Sometimes Having Twins is Easier

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Mom Types - Twins and Multiples

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Obviously having two babies has its challenges. Yet there are times, especially as the children grow, that having twins is easier than having one child, and certainly easier than having two that are different ages.

Mommy is not the only friend

I remember when my girls were just a year old, I could leave them in the family room (that was enclosed with gates) and sit in the kitchen drinking coffee and reading the paper for about an hour every morning. I was the envy of the playgroup. Every other mother complained that while they loved playing with their kids, it was tough being the only ‘friend’ around most of the time.

Same needs at the same time

As the playgroup went along many members started having second (and third) children.  A few even went on to have twins. I just could not imagine how exhausted it must be to look after a toddler while taking care of an infant. With twins, you have two children that have the same needs, at the same time. Whether it’s bottles or sippy cups, baby food or cheerios, diapers or extra underwear, going out with twins for the day means packing a lot, but it’s easy in that you just double it.

Safety in numbers

The first day of preschool is nerve-wracking. My girls were just two years old for their first preschool experience and looked as if the packs on their backs would swallow them whole. As the door to their classroom closed and the screams and cries seeped out I thought my heart would explode. And yet, I was comforted by the fact that they were not in their alone. They had each other.

It wasn’t until later that I found out sisters do nothing for a two year old. When you want your mommy, you want your mommy. OK, fine -so while this may not be exactly true for wee ones, I definitely see this working as the girls have grown. This year they started kindergarten and even though they are in different classes, they were comforted that first week knowing they would see each other at lunch and recess. They have made new friends together, fought off “meanies” together, and learned to welcome shy kids into the fold.

THE Birthday

I know there will be a day we celebrate their birthday with separate parties. For now, I will gladly enjoy saving the money I would normally have spent on a second set of invitations, decorations, goody bags, and crafts. We do get two cakes though. Everyone should have their own cake! Lots of restaurants offer a free meal for the birthday boy or girl, so having twins can pay off. And this year, Disney World is FREE on your Birthday.I predict Disney will see a lot of families with multiples this year!

Janine Nickel (@twincident on Twitter) is the the mother of 5-year old twin girls and has learned that there's nothing like children to show you all your defects of character. Janine blogs about her neuroses, her twins, and she reviews products and hosts giveaway at TwoferMom.com.



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thanks!
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Annie_Evett (Editor) 2009-01-28 13:54:19

Hi thanks for this lovely article. Although I do not have twins - I do have two
kids - 19 months apart - and I can agree on all of the points you have above. I
came from a large family - 6 kids - so there was always someone to play with.
my
two - when they are playing together nicely - which to be honest is most of the
time - are delightful - and best mates.
They stick up for each other in the
playground and comfort one another when one is sad. I can only imagine what it
would be like if they were twins.
looking forward to reading more of your
articles.
"Irish twins"
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twincident (Author) 2009-02-02 13:39:09

Annie-
I have a friend with 2 kids who are about 14 months apart and she too
would agree. The two of them are so close they always have a friend. At times I
think they are closer than if they were twins! For some reason, there's less
competition. Thanks for your thoughts! - Janine
Charlotte Bradley 2009-01-29 08:07:19

My twin boys are almost 6 now and I have to agree that in many ways it is easier
... The built-in playmate is a huge thing. We live in the country with no close
neighbors, yet my guys always have each other to play (and fight) with. They are
on the same soccer team (drive to 1 activity not 2). As does Janine, I go for
the one birthday party for now - with 2 cakes of course!

It helps that they
get along (they went to preschool with a set of twins who did not) and I think
the fact that they are same sex twins makes a difference. So as babies, it was
completely insane, but I think I have a pretty good thing going now!
avatar
twincident (Author) 2009-02-02 13:38:58

Charlotte I definitely love that my twins are in the same activities. I even
gave them a choice this year and they both chose the same - thankfully! - Janine
Kerry 2009-01-30 04:39:23

I could write a book on this subject!

My situation is a little different
because I had a 16 mo old when my twins were born. People would say "Well,
at least you are getting it all over with at once".

My twins are
boy/girl, so I guess that changes things a bit too.

After preschool, there
were no combined birthday parties. And making enough cupcakes for 2 classes was
a huge pain.

Now that they are 13, I love having a "spy" that can
tell me what is going on in the other one's social life. If one of them forgets
to bring a book home, it's likely the other one will have it with them. But
they won't "friend" each other on Facebook. Their interests are very
different. They rarely fight with each other, but both fight with their older
brother.

I don't think have twins is any easier or harder than having a
singleton. Just like I don't think that having a boy is easier than a girl
(when...
I forgot about the "spy" thing!
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twincident (Author) 2009-02-02 13:38:33

LOL - that cracks me up because while I don't encourage it, it does come in
handy -Janine
I can relate to some. :)
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littletechgirl (Author) 2009-02-01 15:00:42

As I sit here trying to catch some quiet to read your article, my two sets of
twins are constantly calling my name, coming to see me in the kitchen, and
pulling on my pants leg like there is NOT another person in the house! My girls
are 5, my boys are 2, so sometimes the boys annoy the girls. But yes, overall
I could not have been happier when it was just my girls and they did a wonderful
job of keeping each other busy. They were 3 when my boys were born, so I did
have the toddlers to take care of with newborns.

I will totally agree that
having twins rocks when it is time to pack a bag, or do laundry or get things
together, especially since they are the same sex. It doesn't matter who gets
what shirt, etc... until... they decide to have a mind of their own.

My girls
are also in kindergarten and in separate classes. It is great that they can
learn to live without each other, but it also gets tough sometimes.

Great
arti...
You agree?
avatar
twincident (Author) 2009-02-02 13:40:32

I'm laughing because 2 sets of twins in a whole different ball game...you amaze
me!
-Janine
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