Twin Toddler Development Archives | Twiniversity #1 Parenting Twins Site

The Terrible Twos with Twins

Amanda Hadley — Tue, 14 May 2024 10:30:00 +0000

The terrible twos. We’ve all heard the phrase and have probably witnessed it in public at least once, even if we didn’t realize it. I heard a standup comic say, “Nobody talks about the toddler stage cause they’re terrors!” Ha! That gave me a good chuckle, but the truth is, the underlining of her jokes were all real and true. I guess that’s one bright side to the terrible twos with twins; it’s funny when it’s not happening to you. Picture this: you ask your twins to wear a red shirt instead of a blue shirt, and instead of a “yes, mommy, whatever you say, mommy,” your child(ren) flings themselves to the ground and starts flopping around as if they were a fish out of water. Sound familiar? Well, my friend, in case you didn’t know, you are currently navigating the terrible twos with twins! So, what do you do when there are two that are terrible? Keep reading because we’ve got the strategies to save your sanity! What is the Terrible Twos? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “the terrible twos are characterized by increased physical activity, more expressive emotions, mood swings, and temper tantrums.” Now, we must mention that although this phase of childhood is called the terrible twos, these behaviors can start before age two and extend beyond it, varying widely from child to child. Either way, the terrible twos is the age where kids develop their own desires but have not yet mastered the art of expressing those desires. How do you know you’re in the thick of Terrible Twos? Here are some telltale signs that you’ve entered the chaos zone: Now that we’ve unpacked what the terrible twos look like, let’s talk about some strategies to manage those inevitable meltdowns. Here are some strategies to help you navigate the terrible twos with twins: Don’t Mess With Eating Schedules Regular meals and snacks help maintain stable blood sugar levels, which can influence a toddler’s mood and behavior. When kids get too hungry, they can become irritable and more likely to act out. Plan meals and snacks at consistent times each day, ensuring they have a balanced diet with a good mix of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats. Keep snacks on hand for when hunger strikes unexpectedly, and try to avoid long stretches without food. Give Them a Heads-up About Potential Triggers Toddlers often struggle with transitions and new experiences. Talking them through what will happen ahead of time can ease anxiety and prevent meltdowns. For example, if you know you’re going to the doctor’s office, explain in simple terms what to expect. Use storytelling, toys, or role-playing to help them visualize the experience. By setting expectations, you can reduce fear and give them a sense of control over the situation. Don’t Cave In Sticking to your boundaries can be challenging, especially when faced with a full-blown tantrum. However, consistency is crucial for teaching toddlers about limits and consequences. If you cave into their demands during a tantrum, they learn that this behavior gets them what they want. Instead, remain calm, stay firm in your decisions, and offer comfort without giving in to unreasonable demands. Over time, they’ll understand that tantrums aren’t an effective strategy for getting their w Avoid Boredom Boredom can lead to mischief and tantrums, so it’s important to keep toddlers engaged and entertained. Create a variety of activities that stimulate their senses and encourage exploration. This could include art projects, building blocks, outdoor play, or interactive storytelling. Rotate toys and activities to keep things fresh, and be sure to join in the fun when you can. When they’re busy and happy, there’s less room for trouble. Be Consistent Consistency helps toddlers feel secure and understand what is expected of them. Whether it’s bedtime, mealtime, or discipline, keeping a consistent approach reduces confusion and makes it easier for them to follow rules. Establish clear routines and stick to them as much as possible, even when you’re tired or busy. When toddlers know what to expect, they’re less likely to act out due to uncertainty. Change Direction When Needed Toddlers can get fixated on things they shouldn’t do, leading to frustration for everyone involved. Instead of constantly saying “no,” try redirecting their attention to a more appropriate activity. For example, if they’re drawing on the walls, offer them paper or a chalkboard instead. Redirection is a positive way to guide behavior without escalating the situation. By shifting their focus, you can prevent a potential meltdown and encourage more appropriate play. Are you thinking this all ends once the twins turn three? Check out Can We Talk About Three Old Twins. When All Else Fails, Take a Break! As you’re reading this, you’re now thinking how do you establish these boundaries with two? Especially when one twin starts crying, the other will chime in and cry louder. This behavior has been given a name by the twin parent community: twin escalation syndrome. Isn’t it lovely? Not that this happens to all twins. On occasion, one of my twins will grow quiet while the other one has a meltdown. However, one piece of advice stood out for me: Take A Break! This advice was given to me by my mother-in-law, who has identical twin daughters. Breaks are important so you can be the best version of yourself for your twins. Otherwise, your mental, emotional, and physical battery is drained. Without breaks, you will be irritable, short-tempered, and tired, all of which are not good for your health! Whether you’re in the thick of the terrible twos or just preparing for them, it can be challenging. But remember, these are just a few trying moments—fleeting episodes within the span of brief moments in the 24-hour day. The rest of the time, twos are such an amazing age! They’re exploring, learning, and amazed at the world around them. Have patience, and give yourself grace during this time. And take breaks, lots of breaks!

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Realistic Twin Toddler Activities

Amanda Hadley — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 10:30:00 +0000

I have fallen victim to “Pinterest ideals” on how to entertain my twin toddlers more than once. All the elaborate crafts, sensory boxes, and advanced STEM projects catch my eye, and then, 5 seconds into the activity, my twins lose interest, and I instantly regret my actions and start rethinking all of my life decisions. If you can relate (and I know you can), you are in luck. We have a list of REALISTIC twin toddler activities that are simple to produce and will keep your toddler’s attention for at least 10 minutes at a time! A toddler’s attention span typically lasts about 3 to 5 minutes per year of age, though it can often feel even shorter. This means there’s a wide window for activities to keep toddlers occupied from morning until nap time or beyond! When it comes to entertaining twin toddlers, I find that simpler activities are often better. Who has the time for elaborate crafts or outings, not to mention the cleanup? (I, for one, have been known to avoid painting like the plague simply because of the cleanup involved.) Relax, mama. We’ve got a list of activities for your twins that even the most exhausted twin mom can manage. These crafts, games, and other realistic activities for twin toddlers are simple to implement, and no exotic supplies or a party planning committee are needed! Twin Toddler Activities with Water Bath Time For Toys Set up a plastic bin outside, fill it with water, add some dish soap, and let your twins bathe their plastic toys. They can use sponges, cups for pouring, and even toothbrushes to scrub those toys clean. This is a great activity for a nice day outside. Pom Poms in the Tub If you’re going to have to do bath time anyway, you might as well take advantage of it. Turn bath time into a fun activity that will keep your twins busy for a little longer while you sit and enjoy a moment of “sitter-vising”. In this realistic twin toddler activity, you only need a bunch of colorful pom poms to drop into the tub and maybe a cup or bucket for scooping up those pom poms. The pom poms dry just fine (I scoop them out with a colander and squeeze out all the extra water). Just be sure to watch younger toddlers extra carefully, who may think the pom poms look delicious. Popsicle Bath Another spin on a bath time activity is the popsicle bath. I credit this brilliance to @busytoddler, and it is as simple as it sounds: let your twins have a popsicle in the bath! It contains the mess, and the toddlers will calmly and happily suck away. Even if they drop the popsicle into the water, it is so diluted that it won’t matter. Squirt Bottle Races My family and I set this up during a 4th of July barbeque, and it was a huge hit amongst the kids. You will need 2 long pieces of string, two disposable plastic cups, 2 squirt bottles, 1 plastic straw, a little bit of tape, and twins! Cut the straw in half and tape one half vertically to the side of a cup. Run a string through the straw. Do this with the second cup, too. Secure both ends of each string to trees or anything sturdy you have outside. They should be at about toddler shoulder level and parallel to each other. Now give each twin a squirt bottle filled with water (set to “stream” rather than “mist”) and instruct them to squirt into the cup to make it move along the string. Let the games begin! Freeze Some Toys in Ice Pretend that Elsa has come and frozen your twins’ toys in ice! Select some of their plastic toys to put into containers filled with water. Place them in the freezer overnight, and voila, you have a simple and realistic twin toddler activity. This will get their creative juices flowing as they try to figure out how to free their toys from the ice. They can use toy tools to chip away at the ice or spray bottles with warm water. When the fun wears off, or they get frustrated, just put the ice blocks in water and watch it melt. Twiniversity Tip: When you first take the ice out of the freezer, let it sit until you can remove it from the container. Silicone containers also make it easier to remove. Realistic twin toddler crafts Painter’s Tape There is a WORLD of ideas on the internet for painter’s tape activities. Painter’s tape is great because it’s not super sticky and won’t ruin anything you attach it to. You can make painter’s tape roads on the floor for their toy cars or painter’s tape bridges from one counter to the next in the kitchen and let them balance pom poms, popsicle sticks, or small toys on it. Run tape across a doorway/hallway at different heights and let them try to climb over or under it. You can even get different colors of tape and have your toddlers practice color-sorting their toys according to the colors of the tape. The possibilities are endless, and the cleanup is practically non-existent. Paper Bag Puppets I am possibly the least crafty mom in the history of twin moms, and I have even done this craft! Paper bags are already hand puppets, so all you need to do is decorate them. You do not have to use paint if you don’t want to. Instead, you can use stickers, tape, markers, a glue stick, googly eyes, felt, or colored construction paper to create animals, monsters, holiday-themed puppets, or my personal favorite, Baby Yoda. You can also let your toddlers go wild with no plan in mind and see what they come up with (as long as you wield the scissors). Plus, after their puppets are created, they can spend time playing with them and bringing them to life! Trace Twins on… Continue Reading Realistic Twin Toddler Activities

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Best Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids

Amanda Hadley — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 10:30:00 +0000

What gift is an absolute game-changer in the present world and is literally the gift that keeps on giving? Monthly subscription boxes for kids! From tots to teens, there’s a universe of cool stuff out there curated by folks at KiwiCo, Ipsy, Highlights, CrateJoy, Amazon, and more. They’ve nailed it when it comes to captivating young minds, regardless of age or what floats their boat (you can gift them a kit where they will actually float their own boat!). The Lowdown on Monthly Subscription Boxes The Upside Picture this: monthly surprises that keep the excitement rolling well past Christmas day. There’s variety galore, catering to all tastes—STEM, artsy stuff, crafts, you name it, they’ve got it! Plus, monthly subscription boxes for kids are the ultimate time-saver for gift shopping (online) and, hello, doorstep delivery! And the best part? Learning is disguised as play! These boxes sneak into education through fun activities, making them a win-win for both kids and parents. The Flip Side Watch out for potential overwhelm! Too many subscriptions might clutter up the place and dull the sparkle of each delivery. Maybe try one subscription box and then evaluate through the year. It’s all about finding that balance. Then there’s the money side of things. Sure, one subscription might not break the bank, but if you start piling them up, those bills can sneak up on you faster than you’d think. And, you know, there’s the chance that the cool box you picked out doesn’t click with your kid’s interests. It happens! So, it’s all about finding that sweet spot where you get variety without blowing the budget and making sure the chosen boxes hit the right notes with your little one. Keep it fun and wallet-friendly. Monthly subscription boxes for kids undoubtedly offer a unique and engaging way to entertain, educate, and delight children across various ages and interests. Careful consideration and selection can ensure that the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks, providing an ongoing source of joy and enrichment for the young recipient. Feeling overwhelmed with the number of gifts your kids get every year? Check out “The 4 Gift Rule: Simplify Your Christmas” Best Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids of All Ages and Interests Whether you’ve got two little scientists, aspiring artists, or adventure-seekers (or any combination), we’ve put together a list that promises to uncover surprises that are designed to entertain, educate, and inspire every single month. KiwiCo Crates KiwiCo is for anyone and everyone, regardless of age. With an age and interest range so vast, you’re sure to find a perfect subscription for everyone. They have a Panda Crate specially for babies 0-36 months where they send you exactly what your twinnies developmentally need. But they also have hobby-specific crates, like the Yummy Crate (ages 6-14) for your mini chef or the Eureka Crate (ages 12-100) for your future engineers. KiwiCo Crates start at $16.95 a month and are designed for ages 0 to 100. Literati I’m a bit of a bookworm and a big fan of personalized picks, so I love Literati! You tell them about your reader, and five personalized books (that are appropriate for your reading level) are delivered to your door every month, but you only keep what you like! Literati Club subscription is $9.95 per month plus the cost of any books you choose to keep and are available for ages 0 to 14. Kidstir Have a little MasterChef Junior? They won’t be able to stay out of the kitchen when they get these step-by-step monthly cooking kits from the pros. And it will help them explore new cuisines, flavors, and techniques each month. Starting at $19.99/month and great for ages 4-14. Pura Vida Bracelets Tween and teen girls will love getting three of the newest and most popular bracelets from Pura Vida each month. And bonus, every bracelet helps support local Costa Rican artisans. Starting at $14.95/month and for ages tween and teen. Lovevery Play Kits I am obsessed with Lovevery Play Kits and think they are every parent’s dream, especially if you take a more Montessori approach to learning. You’ll receive a new one every 2-3 months with developmentally appropriate toys your child will love to revisit as they grow. Each kit includes access to expert research, guidance, tips, and play activities to support your child’s development. Starting at $80 per play kit, delivered every 2 months and for ages 0-4. Little Passports From early learning to culture and geography and STEM, there’s so much fun to be had with Little Passports subscription boxes. It’s a passport to world knowledge and curiosity! Starting at $23.95 per month and recommended for ages 3-8+. Receive 40% off sitewide (must use this link to receive this exclusive offer). Brick Loot Are your twinnies LEGO-obsessed? Brick Loot is filled with the coolest and newest LEGO and brick-related items. So perfect for that kid that goes through LEGO kits like they’re going out of style! Starting at $39.16/month and recommended for ages 6-99+. Ipsy The monthly Ipsy subscription is great for beauty lovers. I had this subscription as a teen myself and loved the surprise products every month and was blown away by how much you get (5 products worth up to $70) for the price! Starting at $14/month and recommended for teen aged kids. Highlights Puzzle Buzz Highlights Puzzle Buzz subscription is perfect for children diving into puzzles, brain teasers, and engaging stories. It’s a great way to keep young minds sharp while fostering a love for reading and problem-solving. Starting at $130.80 for 12 months and for ages 4 to 7. Creation Crate Your future engineers, chemists, and tech prodigies will geek out over Creation Crate’s STEM kits. Watch your child go from beginner to tech wizard as they complete challenges and unlock cutting-edge STEM skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow. Perfect for tweens, teens, and even adults! Starting at $29.99/project and recommended for ages 10+. Think Outside Fuel the passion for the outdoors with Think Outside.… Continue Reading Best Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids

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Age Appropriate Chores for Kids 2 to 14 Years Old

Natalie Diaz — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Wondering about age appropriate chores for your kids? If you have twins, or multiples, you may be wondering how to get your kids to help around the house. Don’t fret, we’ve got some great ideas for chores for kids. Read below for info. Hands in the air if you are sick of picking up Legos? (I see your hand up, and mine is up too!) Are you sick of picking up used wet towels or emptying the dishwasher? Do you ever feel like you are the ONLY one in your home that does any housework? It’s time to for some help. Is it just me, or is this starting to sound like an infomercial? Except we’re not selling you a handy new cleaning tool for the low price of $19.95 (plus shipping and handling of course). We’re going to help you utilize what you already have: TWINS. Although these particular “tools” cost way more (about $310,605.00 over a span of eighteen years) and are probably better at making a mess than cleaning one up. You must keep in mind: that’s four extra hands to help tidy up! When asked, “what is a great chore to have my multiples do?” we asked our Twiniversity community what chores their kids were doing. Here’s what you guys told us: Age Appropriate Chores for Kids 2 to 3 Years Old “Mine will be three in April. They feed the fish, put their toys back in the play room and water the plants. They also “help” with putting away dishes and folding the laundry.” -Rustell L. “My 3 1/2 year old girls like feeding our cats and dog. They also love to help put away the groceries and put things in the recycling bins.”– Amy M. Chores for Kids 4 and 5 Years Old “My neighbor has twins too and she throws a load of socks on the floor and gives them a quarter for every pair they make :)” -Krystal S “I have them use magic eraser to wipe all their fingerprints and crayon “accidents” off the walls, they love doing this, I started having them do it, with the hopes they would hate it and stop touching the walls with dirty hands but it didn’t work.” -Tara L. “My 4 year olds love to dust & clean windows.” -Marlene V. “My girls just turned 4 and they feed the dogs, set and clear the table, pick up their toys, unload the silverware from the dishwasher and put it away, and help bring in groceries in from the car.” -Jessica P. Chores for Kids Between 6 and 7 “Clean the bathrooms. Just use plain dish soap and a wet rag to “wash” and a dry towel to dry up the bubbles and water. They LOVE to make bubbles. It will be the cleanest you’ve ever seen your bathroom!”– Bev H. “They have to unload backpacks, take dishes from table and feed the dog.” – Lori Age Appropriate Chores for Multiples Ages 8-11 12- And 13-Year-Old Age Appropriate Chores Age Appropriate Chores for Multiples, Ages 14 and Up Hopefully we have given you some tips on how to NOT be the only one picking up around your beautiful home and lighten your load. Remember to keep your chore choices age appropiate, or in the long run, you could just be making it harder on yourself. Did we forget anything? What chores are your kids currently doing? Please comment below, if we overlooked a chore that should be included in this list!

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Twin Toddlers Are So Sweet and Also Exponentially More Work

Twiniversity — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 04:00:54 +0000

Twin toddlers are super sweet but they are also exponentially more work than just two kids should be. A mom of twins explains why. “Double trouble!” “You’ve got your hands full!” “I have always wanted twins!” No matter what the cliche, as parents of multiples we have heard it all. I remember meeting moms of multiples in the Target line when my tots were babies. I would wearily look at them and ask when it gets easier. They would laugh. Surely it gets easier, I thought. Perhaps, but today is not that day. Oh, how I miss those precious 3 am snuggles. Now I’m abruptly woken up at 3 am to potty training or a request for water. My twins are three now and I LOVE this age. They are curious, nonstop chatterboxes with imaginations that bring a smile to my face. But it is a lot of work. Not just double, but exponentially more work. They work together. For one, they are a team and they stick together. This is an amazing quality and I’m so grateful my girls will always have each other, but I am concerned about their uncanny ability to get into shenanigans. Their preschool teacher told me one day that whenever they start speaking “twin” it always means trouble. They communicate with each other from across the room, smile, and then run to the door and try to escape. Not stressful at all. They strategically run in different directions. Let’s talk about taking twin toddlers in public. They have reached an age where they refuse to sit in the cart, stroller, or wagon. Independence is important to them; however, they tend to take this to extremes. I can recount on multiple occasions when they wanted to go in different directions. Whether one is chasing a dog and the other is headed straight to the bouncy castle, they don’t agree on the same direction. I’ve gotten into better shape by sprinting across parks and elevating my voice to reach the other. Are you headed into the dreaded twin toddler years? Check out our podcast on gentle parenting here and see how it can help you manage your twins. When one is calm, the other kicks it up a notch. Without fail, when one twin has a meltdown and finally calms down, the other twin gets her cue to bring on the tears. They feed off of each other’s energy, but in the toddler years, they seem to perfectly orchestrate their tantrums to coincide with one another. A favorite of mine is when they are at the park. One may cry for a particular swing, and when I finally convince them that the other swing is even better her sister will suddenly lose interest in the slide and demand that she too gets the same swing. Seems logical. No one can get sick at the same time. It is the absolute worse when a child gets sick. Whether it is a cold, virus, or hand foot and mouth disease, you feel helpless as a parent when they are down for the count. So when you hear other parents say, “When one is sick just give the other twin their sippy cup,” you think, “That’s ridiculous.” Until you realize there is a method to their madness. This winter we had a month straight of taking twins to the pediatrician. One week one twin had an ear infection, the next week the other was throwing up, and the following week the first one had a cough, and the last week the second one had allergies. I give up. The detailed schedule of antibiotics, Tylenol, and vitamins was something out of this world. And they never had exactly what the other one had. Someone is always peeing on something. The best part of parenting twin toddlers? Potty training. (Said no one ever.) Just when one gets it and is wearing training pants, the other decides to pee all over the floor. And when one begins to stay dry at night and you switch them to underwear, they decide the next day to pee all over the bed and the mountain of laundry begins. Twin toddlers have the sweetest, most adorable moments and I can’t help but soak them all up. Rest assured, while they are indeed a LOT of work, you will get through it. I’ve learned by now that it never gets easier; every season just presents a unique set of challenges. But keep keeping on! You’re doing great and while those little tots may cause you to gray early, it’s absolutely 100% worth it.

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When Do Twins Start Talking?

Twiniversity — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 04:00:41 +0000

We Asked Our Community of Twin Parents “When Do Twins Start Talking?” They Shared Details on the Ages, Genders, and Circumstances of Their Twins. “At what age did your twins start talking? Did you find they were a little delayed compared to singletons? And do you think gender played a factor?” Here’s What They Said… One of my fraternal girls is speaking in sentences at age 2, and the other rarely puts two words together. My girl/girl fraternal twins are 14 months and this was a concern to me as of late – they definitely have their own little language emerging but besides mum mum, dada, eyes and the dogs names we can’t make out any other words. I had recently been concerned about my girl/girl twins’ vocabulary so I started recording their words on my phone and I was amazed at how many they were saying once I started paying close attention and writing it down. when do twins start talking My boy/boy twins are the youngest of five boys…. They are 2 years, 4 months and they hardly say anything. All three of the other kids talked significantly more than the twins. Even though they are twins and the youngest, I still felt like they were very behind with speech. I had them evaluated and they are having speech services now. They were born at 36 weeks, 4 days and were not behind in any other way. when do twins start talking My girl/girl twins are 2 and they have been talking well for a few months now. They were 9 weeks early and have been a little delayed in most things but not talking! LOL I have identical girls. They didn’t say much until they hit 2, but haven’t stopped talking since – LOL! Boy/girl twins – they started talking a lot around 3 yrs. They are 4 years, 3 months now and there are still times I have a hard time understanding what my son is trying to tell me. when do twins start talking My identical boys were full term. They started with sign language at about ten months, then twin speech that transitioned to Spanish. They didn’t speak English until after 2.5. They were “behind” their peers but I wasn’t concerned because they still had expressive language. They are very smart and now 11 years old. My twin girls started “twin language” at about 15 months. They could talk to each other and know exactly what the other one meant or wanted. In preschool the speech therapist became involved because they were still doing it while in school and the teacher couldn’t understand them. They will be 9 in two weeks and we live in Connecticut and they have a very bizarre Boston accent! The speech pathologist said its due to their twin language and they may outgrow it, or they may not. when do twins start talking My boy/girl twins were taking well around 22 months. They were only 3 weeks early so no real delay compared to singletons. My twins (boy/girl) are 19 months and I feel their language is not delayed. They say well over 10 words which is what the pediatrician said they are looking for. He also said that for it to count as word it doesn’t necessarily mean the exact word, but if they call that object the same thing every time it counts. I have my kids watch signing/speech videos 2-3 times a day (usually while they eat) and while they do sign I feel the exposure and repetitiveness of words and seeing words linked to pictures has really helped their vocabulary. My identical boys talked very early and talked A LOT. Their little sister (20 months younger) hardly talked at all for the longest time – she had two brothers doing the talking for her! when do twins start talking My fraternal boys (20 mos.) are on different levels. Twin A has about 15-20 words right now and Twin B has about 40 words. I’ve been keeping track of them in a note on my phone because it’s so hard for me to remember. Their words aren’t always very clear and they usually only pronounce the first syllable at this point (like “dah” for dog). Twin A used to see a speech therapist for swallow issues when he was a baby so I called the therapist and she said that they are very normal for being boys, for being twins, and for being this age. She said to expect each of them to have 30-40 words by age 2 and if not then it would be a good idea to get an evaluation by Early Childhood Intervention. She said that it counts as a “word” if the child uses the same sound every time for the same person or thing. She also suggested holding things up near my face and saying the word so they can see how my lips move to make the sounds. Another suggestion was to make them say the word before you give them the object they want (within reason.) We also took away the pacifiers during the day and only allow them in their cribs at sleep time. That made a HUGE difference. when do twins start talking Worried that your kiddos aren’t meeting their milestones? Check to see what’s typical for the first year here. And always remember to trust your gut. If you feel that your children are a little too delayed, and your pediatrician is on the fence about what to do, get an evaluation! All children are entitled to an early intervention evaluation despite birth weight, gestational age, etc. Ask your pediatrician for a referral. If they don’t have one, call the hospital where your children were born and start the search from there. It could take up to 60 days from your first phone call to your appointment for an evaluation so don’t delay too much. Check out this parent’s story for more details. Related Articles… Continue Reading When Do Twins Start Talking?

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Breaking the Binky Habit: Weaning Twins Off Pacifiers

Twiniversity — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 04:00:06 +0000

Binky, pacifier, soother, Nuk-Nuk, mute button, and my grandma’s choice nickname, pipe. These items were a lifesaver and a nightmare for me. During a routine daily check by our pediatrician we had noticed a bump on my daughters stomach. She was taken to have an ultra sound and came back with a Soothie in her mouth. I was at a loss for words. I was still on the fence with using binkies as I heard nightmare stories of not being able to break the habit. As I quickly learned, binkies were amazing. While I was changing one baby I popped a binky in the other’s mouth and instant silence. Getting my daughters to sleep without a bottle in their mouth; pop a binky in it was my solution. I became addicted to them just as much as my daughters were. As my daughters, Kayden and Kaylee, got older, the questions of when I was going to take them away kept coming up in conversations. I was then hit with the reality that they needed to go and I had no idea how or really when I should forever rid my babies of their binkies. Any parent of multiples that has both babies using binkies knows that you need an overabundance of them. Binkies go to Narnia. Voldemort steals them. They time travel. The crib eats more binkies than the dryer eats socks. It’s a proven science if you ask me. No matter how well you keep track of them, they disappear. We had used one brand and it was the only one that would work. Kayden was obsessed; she needed her binky and we let her have it. Kaylee slowly weaned herself off her binky except at bedtime and I was thrilled; until we were out shopping and had managed to lose both binkies. A quick run into Target and my heart sank, the brand we used was sold out. Out of desperation we grabbed a different brand and gave it to them to finish our day of errands. Kayden HATED that brand, while my semi-weaned Kaylee became addicted. She wouldn’t give it up, hiding it in her shirt and putting it under the blankets in her crib so I wouldn’t take it. I felt like she was going to be harder than Kayden on some days. The First Dilemma: When Do You Stop Using Them? We lived in an apartment and I tried to be the best neighbor as possible and did whatever I could to keep the noise down with two newborns. I knew taking them away before a year was going to lead to disaster so I figured after they were a year old I would look into ways to breaking the habit. Once a year rolled along, I fell to the peer pressure of getting rid of bottles, so in my mind binkies could wait. I felt like such a pushover but I couldn’t do that to them too. I know, I’m weak. Slowly the twins second birthday was creeping up on us and I had to commit. I was going to make sure we had no more binkys before they were two. I declared it. Next Dilemma: How Do You Do It? I LOVE being a parent in this time; the internet became my best friend in this case. I found many different solutions. The last idea I found was telling them the process. I am a very honest parent, minus a few things; I want my kids to tell me the truth so I tell them the truth. I started telling my girls that before they turned two binkies weren’t going to be allowed in the day time unless they were napping. Then I would take them away for naps but night time was the hardest. I couldn’t get my daughters to go to bed without them and I was going insane. I needed a different strategy… I wasn’t going to let twin toddlers out-smart me (this time). Mommy Confession: I Bribe My Kids More Than I Care to Admit I made a chart and told them every nap or bedtime they didn’t have their binkie I would let them put a sticker up and for every 3 stickers they would get a prize (such as more stickers, trip to the library, more crayons). This proved effective but it wasn’t consistent. Kayden had come to me and showed me her binkie was broken, she had bitten the tip off. I explained that we didn’t have any more binkies. I then made sure if she wasn’t using it that I had sanitized it before she got it back. A few days later she came to me and told me how she was a big girl and couldn’t use it. WAIT, WHAT?! She told me she didn’t like her binkie not working so she didn’t need it. I took it away and since then she has been binkie-free. Kaylee still used it for bedtime and we were nearing their second birthday quickly and I was frustrated. Kayden started telling Kaylee that she needed to be a big girl like her but Kaylee would quickly remind us that she was a baby still. I finally caved and snipped the tip off and just like that she tells me that it wasn’t working right. About two days later she had enough of the binkie that didn’t work and she didn’t need it. It was a happy dance day and I’m pretty confident that I even created a “mom brag” on Facebook that we were a binkie-free household. Having our children grow up is amazing and hard at the same time. We want them to be independent but having to “say goodbye” to those baby moments is very sentimental to us all. When should you take the binkie away? When its good for you and your multiples. Set realistic goals for the process and take your time with it so your multiples can adjust to it. Be patient;… Continue Reading Breaking the Binky Habit: Weaning Twins Off Pacifiers

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6 Great Books to Teach Kids About Color

Twiniversity — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 04:00:05 +0000

One of the best things about the toddler and preschool years is seeing your kids have fun learning about and playing with color. From learning the names of colors to mixing primary colors together, there is so much for your kids to experiment with and take in. Books are a great way to introduce an understanding of colors and even jumpstart art projects. Below are six books that do just that, and are well loved in our house. 1. Blue Goose by Nancy Tafuri Tells the story of colorful farm animals who decide to paint their black and white farm with vivid colors while “Farmer Gray” is away. The animals mix primary colors together to make secondary colors and also add white to make lighter colors. Kids will enjoy hearing the sweet story and watching as the pages slowly fill up with color. This is also a great bedtime book as it ends with Blue Goose painting a blue wash over everything as night falls and all the farm animals go to sleep. 2. Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni Is a beautiful story about colors and friendship. This was actually Lionni’s first children’s book. Through very simple and abstract illustrations created with torn paper, we are told the story of Little Blue and his best friend, Little Yellow. They go to school and go on adventures, but one day Little Blue can’t find Little Yellow and goes searching for him. When they find each other they hug and become green, which is a problem because their parents don’t recognize them! They do finally become Little Blue and Little Yellow again, and all the parents and friends hug and the colors blend as they realize what has happened. This book can inspire fun activities like using colored tissue paper or cellophane to overlay different colors and create collages. 3. Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd Is a book about colors and counting. The story follows Dog, who has one black spot, throughout his day as he gets splattered with spots of various colors (such as brown chocolate and yellow pollen). Kids follow along and count the spots, and Dog eventually has 10 spots altogether. Dodd puts wonderful details in her descriptions of Dog’s spots and introduces many new words like “smear,” “smudge,” and “patch.” The book ends with Dog dreaming a colorful dream after a nice bath, so it is perfect for bedtime as well. 4. Mix it Up is a wonderfully interactive book by Hervé Tullet. If you’re familiar with his other book, Press Here, you know how appealing his style is to young children. This book will get your kids excited as they “mix” paints with their fingers on the pages. The book encourages them to guess what will happen when they mix primary colors together, and shows what happens when they add white and black paint to other colors. Since it so closely resembles real paint, it also has kids imagine the paints dripping into each other to mix in different ways as they turn the book or smush two pages together. At the end the book encourages kids to have fun mixing colors for real, so this book is perfect for pairing with an art activity using paint. 5. The Crayons’ Book of Colors is by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers The creators of The Day the Crayons Quit. This book skews a little younger and does not have as much of a story, but it introduces the different colored crayons in a way that is humorous and age appropriate for 2-4 year olds. It’s a perfect book for kids who are just starting to draw with crayons and learn the different colors. What’s great about this book is the emphasis on creativity and using unexpected colors for your drawings. Black Crayon likes to color rainbows, and Pink Crayon can color princesses AND cowboys. The illustrations are meant to look like pictures that children would draw themselves, which is very appealing to kids. 6. Round and Round and Square was written and illustrated by designer Fredun Shapur in 1965. The story follows Circle (blue) and Square (red) on beautiful adventures where they rearrange themselves and combine to form objects and pictures. Even very young children will get a sense of the possibilities you have when creating art with simple colors and shapes. Although the text itself does not mention the names of colors, we see the red and blue shapes mix with each other and with yellow as well, so you can talk to your children about colors as you read. The pictures in the book can be recreated really easily with construction paper cutouts or Colorforms (yes, you can still buy this classic art toy!) Although I picked this selection of books with toddlers and preschoolers in mind, it’s never too early to introduce these books and some of them are sure to remain favorites as your children get older. Colors make storytime come alive, and these books introduce important concepts and can really spark a child’s imagination. My twins have had a blast working on art projects inspired by some of these books, and I’m sure your children will too. Lakshmi Hutchinson lives in Glendale, CA with her husband, fraternal twin girls, and tuxedo cat. In her spare time, she likes to go to concerts and her dream is to have time to read books again. Related Articles

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5 Tips to Develop Speech in Toddlers

Twiniversity — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 04:00:05 +0000

When my babies turned into toddlers, I couldn’t wait for them to start speaking in full-on sentences. Trying to decipher what they were saying was maddening at best. I’m here to assure you that the pterodactyl screams and the constant guessing game of what they want only lasts for a short period of time. But one of our kids screamed a little bit more than the other, and we soon found out that we needed to add speech therapy to her early intervention treatment. It was a huge help and it empowered me to better work with her and ease her frustration. Note, if you have any questions about your child’s development I would highly recommend talking to their pediatrician first. I’m just sharing some techniques that we learned from her speech therapist, but in no way should this be a substitute for a professional medical opinion. 5 Tips to Develop Speech in Toddlers 1. Read, read, read (and ask questions!) When our twins were newborns we began reading to them daily. Whether it was a children’s book, the newspaper, or Little Women, we tried to read as often as possible. But that was easier when they couldn’t move or voice an opinion. Toddlers can’t stand to sit still, much less listen to an entire story. So we found a couple stories they really liked and read them over and over and over again (Pete the Cat, anyone?) The repetition built confidence and awareness for our little ones. We were also able to ask questions and have them identify things in the pictures, ask about colors, and encourage them to “read” the next page. 2. Encourage and praise Our little one in speech therapy would get frustrated…all the time. As a result, any time she attempted to speak she was met with immediate praise — even if we couldn’t fully decipher what she was trying to say. We also said “use your words” more often than not. By encouraging her to speak, she eventually overcame her frustration and slowly started to make a connection between what she wanted and how she communicated that. Eventually, she figured out that by trying to speak, it was easier to get what she wanted. 3. Whistle-blowing Be forewarned, this is not pleasant on the eardrums; however, it is great when helping little ones annunciate and speak more clearly. Our twin’s speech therapist gave both of our children whistles so that they could learn to form their mouths better for consonants that were more difficult to say. As you can imagine, one twin mastered this immediately and the other took longer. So I figured out that by putting my finger toward the end of the whistle, I could better coach her to softly blow into it and produce a sound. Now, we often hear them whistling in their bedroom. Oh, the joy. 4. Slow down and practice in the mirror with them This was a big one for me. As a twin mom, I’m trying to communicate as quickly as possible, but that doesn’t mean my twins understand what I’m trying to say. Through the speech therapist, we learned that by slowing down and carefully pronouncing each syllable, it was easier for the twins to understand what we were saying. Even more fun for them, you can look in a mirror together and slowly pronounce words so that they learn how to form their mouths and pronounce words. If you don’t have a mirror on hand, you can point to your mouth and have them watch you say each word. Make sure to get down to their eye level so they can get an up-close view of your mouth. 5. Repeat the phrase correctly When our girls speak we immediately praise them and then repeat the phrase. For example, if they say, “want red truck!” (but in fact the truck was blue), we say, “Great job! I want the blue truck.” By repeating the phrase correctly, they are being encouraged, but also learning the proper way to say something. From personal experience, I have to say that early intervention and speech therapy works wonders. Our little one had services through early intervention for a year and a half and now she’s completely caught up and won’t stop talking. (As my sister-in-law warned me at the start of this journey, “Careful what you wish for!”) I’m a firm believer that teachers, therapists, and anyone who works with little tots should be paid six-figure salaries because their patience, persistence, and knowledge are incredible. We are eternally grateful for the time our little one’s speech therapist gave us and can only imagine where we would be today if she didn’t walk alongside us on this journey. All content on this Website, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others. Related Articles

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5 Tips to Find Activities for Twin Toddlers

Twiniversity — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 05:00:51 +0000

After a busy summer of welcoming home a new baby to the family and moving to a new apartment, we were more than ready to have fun — especially my 2-year-old twins. With winter approaching and the fact that my husband and I were outnumbered, with 3 under 3, I knew this would be challenging. Here are 5 things I learned about finding activities for twin toddlers: 1. A 1:1 Parent-To-Child Ratio Is Ideal, and Often Required It may seem like a no-brainer, but have a responsible/active adult or older child accompany you. Unfortunately, for my family, it’s just me and my husband. We don’t even have a sitter, which makes things a bit more challenging, but not impossible. This advice may not apply to all activities, like going to the library. But in a place where you’ll find trampolines, slides, bouncy houses, swimming pools, etc., with other kids running around, you need to be more physically involved and need help with your crew. Don’t try to be a superhero! Also don’t expect the staff to help, because not only is this unrealistic but it can be unsafe. Heads up — parent-and-tot swim classes typically require one parent per child. 2. Great Activities for Toddler Twins and Where to Find Them Need suggestions? For Cautious Types, Try: For Active Types, Try: Structured Activities: For the Sports-Oriented: While it doesn’t hurt to try new things (that’s what this is about, right?), you want everyone to have fun. Just some advice, make sure your children enjoy the activity; the last thing you want is to buy a membership and your twins go into full-blown tantrums each time you go. And remember that multiples aren’t carbon copies of each other. They have their own preferences and may even be polar opposites of each other with different energy levels. Some reach milestones at different times too. For example, with my twins, one was climbing and walking before his first birthday, while the other didn’t take his first step until much later. What if your twins are polar opposites? Divide and conquer with your partner so you each take one twin to a separate class. If you’ll be taking them solo, enroll the both of them in two classes where you know one of them will have a blast and the other will enjoy it enough to make it through; that way each child gets their favorite class. Make calls, check policies, and visit places before joining. While I tried to prepare in advance by doing online research, nothing compared to going in person. There were places that we were pleasantly surprised by helpful staff, while others we won’t go to again until our children are older. 3. Be Cautious of Safety Concerns Nothing can ruin your day faster than an injury. I can’t stress enough to bring someone who can keep up if the activity is high-energy, especially with an “open play” concept, or you’re going to get frustrated very quickly. Remember, don’t expect in-house personnel to help. I experienced every parent’s nightmare when one of my twins disappeared during an open house because staff left an exit door open and I found him in a hall. I also witnessed toddlers jumping off of a 5 foot (bouncy) ledge next to a staff member who was texting. Yet, we were pleasantly surprised at another facility that was the total opposite; better organized, with an active and helpful staff. While I know I’m responsible for my own children and don’t expect the staff to babysit, I have a reasonable expectation of safety; I’m sure you do too. With this in mind, always check: Note: report hazardous situations or equipment failure. 4. Always Ask for a Discount Good news! Having fun together doesn’t have to be expensive. Contrary to popular belief, having multiples doesn’t always mean double the price. Many places offer a sibling or twin discount. If they don’t yet, ask if they’d be willing to create a twin discount if you post about it on your local twin mom groups. You never know what a local business may do to get new customers. Try free places: local parks, libraries, or donation-based activities (museums, zoos, etc.) If you’ve been there/done that, check the following: 5. Your Toddlers May Surprise You, in a Good Way I was pleasantly surprised to see my twins tumble, climb bouncy ladders and jump on trampolines. I thought they’d be scared and need lots of coaxing. Instead, they taught my husband and I a thing or two. And, what’s more fun than discovering your children’s hidden talents? For example, at a gym, my twins helped demonstrate somersaults. During a music class, the teacher asked, “What number should we sing about?” and one of my twins ran to the middle of the room, holding a mallet like a microphone, and sang “4” into it, in a way that could put a lead singer of a rock band to shame, while his twin sang backup and little bro played the bongos. Who knew? While our adventure continues, I’ll end by saying no matter what the activity; make sure to have fun together as a family. Do your homework, consider safety, and match the activity to each child. Not only will your children get to socialize, but this experience can bring you all closer, and who knows, you may even feel like a kid again. Related Articles

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