What We Do

  

HVPOM offers Support, Advice, & Friendship

   

Welcome Packet	Our group continues to expand our resources and support for new and expectant parents of multiples.  New members will receive a “Welcome Packet” upon receipt of their completed membership form.  This packet will explain many of the features of the organization and help you get connected to the other members of the Huron Valley Parents of Multiples.
Mentor Program	New members are automatically paired up with a “mentor” of sorts.  Upon joining the group you will receive information from our Membership Coordinator to make sure you know what is available to you through the group.  A “mentor” is really just a friend you can call or email with questions, and a person who will check in with you periodically as well.  It is our hope that you will contact us with whatever questions you might have, but we know you will be busy, and we’ll try and check in with you, too!  There are many members of HVPOM that look forward to speaking with new and expectant parents, so please let us know where we can help!
Yahoo! Group	Our members-only Yahoo! Group site is more active than ever.  There are files and databases that you can access with information about HVPOM and advice from members about a variety of topics (from dentists, to traveling, to tips for new moms).  The listserve is quite active and we encourage all members to post and respond to questions frequently.  To encourage discussion, we have a weekly “Topic Tuesday” where a question gets thrown out to the group.  An enormous amount of connection happens through this group, as our members know how difficult it is to get out to events with multiple babies!  Also on the Yahoo! Group is a database to arrange “Babysitting Swaps” and “Playdates.”
Meal Support	As parents of multiples, we know how exhausting it is to come home with two new babies.  Feeding the babies takes all day and it is sometimes hard to remember that the parents need to eat themselves!  As a benefit of membership, HVPOM provides at least two meals for families with newborn multiples.  You will be contacted by your “mentor,” the membership coordinator, or the meal support coordinator after the birth of your babies to schedule your meal support.  If you have family and friends providing support in the early months, HVPOM is happy to help when your other support begins to wane.  Please let us know what works best for your schedule as we want to help when it is most beneficial to your family.
Playgroup Information	If your multiples are already here, you may wonder how you will ever have time to get together with other parents and children with things so busy already! Getting out and socializing with other families is wonderfully restorative for parents and a great way to burn up your kids’ ever abundant energy - no matter how old they are!  HVPOM currently coordinates informal playgroups through our Yahoo! Group. There is a database available where you can post your own availability and look for others who have kids of similar ages or who are free when you are. Sometimes getting together with someone whose kids are older than yours can be very helpful as well!  If you’re looking to get your own kids out of the house, feel free to post a message on the listserve and invite others! Should you wish further assistance networking with others in the group, please don’t hesitate to contact the Membership Coordinator at: .
Peer Support	Our members come from diverse backgrounds and our pregnancies, birth experiences, and children vary as well.  While may of us have had (relatively) uneventful pregnancies which resulted in perfectly healthy children, there are several members who have had difficult pregnancies, births and children with various (foreseen and unforeseen) medical issues.  Our group seeks to provide support to any parent of multiples about the myriad issues that face them. Many of our members have a deep understanding of what it’s like to raise multiples and have an outstanding knowledge of local NICUs, local pediatric specialists of all shapes and sizes and advocacy venues available for parents of multiples. We also have members who have survived the loss of one or more children, have had fertility problems or simply wish to talk about their experiences. In short, our members understand the stresses facing any parent of multiples.  Our group offers a network of support options (usually contact is made by email or telephone).  If you would like to receive support, or have support to lend, please contact our Membership Coordinator at: .

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