meals/groceries for recovering friend

[leight]

Here's the situation- my dd13's BFF's mom has been in the hospital for 2.5 weeks with a recurrance of Guillen Barre syndrome. She is going to be released this upcoming weekend. She's had a really rough two years- lost her job two years ago and couldn't find work as she's in her late 50's- and unemployment ran out. We've become friendly since the kids became friends and I'd like to either provide a meal or two when she gets home. Now I understand that the family is extremely picky so I wasn't so sure as to what type of meals to prepare. What would you think about me buying some easy to cook things that I know that they do like and provide a few prepared sides? I know the husband likes to grill- they have really super finicky tastes so maybe provide a bit of shopping staples and a few sides, desserts so she doesn't have to do anything until she's up and about some more? The daughter did say that they have nothing in the house and they've been living on fast food and pizza. I thought of having pizza delivered but am not sure if that would really make things easier for the mom in the long run. I thought I'd take the daughter shopping at Aldi's and have her pick out the groceries.

Is this too presumptious? The mom & I were planning on going to a couponing class together so she can learn how to make the most of her food budget but I just don't want to take the burgeoning friendship too far. I didn't visit her in the hospital (just sent cards) because I wasn't sure how she percieved the friendship. I know that she applied for disability just prior to being hospitalized but was told that it could take up to 6 months to get approved so I thought if I picked up some basic produce, some chopmeat & frozen chicken breasts,hamburgers & hotdogs, rolls and make a pasta salad that they liked as well as a dessert that it might help her ease back into taking care of the family and I know the husband could at least grill the meat for a quick meal. Thoughts?

 

[prncess674]

I would just drop off staple items: cereal, milk, juice, bread, cold cuts and maybe some raw meats such as chicken breasts, ground beef.

 

[timmac]

I've done this for people a few times. That they're picky eaters makes it complicated, but I like the idea of providing a few basic staples for the husband to grill, for instance, and some prepared sides.

Look through the looking glass the opposite way for the moment... if you were the one coming home from the hospital, how would you feel if someone did the same for you? (Exactly! So I say go for it!)

 

[ilovemk76]

Ask the 13 year old what they like to eat and maybe take her with you shopping.

 

[leight]

Thanks for the feedback. We were just getting to know each other outside of dropping the kids off that I guess I just wanted validation that I wasn't overstepping major boundaries.

I think I will take her daughter and mine shopping and pick out a few things- that way I can also make sure that the food gets put away & refridgerated before she comes home.

I know that I didn't want any visitors at the hospital when I had surgery last year and while it was really nice of neighbors and my mom to drop off a hot meal for us- I felt horrible when I really didn't want to have a visit or entertain anyone. Also, my own picky family didn't eat half of what was brought and I felt horrible throwing it away! I figure if I help stock the pantry & fridge it would help them all in the long run.