when you pcs with kids

[basilosaurus]

What would make your first couple days easier? Just found out we're pitching in as sponsors this afternoon for a family with a 3 and 5yo since their sponsor had to go out of town. Don't know what type of room they'll be staying in, so no idea if they have a fridge, microwave, cooking facilities.

I just thought we'd get a couple small bits of groceries. We have a cooler we can lend them, too.

So far we've thought of milk, cereal (what kind?), bread, pb&j, fruit, and the starbucks via packets (we have a ton here).

And I guess thinking of it, you can't have cereal without bowls and spoons I do have some extra disposables here at least.

[prettyinpink]

I'd do something basic for cereal like cherrios or something of the like. I know our friend's 4yo loves string cheese and yogurt. I might do some celery and carrot sticks too. Napkins, little ones are messy!

I might pick up some crayons and a some coloring books too. If they have come a long ways they are probably board with what they have with them.

[basilosaurus]

Well, I don't think it's a long trip since they're coming from the mainland, but my perspective is whack I know

Good call on the yogurt and cheese.

Cheerios it is. Plain or honey nut?

Should I put some sandwich meat in there? Or would that necessitate too many condiments?

[prettyinpink]

I'd do honey nut Cheerios.

Sandwich meat would be good. I might just get a small container of mayo and plain mustard to go with it.

And don't do fancy bread, the plainer the better with kids. I'd just do a basic split top wheat bread.

[basilosaurus]

Thanks for the quick help!

Ugh, I remember hating wheat bread. Multi grain was fine, but wheat was gnarly. I still stick with one kind of multi grain, although a loaf can last months in my freezer.

[Dumbledork]

Any way to figure out if the kids have peanut allergies? They should be fine if it's still closed up, but if you cam find out beforehand you can save yourself from buying it.

[basilosaurus]

Nope, they're en route Nice lead time we got.

[amaristella]

Maybe ask probing questions about food preferences after they get there? It's difficult sometimes to know what sorts of things people are feeding their kids.

[audette]

I'd probably have a small basket of a few things like bottled water, plain cheerios (I don't know anyone that gives little kids anything but plain ones), instant oatmeal, some apples and bananas (or other fruit that does not need refridgeration), a box of granola bars.

I'd also include some basic plastic/paper stuff for food. Even if they get take-out, it's nice to be able to put a kid's portion on a plate for said kid.

I'd also ask a few things, and offer to bring more the next day when you find out what their resources are, and what their preferences are.


I wouldn't bother with Via packets - I've never seen a hotel room that doesn't have a method for making coffee in it. I also don't trust coolers to keep dairy cold for much time. It's probably fine, but I'd be reluctant to use it, and most hotels have milk available in a breakfast room if they'll be having it for breakfast.


Anyways, I'm not a parent, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I'm also not familiar with hotels in your area, so it's possible they aren't like what I'm familiar with.

[decemberrain]

Jun 28, 2012 1:01:29 GMT -5 @88mangoes said:

Man, I wish our sponsor was as nice as you.

This! We were lucky to even get our sponsors to answer any of our questions and the ones they did answer they gave us the wrong answers to.. so yea :Y: way to be an awesome helpful sponsor!

[Beeps (WOT?*)]

If you know whether the kids are boy/girl instead of paper plates, what about buying them the little sectioned plates or kids plates and matching bowls and silverware with Disney princesses or Cars characters or something similar and a little "welcome" toy for each of them (car, doll, coloring book and crayons, etc.)? Not as pokey and the kids love them. The parents will probably love you for thinking of the kids.

If they're staying at the lodge, chances are they'll have pots/pans/dishes, etc. I don't think I've seen a lodge without them. If not, I'd assume they at least have a kitchenette for short-term use.

low-fat milk, Cheerios, lunch fixings (you can do something other than PB&J in case there are allergies...something along the lines of fruits/dried fruits, string cheese, crackers, yogurt - snackable lunches). Whole grain white bread; they get some of the benefits of whole grain but the likeability of white bread. Sandwich fixings. If there's a drive-through that serves condiments in individual packets, see if they'd be willing to donate a few packets of each for the cause. Individual boxes of drinks for the kids (Horizon milk, juices, water) and water and/or juice for the parents.

Shampoo, conditioner and body wash "just in case."

[basilosaurus]

I guess I'll update b/c this thread is still alive. FTR, I had about 2 hours from when I found out we were involved to when they landed. There was definitely no talking to them beforehand about their preferences/allergies or planning anything elaborate. It was literally a post/run and a dash to the grocery on the way to the airport.

To f/u on the lodging situation, they had actually called the lodge who said they could give them 3 of the 4 weeks they wanted, the one week missing was in the middle of their stay. Yet, they didn't actually reserve those weeks. They thought they could just show up, and the extra space would still be available. Nope. I have no idea why they thought that would work.

So, we found them a hotel for the 30 days, and after another day of searching they found a better place, something like a short term condo, and moved out of the hotel. Crisis averted, but what a hassle. Poor H spent like 4 hours with them in the lobby of the lodge, calling all the hotels to find any openings.

[Beeps (WOT?*)]

You and DH are good sponsors to go through all those headaches and they lived to tell about it.