A Thoughtful Gift For a New Mom

I think being Mom to 5 kids has given me a great appreciation for the preciousness of sleep.  You learn to value sleep from the time you find out you are pregnant to...forever!!!! Sleepless nights don't end when baby starts to sleep through the night.  They continue through childhood sicknesses and nightmares, on into the teens when they start to date and drive. And even when they are adults and leave the nest, we still lay awake nights worrying about them, praying for them, being concerned for them. It never ends. It's the price we pay for being blessed with children.

The phase of life when you start being a parent, and a Mom especially, is probably the most sleep deprived period of all. Not only are you 'on call' 24/7 to a tiny little person, but as a new mom, your body is readjusting to a non-pregnant state and into a lactating state.  It can be a difficult time emotionally as well.  Post-partum blues are very real. It's so important to ask for help when you need it, accept help when offered, and use the time that baby sleeps to catch up on your own down time.  Having a baby is such a wonderful experience, and lots of people will want to stop by to see the new arrival. It's hard to turn away the admirers and well wishers. But, you need to get your rest too.
My 2 oldest babies, both girls, are now grown up and blessing me with grandchildren. I am Nana Sue to Taylor, 6, Davy, 2 and Elijah, 1-1/2. Elijah is going to be a big brother at the end of June! My daughters are both wonderful Mamas, supported by awesome husbands who I am so happy to have as son in laws.
My oldest daughter and her husband have always had a note to stick on their front door to let visitors know that there is a sleeping baby inside and to please knock, instead of ringing the loud doorbell.  This little note has helped ensure baby gets the sleep he or she needs. The note they have for their door, although it does the job, is just a scrap of paper with the message written on it. I thought it would be nice to make them a 'proper' sign to hang on the door.  With daughter #2 having a toddler and another baby on the way, it is especially important for her to get her rest. So, 2 signs were in order!
So.... I decided to make a few different ones.  I printed them out on cardstock and slipped them into clear plastic page sleeves.  Then, I added some ribbon to hang them on the door handle or knocker, or a wreath hanger. The punch out holes on the plastic sleeves make it easy to attach the ribbon. You could also have them laminated at your local Staples and add a magnet to the back if the family has a metal door.
Please feel free to print off copies for your friends and family who could use some extra sleep! You can find the printouts by clicking on the images.  I'd love to hear how you gifted them, or used them yourself!