters, and jackets, some manufacturers also produce warm outerwear for babies, such as snowsuits and parkas. It’s important to remember that babies grow quickly and can outgrow their clothing before you know it. To ensure you’re stocked up on the right size, it’s best to reference a brand’s size chart based on baby’s height and weight rather than their age. This will help you get an accurate fit that won’t be too loose or too tight. It’s also a good idea not to buy too many items in a single size, as babies can outgrow them before you’ve even had a chance to use them. To avoid this, it can be helpful to have a storage bin or two on hand for the items that you don’t end up using, so you can donate them or pass them on to friends and family.