Skip to Content

10 Ways To Encourage A Home-bound Friend

Sharing is caring!

While this post is highlighting ideas for someone home-bound, the ideas on this list could be used for all sorts of things! Encourage a mother-to-be on bed rest, a friend in the hospital, a family with a newborn, someone that doesn't have family nearby, etc. As my blogging friend Laura so beautifully wrote, "Compassion is the beginning of love, and without love we are nothing." So, go spread some love!

Feet in the circle
1. Take them a meal--Check for dietary restrictions or cravings first! For me, it spoke volumes that a friend brought us dinner last week.  Since I can't stomach cooking without getting sick yet, it gave my husband a break for one night...priceless! When we had Jonah, our church family brought meals for 2 weeks! If you have a reason to organize a large number of meals for a friend, try using TakeThemAMeal.com

2.  Send them a card--Seriously, how easy is that?!? Let them know that you're thinking of them. Trust me, REAL mail is so much better than a message on Facebook!

3.  Call them--Chances are, if they will be home-bound for long, they'll get lonely and need some conversation.

4.  Offer to watch their children--It doesn't have to be for long, even just a morning playdate will be greatly appreciated. When Mommy gets sick it's a hard thing to entertain little ones well. Chances are, the kids need a break, too! (A sweet friend took Jonah last Friday morning for a few hours....pure bliss for everyone!)

5.  Take them a "Survival Kit" stocked full of snacks, their favorite magazine or a new book, some fun new socks, fancy lotions, etc.

6.  Take a movie to their house and watch it with them. Bring a snack they're craving.

7.  Do something for their caregiver. Give them a break. Offer to help while they go run errands.

8.  Offer to pick up something from the store for them. (I seriously could have used this a few weeks ago for Ray's birthday & Valentine's Day. Instead, I handed him an I.O.U. Real romantic of me, huh?)

9.  Offer to drive them to an appointment or through the drive-thru for a milkshake . (Since I'm currently not allowed to drive while on this crazy cocktail of medication, I think this would be awesome!)

10.  Offer to help them clean their house. Most likely they'll refuse, but you would be an awesome friend to load the dishwasher and run the vacuum. 🙂

A note for my "In Real Life Friends" that might be reading: This is in no way a plea for you to come to my house and clean. It's just a general suggestion for people who might need an idea on how to encourage a home-bound friend. I'm fine. Carry on...unless you feel like bringing me a strawberry milkshake and french fries 🙂

Sharing is caring!

The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling with Chronic Illness | Gricefully Homeschooling

Friday 28th of June 2013

[...] offer your friend or family member support… and share this post with them. Also, check out 10 ways to encourage a home-bound friend thanks to Happy Brown House.**Book for caregivers : When Someone You Love Has a Chronic Illness by [...]

Vanderbilt Wife

Sunday 13th of March 2011

Sara, I would LOVE to bring you food--and yes, I know this wasn't a plea. Or take Jonah to the museum or something with us (except I don't have room for a third carseat. Hrm.). I was so miserable my entire pregnancy with David and I know that's nothing near what you're feeling.

I will get in touch.

Oh, and this road trip to Hershey? IT'S REALLY FAR AWAY! ;)

Sara

Sunday 13th of March 2011

Thank you Jess! I really am starting to feel better, but still exhausted....as are most pregnant mamas.

Terry Elisabeth

Tuesday 8th of March 2011

What a nice list! It is full of easy ideas. I visited your Etsy and I really like your coffee rings. Knowing it's for an adoption, I'm even more willing to buy some to give as gifts.

Sara

Tuesday 8th of March 2011

Thank you so much! Yes, we started our adoption and then I also got pregnant unexpectedly! It's a bit of a whirlwind, but a journey we're excited about!

Robin ~ PENSIEVE

Tuesday 8th of March 2011

Sara...I'm ashamed...I didn't realize what was going on with you! I'm so hit or miss online, I've just missed any mention :(.

Are you okay? What's going on with you now??? Are you confined to bed???

I'LL BRING YOU SUPPER. And hope it's sooner than it took me for Vanderbilt Wife!!

xo

Sara

Tuesday 8th of March 2011

Haha! You were a little busy with Extreme Home Makeover when it all started up. Yes, I've been very sick with this pregnancy (you know that I'm pregnant and we're adopting, right?) I have hyperemesis gravidarum (morning sickness on steroids) and have been in and out of the hospital and on home-health for medication. I'm on a Zofran pump (like an insulin pump, but with my medicine). I'm not confined to bed, just not allowed to drive while medicated. I'm actually feeling better this past week. My sweet husband has been doing great at keeping up with everything! Seriously, we're good! Just say a prayer that this is going away soon! Thanks, Robin! :)

Lindsay @ BytesOfMemory

Tuesday 8th of March 2011

Great list! There were several on here I would never have though to do!

Sara

Tuesday 8th of March 2011

I'm sure there are even more that I hadn't even thought of!