Articles

By Bridget Sandorford

If you've got twins, you already know that financially it doesn't work out like "buy one, get one free." Too often, raising twins is like "buy one, now buy another" as you pay for double the child care costs, double the amount for formula, and double the numbers of diapers.

That's why it's important to start thinking ahead -- way ahead -- like "How are we going to pay for college?" ahead.

"Wait a minute," you say. "I'm still paying for diapers, and you say I need to think about saving for college?" Yep. That's exactly right, because it's going to be twice as expensive when the college days hit because you've got two kids going to college in the same year. Click to read the rest of this entry

By Mariana Ashley

It's a classic dilemma for parents of twins and other multiples: do we dress them alike or not? Can we dress them similarly, but still maintain some individuality? Will dressing them alike have any effect on their development? Should we always dress them differently? There are just so many questions for something as (seemingly) simple as dressing your twins (or triplets or more). With the inherent stress in raising young multiples, caring for a child every day, and trying to manage your own health and happiness, clothing shouldn't add to your daily grind. Obviously, it isn't a good idea to force your children to dress a certain specific way, especially if they are old enough to choose outfits and styles on their own. However, there are many reasons both for and against dressing your multiples the same. Here are the pros and cons to dressing your kids alike, but overall, I think it comes down to circumstance. Click to read the rest of this entry

Having twins is hard.  I don't think anyone, whether they have twins or not, would argue that.  But, twins can also be absolutely amazing!  As a mother of 16 month old twins, I recently took some time to think about the advantages of having twins.  Here's the list I came up with: Click to read the rest of this entry

By Erinn Stam

Preparing for twins means more than just buying two of everything. As with singletons, there are many items of baby gear that are promoted as "essential" but that parents find they never use after a week or so. When you have twins, you have to be more selective about what gear you purchase (especially when your bill is doubled every time you buy something new) to help ease the increased demands of parenting. Even simple actions like changing a diaper are made more complicated when you are caring for more than one baby. Here are some products that can help make the process a little easier:

Two Cribs Click to read the rest of this entry

I recently participated in a terrific radio discussion about the unique challenges that teachers face in teaching twins and multiples. There are a few myths and some misguided ideas about teaching twins that need to be corrected, and so this segment focused on what every educator and parent needs to know about teaching twins. CLICK HERE to listen to this 15-minute discussion. 

  Click to read the rest of this entry

This week on the TwinsTalk Facebook page, we asked for members' best tips for getting twins and multiples to sleep better. Here are their responses:

1. A SCHEDULE!! my girls have been on the same schedule since birth (minus the night time feedings)

2. I agree, schedule! Also, since birth I've had a little fan and soft music playing while they sleep.

3. Finding a routine that works and sticking to it!!

4. Separate beds. We started out in the same bed and they would not sleep at all. As soon as we got the second bed and separated them, we all got more sleep.

What are your best sleep tips for twins? Feel free to leave a comment below. Click to read the rest of this entry

Thanks to everyone who responded to the Question of the Week on the TwinsTalk Facebook page. Feel free to add to this terrific list!

1. If our girl-boy twins are identical.

2. Are they paternal?

3. "One boy, one girl?" when they're both wearing matching hair clips and dresses.

4. How my twins were conceived 3 weeks apart when your body only releases one egg.

5. "How are they twins? They look nothing alike."

6. "Are they twins?" "Are they girls?" No, they're just in identical pink car seats!

7. "Do you get help?" Really, that's just a nosey way of asking if their dad is around. He's a proud FOM! And wouldn't have it ANY other way! Click to read the rest of this entry

Thanks to everyone who responded to the Question of the Week on the TwinsTalk Facebook page! If you're looking for gift ideas for a family who's expecting or has baby twins, you might want to consider some of these suggestions!

1. A housekeeper :)

2. my double stroller!! def would have had a time paying the $280 for it

3. Both of their carseats, they were $180 each!

4. Diapers! I had to get all the big stuff myself.

5. Big box of essentials like nappy wipes, baby toiletries. My boys are 7 months now and we are still using stuff from the box. Saved me a fortune. Click to read the rest of this entry

Raising twins can be an exciting adventure, but it can also present many unexpected challenges. To make sure each child receives individual attention, and to help with the increased responsibility, some parents are inviting international au pairs to live in their homes and provide care for their twins.

An au pair is a young adult from another country who lives with your family and provides in-home childcare services. Au pairs work up to 45 hours per week, in exchange for the opportunity to live with an American family. Because au pairs provide live-in childcare, they offer more flexibility and can care for your children at times that accommodate your family's schedule. Click to read the rest of this entry

By Monica Curran

As summer finally heats up, being outdoors is the place to be. No longer do children, especially twins, have to be stuck indoors watching television and playing computer games to keep them occupied. There are many things to do with twins outdoors. Swimming is one of the best things to do with twins, especially when it comes to swim lessons. Whether your twins are infants or older, it is important for them to take swim lessons. This is my twins' second year of swim lessons, and they love it.

Click to read the rest of this entry