Dear Abby - great list of things to help

This is good advice when there's a new baby in the house. It's also a great list of things to help with when a family is dealing with chronic illness or recovering from surgery. Many dialysis patients would love this kind of help once in awhile!

A recent column by Dear Abby:

DEAR ABBY: My daughter, the mother of a toddler, just had twins. We live four hours away, so I stayed with them for a few weeks to help her and her husband adjust to their larger family. It taught me a lot about how to help new mothers who are feeling overwhelmed.
It's not about holding the babies; everyone wants to do that. Instead, if you really want to help tired parents, do one of the following:

Take the older children to the park, the library, the zoo, to a diner for breakfast. Keep them happy and safe, and bring them home worn out.

Bring dinner or takeout when visiting. Wash, dry and fold the laundry. Get the kids ready for bed, give them their baths, read books to them and wait until they are asleep to leave.

Clean the house, run the vacuum, empty the garbage and change the beds. Buy groceries (the basics), including paper goods, and grab a box of gallon plastic bags, masking tape and Sharpies (to date frozen foods).

The gift of your time is ever so much more helpful than cute baby outfits that are quickly outgrown. Thanks, Abby! -- PROUD GRANDMA IN NEW YORK

DEAR PROUD GRANDMA: My warm congratulations on the new additions to your family. Your daughter is a lucky woman. Your letter should be clipped and saved by anyone who is looking forward to grandparenthood because it is a classic.

Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.