Grad Gift for Adult Single Mother

I would give her a practical gift--a stethoscope or a gift card to a place that sells scrubs is a great idea. A single mom of 7 children probably likes practical gifts. I would not do the trip to the spa--unless she had specifically said she would love to do that. I have 3 kids living at home and one I am putting through college. If you gave me a trip to a spa I would feel like it was money wasted that could have been spent to feed my kids. I wouldn't enjoy it.

You could get her a gift certificate to get her degree framed. Then she can hang all that hard work up on the wall! :-)

Ask someone who knows her better (than you do) what store this mom would love to shop (but never gets to) and buy a gift certificate for that store.

I would ask her kids if they would like for you to help them throw a celebration party for their mom. It wouldn't have to be anything big, just cake a few baloons, and a camera for lots of pictures. The kids could make their own decorations and your kids could help.

If she is going into nursing she will need scrub uniforms so a gift card to a local uniform shop (or Wal-mart has uniforms also). Depending on where she will work will depend on what kind of uniforms she can wear. They can be expensive so that is a gift that she would appreciate!

How about a gift card to somewhere that sells nurses scrubs? Or maybe even just bake her a cake so the family can celebrate.

You have received a lot of great ideas! I agree with all of them. Also a gift certificate/card for something that might help her out with the family (put money toward her daycare bill or money on a light bill or a grocery gift card) or a special place they may like to go that they wouldn't ordinarily like an amusement park or restaurant. I would just add if you did have the children help organize a party, give each child a disposable camera to capture the event in pictures. Even the little ones would enjoy that and it wouldn't be a big deal if they didn't get terrific pictures. It would be their view of it and they would have fun. You can get the camera packs at Walmart or any of the big warehouse stores for large events such as weddings and the like. Hey, that might be your gift!
Good luck. You are a good neighbor.

This is my thoughts as I was a single mother that worked and went to school. First she has older kids that she could have watch the younger kids so babysitting is not all that great of an idea. I leave my 14 yr old girls to watch my little 4 and 5 yr old when I need time to get away to the store or get a haircut. You would be suprised what 1 hr to the store by yourself can do for you. The other response about a mani/pedi being a waste is correct. She sounds like she has a lot going on in her life and that would seem like a waste of money to her. The only thing I could think of with the description you gave is maybe you could cook her a nice dinner for her and her family followed by a nice cake. Im sure she would want to celebrate with her kids anyway. That is who she finished school for. Im sure she would really enjoy an evening of not having to cook and you could maybe work it out with the older kids so they know and she doesnt. You could take it to her or invite them over. I would rather do a little extra work and take it to her. I have 4 kids and I dont know that I would want to add more to the mix. I am crazy enough. You could make a nice cassarole like lasagna or rigatoni in a disposable turkey roaster pan and also put a cake in a disposable pan. You could even do a stew or even homemade noodles in a crock pot. Also a nice card telling her how proud you are that she finished. Im sure any uplifting words you would place in a card she would be overjoyed to receive.

I just wanted to comment on stethoscopes. They aren't really worth bothering with unless they are really good quality, and those of course cost a lot. The cheapies are very painful to wear in the ears. The good ones (Littman) cost much more, probably $80 on up. I bought a cheapie for my husband when he was in vet school, and it needed to be replaced within months, so I got a nice one (looked a lot online to get the best deal) and he's been using that one ever since (6 years or more). I just wouldn't want your investment to be a waste! You are awesome for thinking of her like this. I'll bet she doesn't get a lot of such attention.

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These are all wonderful suggestions, amd I'd like to add another one. A great gift would be a stethoscope. Most nurses have their own and it would be one less theng that she's got to buy for her work. Either way, she sounds like an amazing lady who will do great as a nurse :-)

Love the idea of a salon gift certificate, but wanted to tell you what a friend of mine did for me when I completed nursing school...she bought me a very nice, basic jewelry box that has a "nursy" message on it. It was very nice of her and I loved the meaning. Becoming a nurse, esp while raising children is very tough and please let her know how proud and impressed we all are!!! www.J..myarbonne.com

Wow. With seven kids, I'm sure she would enjoy some "me" time. What about a gift certificate for a mani/pedi and arrange for a babysitter if that would be necessary?

I think a good quality Littman stethescope with soft eartips would be a blessing. They are pricey, it took me many years to save up enough for them (I also have 7 kids) so maybe all the neighbors could pitch in. They are so helpful, I can't describe what a world of difference they make. Be sure you ingrave her name in them, as they have a way of disappearing, they are so superior. I "lost" mine two yrs ago at the nursing home, and still haven't gotten them replaced!
If that's too big a gift for you to pull off, just getting the soft replacement eartips from Littman, makes any stethescope work a little better, and is more comfortable on the ears.

I think a nice date book would be a great gift. With children I am sure she always has appointments and that's something every woman caqn use but never seems to buy for herself since there are so many more things that her kids need. You could even ask her children if there is something that she would like or has had her eye on. Something I think a single mom would enjoy is maybe taking her aside and telling her how proud you are of what she has done. Let her know that you want to do something special for her and offer a night of sitting and ask her if you can buy her something nice to wear to graduation. As a former single mom I know how rarely we buy ourselves something new. These are just a few ideas, but I am sure she will be honored and touched by whatever you choose to give her.

The post before me said exactly what I was going to say. An afternoon of babysitting and a gift certificate to a spa for a procedure of choice. The sitting is 'free', so you can spend your $ on the actual gift. Does she like movies? A gift certificate to a local movie theater. A mani/pedi. Her favorite restaurant. If you think about what she does not have, the biggest thing is probably a break with no responsibilities! Very sweet of you to do this for her, I cannot imagine the hard work and stress that she has endured to accomplish this.

Wow! Sounds like a very busy lady with her hands very full. What about a gift certificate to a local salon for a relaxing manicure/pedicure? =0)

One idea is at a day spa - massage, etc; another is get her hair done.

I'd especially do something that would include her and no kids. Her plate is full and you are wanting to really bless her because of the accomplishment - not the kids for their accomplishments.

God bless you for doing this......i was a single mom and would have loved for someone to do this for me.

All mothers put themselves last... why not get her a gift certificate to get a massage or pedicure? Something to make her feel good.

So nice of you and I am sure the graduate will appreciate ANYTHING. I would get a nice card for her and either give a check or a gift card From a nice restuarant,store or even a gas card.)
(I am an older mother who got my teaching degree at age 54 and I appreciated every card,gift or prayer given at that time.)
H.

Instead of cash you could give a gift card. Either to Kroger/Publix or to a school supply store. She has to buy all of her children's books to homeschool and she has to buy LOTS of food for those kids. You could even make her dinners to freeze. You could make a weeks worth and she can either use them or freeze them and not have to cook. You could offer a night or two of babysitting (if you could handle it! :o) to give her a break. You could get her a sentimental gift but at this stage in her life she needs few things.......money, gift cards, babysitters, and free time. You could give her a day for herself, a manicure and pedicure gift card. Those are always nice and always say "relax"...you can get it for $40 or so.

Good for you for being so thoughtful.
W.

As a photographer, I know many single moms would love to have updated photos of themselves and/or the kids by a professional but can't afford them. A gift certificate to one in the area that offers on location might be nice... something other than the typical walmart and JCP posed images.

Another idea would be a gift certificate for a movie theater or some other outing. Single moms often have to forgo the outings as well if money is tight. Then, add in nursing school. Woah.

Just bake a nice cake and knock on the door. Say "Congratulations! I made you a cake to celebrate. Enjoy!" and go home. I think that's an appropriate gift level for a friendly neighbor.

I know that I could never find time to get a way to a manacure or even maintain it for five minutes once I got back home. Also, don't buy anything because you never really know what she needs. Baby-sitting is probably out of the question with so many kids and your arms length relationship.

If I were a single mother of any number of kids, I would appreciate a 30 min. massage. I have 3 children and my mother-in-law gives me gift certificates for a massage for almost every holiday. It is absolutely wonderful. Your neighbor could probably use a little down time.

How about a medal or trophy? She sounds like she deserves one. You could have something special engraved on it or design a medal yourself...M.

may be bath oil,shampoo,conditioner,body spray,bath powder with a note that says some me time can be the best gift for someone thats so busy.being a mom is a full time job plus homeschooling and nurseing school.a little time to her self would be a good thing.or just get to know her better may be lunch just you and her.good luck

Make her a wonderful dinnwe, for all of them. Let your children decorate her table, and make it a celebration. Any woman would love it and feel special.

Get her a spa day card..or at least a pedicure and manicure card. I'm sure she could use a little "me time".

Hi..I am mom to just three and am back in school. If i could pick the perfect gift for my graduation, it would be HELP,lol. If this lady has a slew of kids, she needs it. Maybe you could send her a nice card with chores you WANT to do for her(you might have to be persistent if she's very nice,but when she allows it, she will be so very happy), and let her choose..like cleaning her fridge..omg, that would be so very nice :)

My friend just got licensed to be an EMT. She worked real hard and I was so proud of her. For a gift I made her a little tote bag/purse. It is red with a white cross on both sides. I made mine but I'm sure you could find something similar. My friend uses hers to carry her stethoscope and other medical stuff that are her personal property. It's kind of like the medic bags they use in wars. She carries it with her all the time in case of emergencies when she isn't working.

How about offering to watch her kids for an afternoon or evening? Take the kids out of the house so that she has some alone time at home.

Or if you give her that spa gift, offer to babysit while she goes so she doesn't have to line a sitter up.

--J.

I would check your local scrub stores. They have little neat things that would make a good gift for a new grad nurse and for cheap.

How about something she could use to pamper herself that she would NEVER spend money on for herself (like a gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure)? You could present it as an opportunity to relax and reward herself for all of her hard work.