We have added another form related to all grandparents and extended family members. This forum will be under the same guidelines that all the other forums are held to. This should be a very active forum and we welcome all who post here.

I can't wait to share with other grandparents and grandparents-in-waiting. I guess we will be 'GP's" now! Up front: my son & former girlfriend have no plans to marry. They live 3 hours away from us. Getting info has been slow. She has health issues that may complicate the pregnancy. As an excited GP I want the best for the triplets and for their parents. I'm sewing for her (earlier post) and hope to meet her soon. Pray for all of them.

Hello Debbie - It appears by your post that you have not met the mother of the babies. There is a lot that you can do as a grandparent! I found that I bought way too much clothing - especially preemie sizes. She was on bedrest much of the pregnancy so my husband and I helped them get the nursery ready (painting and decorating). I also helped her organize, return shower gifts. We have an amazing church and they provided meals three times a week and her place of employment three times. After the boys were born, I always checked laundry first and then worked on the dishes.

I have always done a pretty good job of not intruding on my married kids lives. With her, I did twice. One was when she wanted to return to church 5 days after the c-section. I told her that her immune system was low and she needed to rest. The boys were in a NICU about 45 minutes away when she got released. The other time was right after they were born. Her mother-in-law called her husband's place of employment to share the news and also told them he wanted all this time off. I told my daughter that maybe one week off now to help with driving her to see the boys and suggested he save the rest until they came home.

As time goes on, you will find a lot of ways to encourage and help them! She was hospitalized about 45 minutes away and was allowed 1/2 hour wheelchair ride each day (usually). My son in law and myself took turns. He did the wheelies (freaked me out) and I would take her on a sedate ride throughout the hospital once out onto the walkway between buildings so she could feel like she was outside! They allowed us unlimted access to them in the NICU so we would usually go at a different time as did the other grandma. Those were precious days.

Thank you for sharing. I'll keep your examples in mind. Being a virtual stranger to her is one of my concerns; how do I form a trusting relationship in a few months?

If you both have access to email, that is probably the best way! Begin to focus on 'her' rather than the babies. Ask about her past and some of her childhood memories. How she was parented might be an indication of how she will parent.

I haven't met the triplets mom yet, hopefully in January. I have been reading books on multiple pregnancy. As a parent and grandparent I want to help but the two household problem is awkward. I'm nervous that I'll step on someone's toes; when does helping become intruding?

Yeah, that will be tough. The best answer probably will come from them! Ask how you can help out. I am MUCH more comfortable stepping in and helping my daughter's over my daughter in law. She is also much more uptight - a lot due to her mother and some of the issues her mom has healthwise. I can go into my daughter's homes and if messy, start to clean up. I wouldn't do that in my daughter-in-law's home. Respect their rules. My son and his wife lived next to us for several years and I never would just pop in. I determined when they moved there, that I would not intrude. My daughter grew up in a home where we had a lot of foster kids so she was very relaxed. There were things I would have been more paranoid about, but being relaxed helped her not get to uptight over a lot that other parents might have. I also always attempted to stick to her schedule for them - still do - even if unconvenient for me. I ask permission when they come over for certain treats, etc. There are a lot of practical things - diapers, frozen meals, etc. that she can't help but appreciate! You seem to have a willing heart

Hi my name is Shawn, And my son and DIL found out they are having triplet They also have a 2 yr old daughter Olivia. This is a natural preg ~ and a shock a good shock but a shock none te less. They are almost 12 weeks and doing good, Two are identical and one faternal. We have found out that the two together share the placenta but there is a membrane between them. Any suggestions ...stories would be wonderful. Thanks Shawn