The majority of female dogs really do quite well on their own when they whelp, and many times if we try to intervene we can make things more difficult. So here are some guidelines to simplify the process:
1) Be sure there is a quiet place for her to have the puppies. Often times in the later stage of pregnancy the female dog will start to "nest", or make a spot for herself. She may pick a closet, under a bed, the corner of a room, or her normal dog bed. Let her pick the place, don't force her into a place that is uncomfortable.
2) Once she has picked a place, it is nice to try and put a wooden barrier around the area so that after she has the puppies they won't wander off by accident. Just some simple plywood 1" by 12" or something similar will do nicely. Be sure the mom can easily jump in and out of what we will now call the "whelping area," or "whelping box".
3) Most dogs deliver their puppies right around 60 days, usually between 60 and 64 days. If you really want to be prepared for the event, when you have reached 60 days after the dog was bred, you can take her temperature in the morning and at night (you have to do this rectally; it is very easy, just ask your veterinarian to show you how). Once her rectal temperature has dropped below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you can be pretty assured she will deliver the puppies in the next 24 hours.
4) There is a theme developing here; the female dogs like to make their nests in small, quiet areas and they like to have their puppies at night. They like for things to be quiet and uneventful.
5) When they do start have some puppies just be very quiet. Watch from a distance and let nature do the work. If you want your children to observe, keep them from making too much of a noise or too much fuss.
6) Keep the room lit, but a little dim. This will keep the dog soothed, as well as keep the children and adults in the room a bit calmer.