10 Tips to Help You Survive Bed Rest

Start a Mommy and Me Book

After going online and flipping through all of the catalogs and parenting magazines, I had tons of great gift ideas and educational projects but I was afraid I would forget them by the time the baby was born. So I got a big notebook with blank pages and divided it into categories (Newborn, Infant, Toddler-Time, Fun Recipes, Holiday Activities). I filled the notebook with article clippings, great gift ideas, and gratuitous parental advice. Now, whenever we have a rainy day, my son and I pull out the book and choose an activity.

Keep a Journal

It helps to have somewhere to vent your emotions. I kept a private journal and a pregnancy journal. In the private journal I spewed forth all of my fears and frustrations. In the pregnancy journal I bonded with my unborn son, sharing memories, dreams, and advice with him.

Beyond Pizza Delivery

I discovered a fabulous company called Food Chariot when I was on bed rest. This company will pick up and deliver food from your favorite restaurant for a small fee (about the cost of a tip). These days, many places other than your basic pizza place will deliver to your home. Look for websites that offer lists of local restaurants that deliver. Think Chinese food, Jimmy John's gourmet subs ... and isn't food delivery one of the requirements of a doting spouse?

Delivering Dickens

Most libraries deliver books to shut-ins. Once a week, while I was on bed rest, I would call my local library with a list of books that I wanted to read and they would deliver them to my house. Check with your library to see if it offers similar programs.