[NiteRocker]

Trisomy 18...
I've been taking care of this lovely child for 6 months. I want to do something special for the parents. How can I preserve his dignity for a special valentines gift to the parents?

Hand prints? Foot prints? I'm thinking something like in Pre-K. A memory that may never have time to develope...unless given a gentle nudge.

Any ideas?

[BittyBabyGrower]

Make a little scrapbook for him with hand/foot prints, a letter from him to his mom and dad about how he loves them for being there for him. We this sort of thing frequently in our unit It is something most parents just love.

[hikernurse]

The scrapbook idea sounds lovely. Why don't you include some pictures and some comments from the nurses who take care of him. "Little ____ has the most beautiful smile" or "I remember the day I took off his diaper to change him and he pooped so far he hit the walls of the isolette". Of course, you can say that much better than I did, but sometimes, esp. if they are our primaries and parents live out of town, we can spend more time with them than mom and dad. I know I'd treasure any memory I could gather.

You're sweet to care.