How to Best Parent Triplets and Their Older Siblings

Simplify your life. Whatever the age of your triplets and their siblings, caring for multiple children is an often chaotic and unpredictable experience. Keep your expectations realistic -- while a parent of one or two children may grow her own vegetables or sew homemade clothing, this may not be an explorable option in a house full of children, especially if your children are very young. But don't become frustrated if you opt out of such options -- instead, focus on the big picture of raising happy and healthy children.

With a handful of children, safety is always a priority. While it's impossible to devote 100 percent of your attention to each child at all times, childproofing your home will help reduce risk of injury. When childproofing your home for young children, install child gates, cupboard latches and electrical outlet covers. Never leave a child unattended in a bath, and don't turn your back on one child to attend to another in situations that could be potentially unsafe. If the doorbell or phone rings while you're busy bathing the children, ignore it!

You should also fit a cover over all faucets within reach of the children. Bolt all high bookcases and dressers to the wall to prevent children from pulling them over. Store all medicines, cleaning products and other potentially dangerous substances in a locked container or well out of the reach of children. Keep the number for your nearest Poison Center on hand; dial (800) 222-1222 to find the center that serves you.

Each child, even in cases of multiples, should be treated as individuals from the moment they are born. Instead of calling them "The Triplets," call each one by name. Be sure that each has his own toys and spend quality time with your individual triplets each day. If you are struggling to find the time for individual parent-child attention, carve out special date nights with each child. Marking these date nights on a calendar will help you make them a priority because for many parents, unscheduled events easily fall through the cracks as the day slips away.

Spend time with each of your older children, too. Your triplets' siblings need to know that they are all important to you and that your life does not revolve around the triplets. Siblings of multiples often struggle because, in general, people pay more attention to multiples -- if you have triplets, you know that a simple trip to the grocery store attracts unsolicited attention from onlookers. Siblings may feel not "as special" or left out when they see strangers fawn over their siblings.

Establish a good support network of friends and relatives. Adult company and conversation is important when you are surrounded by several children all day, every day. You may not have much of a social life for a long time, but if possible, try to arrange at least a few hours every month for you and your partner to go out for a meal, watch a movie or even just go for a walk.