any tips for coping with twins?

Question

i have twin girls at 18mths and things is not getting any easier, any tips?

Answer 1

I have identical twin girls who are 3 years old. They are just beginning to get a bit easier. I have 8 sets of twins in my family and not one of the parents to the twins have ever told me it gets easier! The key to it all is some kind of routine. I'm very fortunate to have a lot of family near by who help out. I have also learnt my house will never be tidy and the ironing will always be there! My girls went to pre-school from 2 years and that was a big help. They don't sleep during the day now so I am able to get them in bed earlier so I get a bit more "Me time" I also work part time but to be honest I go to work for a rest! I don't think anyone has a clue what its like to have twins unless they do have them. These days the good days out weigh the bad, but when it is a bad day boy is it a bad one!! I wish you all the luck in the world with you twins and if ever you are having a bad day and want to have a moan you can always email me or get me on my messenger!

Answer 2

My twin girls are 3 - they are pretty good but I think this is because I have been very laid back with them. When they were born I just took every day at a time and did not let the fact that it was hard work stop me from going anywhere. First bit of advice, if you are attending a twin group then stop - I found it made me feel depressed, all this stuff about twins being special - yes they are but twin groups seem to draw this out and use it as an excuse to wine about how difficult it is and why you cant get dressed and get out and have a life.

I am 38 years old and have an older son of 9 I also work fulltime as a social worker and my husband is a full time police officer. I also have a life and enjoy going out with my husband and my friends. Dont be afraid to find your own techniques. When I used to try and get them both in the car when they were first walking if I was on my own I often had to hold one down on the floor with my foot whilst I put the other one in her seat - better than her running out into the road dont you think.

You can do it - be creative and do what works for you and dont compare your twins to other friends singles - their development is different. Good luck

Answer 3

I do not have twins, but I have two girls who are 1 year and 3 weeks apart. Sometimes it feels like I have twins!! They are 3 and 2 now.

Every Mom goes through times when they think "what the hell did I get my self in to!!?" I know I have. Just know that there is a nap time around the corner, that bed time is the light at the end of the tunnel of a bad day, that your husband will be home soon to help out. Don't be afraid to ask for some extra hands to help out with the kids, the laundry, house cleaning or just so you can take a shower. That was the biggest thing for me to over come. In a way I thought if I asked for help I was showing defeat, that I was not a good Mom and could not handle things as a grown woman. That's not the case! You are saving your sanity! :D I don't know who said this but I will always remember it: "It takes a village to raise a child".

You have made it 18 months!! As your girls get older it will become easier- especially when they learn to talk and can tell you that they want juice instead of milk- then you skip the 30 minute long guessing game as to what they want followed by 30 minutes of them in a screaming melt down because they can't tell you they want the juice and not milk!!!

Hang in there honey! I wish I could give you a hug! Everything will be fine. :)

Answer 4

I have twin boys, who are now 11. I now exactly how you feel - when they were born I also had a 4 year old and while they were no trouble as small babies, by the time they were mobile things were a bit trickier. On a practical level put up stair gates - we even put one up across their bedroom so that they could play but still be supervised. Contrary to what people say, having two children close together is not the same as having twins - with twins they are going through teething, toilet training etc. at the same time. My saviour was putting them to bed really early at night - often before 6. Because they were together, they slept really well. Things will get much easier and now I would not be without them. They are never lonely at school and are the best of pals. You are blessed, it's just hard to see it just now.

Answer 5

I'm a mother of identical boys, 2 and half years old. I'm lucky they are great.
See the good side : they are going to talk soon, so it'll be easier to know what they want. And they will soon play together. Do give them a nap in the afternoon, and when they sleep do relax.
If they both walk (sometimes there is 1 that does walk much later than the other one), go to playgroup, put a table cloth (plastic) on the floor and give them wax crayon and paper, involve them like helping you to load your washing machine, story time, a nice long bath with few toys,playdho, Lego duplo and a lot of fresh air.
and if you need more help, contact the TAMBA association (twins).
goog luck.

Answer 6

Going on personal experience i would have to say get lots of sleep or at least rest. When the twins are napping...mum should be napping or resting and not running around cleaning house, washing up, making dinners...if you dont rest then you'll eventually burn out! Nappy changes can be made fuss free if everything needed is to hand and all prepared ready...if possible invest in double the bottles you would usually need so that one set can be steaping and ready to be washed and sterilised while the other batch are beeing used. Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

Hang in there you're doing fine! Two can seem exhausting but you get double the love back (and prezzies when they get older!) the routines of feeding and changing can get realyy tiring when you've two to take care of and being the same age with the identical needs you never seem to rest do you? Try giving them a little independent space ie set one off colouring or playing with a toy and tell the other it's time for them now, just as you would with two children of different ages. Distract or reason when things get a little two much children adapt and as they get older when every other parent is complaining that their children don't get on with their siblings you can smile and know that yours do. Honest I cared for triplets for over a year and they were each others best friend and brother.

Answer 8

I have twin girls also. They turned four last month. When they were 18 months to 2 years, it was especially hard. They were always fighting, or doing things like cutting each others hair or painting their walls with nail polish. It was the terrible two's times two! They are still very hard to take care of. I coped by placing them in separate corners until they said sorry to each other. I also gave them "duty's" to do for me, things like folding laundry or coloring. Oh my gosh I have to go, they just dumped an entire 2 gallon jug of laundry detergent out and they are playing in it naked!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

I have 9 year old twin boys. I don't think things get any easier no matter how many children you have. Just enjoy your children. Yeh, its not easy at times, but that's the adventure of having children - its a challenege. Take one day at a time.

Good luck

Answer 10

My son and daughterinlaw have twins who are nearly 6 now, they were never afraid to ask for help. You and your partner must work together on this and believe me it does get easier, try to enjoy your time with them when they are small the worst is still to come (teenage years doubled) best of luck