Extra Hands

1. To make things run smoother the first few months, ask a friend to schedule times for others to assist you
2. Take help that’s offered, but do it on your terms - give people three choices of what you need help with and when
3. Line-up some extra hands to help take over meals, a bit of housework, laundry and the nurturing of the other children the first few weeks at home
4. ‘HELP’ is a terrific baby gift - an evening of babysitting, scrubbing the floors, entertaining the toddler, walking the dog or preparing a casserole - don’t hesitate to make these suggestions to family and friends
5. Welcome gifts: diaper service, supply of disposable diapers, car seats a stroller, bedding and clothes, breastfeeding pillow, baby snuggly
6. Invest in a strong washing machine and two dryers if possible
7. Invest in a baby monitor - it will allow you to at least stand outside and watch the weeds grow in your garden!
8. Get organized - make note of who is eating what - sleep, habits, medication
9. If you do have older children, arrange time with them alone at least once a month - they deserve time off from the babies too.

Partner Relationships

1. Keep in mind that the husband/wife relationship may have to take a back seat for awhile; develop a good attitude and realize that it is for a short time
2. Help each other and give each other moral support - the families who make it a team effort cope the best
3. Schedule time to be along together - go for a walk, out for breakfast, coffee or a movie - even if you are ‘to tired’
4. Sleep is more important than sex, food or money those first several months - lie down and flake out for a few minutes, you’ll feel better
5. Keep intimacy alive - stay in touch during the day, even if it’s only to exchange minor bits of information
6. Spend time networking with other new parents or experienced parents of multiples so that you do not feel utterly alone

Out & About

1. Get out of the house for regular walks - fresh air clears the mind and makes things seem more manageable - walks are great for you and the babies
2. Try to think ahead; especially when it comes to outings with the babies - keep a prepared diaper bag in the closet/organize clothes in advance for the morning
3. Lo-n-n-n-n-n-g-g-g strollers
4. Try scheduling vaccinations on a day when extra help will be available for the next few days just in case the babies are extra fussy

Taking Care of Yourself

1. Take at least two (2) naps a day!
2. Take time to be alone so that you are refreshed and eager to be with the babies again; take a short walk, have a hot, relaxing bath, or go grocery shopping alone
3. Beat the blues by getting together with other new parents, taking a post-partum course, spending a few hours a week away from the babies and discussing problems openly with your partner
4. Rest as much as possible
5. Did I say rest while babies are sleeping…..

Maintaining Order Strategies

1. Simplify your life and lower your standards - easy care lifestyles, uncomplicated wardrobe and a tolerance for a less than tidy home
2. Take 20 minutes/night to run around the house tidying and be satisfied with that
3. Fold clothing in sets of three, four, five or more for quick changes, or designate a color or mark the tags with permanent marker for each baby.
4. Set up changing stations convenient to where the babies sleep and play, it will save you time and energy.
5. Consider leaving updates on the answering machine rather than answering the phone calls.
6. Keep a current picture of the babies near the door for visitors who come during naptime.
7. Set up a place where the babies can be left alone in a safe environment - playpens or a cornered off end of the living room. If space permits, use baby safety gates at the doorways to the family room, put furniture in storage and make the space a huge playpen with safety and babies’ growth patterns in mind.
8. Clear away the fragile items and the collectibles - less to dust as well. It is impossible to watch for 4, 6, 8, hands constantly - child-proof the house on a regular basis
9. Use the big playpens for keeping toddlers out of things - garbage can, diaper pail, Christmas tree!
10. If three or more of the babies are sick at the same time, ask the doctor to make a house call

Keep Your Sense of Humour!

1. Key to survival - a sense of humour! These early months are only temporary.
   Do not give up!
2. Remember what to do when they all scream at once - LAUGH!
3. It’s impossible to divide your love among the babies - you simply multiply it!
4. Lots of love = lots of cuddles
5. You have to learn to laugh along with them - just take a minute and imagine all of them learning to say ‘no’ on the same day!
6. Parenting calls for creativity - take the best of yourself and apply it to that role!