Card ideas
What to write
in a new baby card.
Most new baby cards are addressed to someone who cannot read, congratulating them on being born. The people who actually need a kind word are the two exhausted adults holding them.
To the parents
- Sleep when you can and ignore absolutely everyone, including me.
- You are going to be so good at this, and on the days you are not, that is also normal.
- Nobody tells you the first fortnight is mostly admin and crying. Both of you are allowed to be the one crying.
- Congratulations. Text me at 4am if you want, I am up with mine anyway.
To the baby, for later
- Your dad once reversed a van into a canal. You will hear about this again.
- Welcome. It is loud here but mostly quite good.
- Your mum is the funniest person I know. Ask her about Prague when you are about twenty five.
If you do not know them well
- Congratulations to you both. Wishing you a gentle few months.
- Lovely news. Take every bit of help anyone offers you.
Practical and welcome
- No need to reply to this. Meals are coming on Thursday whether you want them or not.
- I am not visiting yet. I am leaving something on the doorstep and going home.
What makes a good one
Do not ask for a reply
They have a hundred messages and no hands.
Offer something specific
'Let me know if you need anything' is a nice thought that never gets taken up.
Skip the sleep jokes
They have heard eleven. They are not funny at 3am.
Include both parents
One of them is being asked how the other is doing all day.
Questions
Short, warm, no advice. Congratulate them both, say the team is covered, tell them not to check email.
Parents, mostly. A line to the child for later is a lovely addition, but the card is read by adults in a difficult fortnight.
Or do not use a card.
A card gets four names and no stories. Send one link instead and everyone writes properly, on their own, without reading what the person above put. Free, and nobody you send it to has to sign up.