By Susan M. Heim
Are you on Twitter yet? For those of you who don't know about Twitter, it's called "micro-blogging" for a reason. Basically, you answer the question, "What are you doing right now?" in 140 characters or less. It's ideal for parents of twins because we don't have a lot of time to write anything longer! You can choose whose "tweets" to follow -- like those by other parents of twins -- and hopefully they'll choose to follow you and you'll make a connection! It's a fun way to meet new people with whom you have a lot in common. I recently asked my fellow Twitterers who have twins to give me some of their best tips. Here's what they had to say:
@sundi_moz New moms need to WRITE DOWN everything. I used to call it the Dr. Diary. Dr wants to know wet/dirty diapers, time ate, oz. It is hard enough to remember for one infant -- 2 is impossible when sleep deprived!
@sundi_moz Once they get older understand it is ok for them to do stuff apart. Mine are in sep. classes @ school & do so much better.
@dixonart My fave twins tip is to take them places (even mundane places) separately so they can have individual attention. Now that my twins are almost 15, they still want to go someplace with a parent alone.
@kristins4kids Remember that they aren't the same person and have differing needs and wants.
@EarnestOne Treat them as individuals. Have as much fun as possible. Teach them to take turns early! Build unity to keep rivalry down.
@BabyDipper By far the best advice I got was to not think of the food groups day-by-day, but week-by-week. Much less stressful!
@ScaryMom If the twins are playing quietly, they are up to no good.
@Angi_405 They don’t have to share everything! Let them have some things that are just theirs! Assigned car seats, beds, toys, etc.
@CarolinaMama Twins advice on boys -- individuality and exercise often is key here!! Celebrate their differences!
@beartwinsmom Keep the babies as much on the same schedule as possible. Get help; make meals ahead of time.
@beartwinsmom If one twin is special needs, make sure you spend extra time with the NT (neurotypical) twin.
@beartwinsmom Have someone come over to help with cleaning house, not taking care of babies.
@beartwinsmom Make sure momma takes time for herself; moms need breaks, too. Parenting twins is stressful, but rewarding, too.
@beartwinsmom Look into joining a local mothers of multiples club for local support and friendship. Other MoMs understand and can help.
@jenuinejen Sleep when the twins sleep.
@jenuinejen Trust your instincts.
@jenuinejen Having babies on the same schedule was essential to my sanity.
@MommyBrain I shop at outlet stores, and wait for major end of season sales to buy for the following year. Buy a little big, and save $.
@sera_s_daddy Keep them together 24/7...dress them alike, so much fun to have them play "swap."
@Aspire_Shawn Dad of twins here -- start them off as infants on a clear schedule, you can't let them dictate.
@Aspire_Shawn Separate them by Kindergarten / 1st grade into their own class and let them do their own thing.
@mrsizabel The floor is your friend. Set up a blanky & both babies can benefit from mommy's closeness even if we only have 2 arms.
To see what else these parents have to say, join Twitter (or login if you're already a member) and type in the screen name of the mothers above after http://www.twitter.com/. For instance, to visit @dixonart's page, go to http://www.twitter.com/dixonart. If you have a tip to share for this article, log in to Twitter and type @parentingauthor next to your tip. I'll add it to the list! And please be sure to "follow" me on Twitter! Just go to http://www.twitter.com/parentingauthor and click on the Follow button. I promise to follow back!
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quietude ...