By Dr. Jenn Berman
Parents of twins face huge challenges, but the rewards of
raising twins are more than just double. The following ten tips will help you
raise happy, healthy individual children who are part of a twin relationship.
- Respond to your children's individual needs as much as
possible.
- Recognize the increase in stress on you and your spouse, and
do your best to get as much support as possible.
- Don't deny one twin what he or she needs or wants just so
you can help the other. For example, if one child wants to take a class but the
other does not, allow the one who wants the class to attend instead of keeping
both at home.
- When speaking to a twin, make eye contact and address the
child by name.
- Nurture your relationship with each child as well as your
relationship with both of them together.
- Insist that both children speak for themselves so that they
will learn good speaking skills.
- Teach your twins how to have alone time.
- Prepare your twins for the fact that life is unfair and that
they will each be given different opportunities.
- Protect your twins from each other by teaching them to fight
fairly.
- Talk to your twins and read to them as much as possible to
help them to develop language skills.
The greatest gifts you can give your twin children are love,
support, and recognition of who they are both as twins and as unique people.
From the book The A to
Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids. Copyright ©2007 by Dr. Jenn
Berman. Reprinted with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA. www.newworldlibrary.com
or 800/972-6657 ext. 52.
