Things I've Learned

Things I’ve Learned from Parenting Twins
A Reflection of the Past Six Months

1. Do not challenge a baby to a staring contest. You will lose.

2. Learn to think positive. Rather than being frustrated about the incessant crying, think about being empathetic. Perhaps your baby has gas. Perhaps they’re uncomfortable. This perspective changes the way you react in stressful moments. Believe it or not, your baby’s purpose is not to make your life miserable.

3. Do what you can to clean your house only when your babies are awake. Naptime is your time – do what relaxes you!

4. When people say, “Oh, he looks just like your husband,” and then someone else not two seconds later says, “Oh, he looks just like YOU!” just smile and nod. Either way, they’re giving you a compliment.

5. If you have twins out in public and people ask if they’re identical, say yes, even if they aren’t. This will save you much precious time in explaining.

6. When grocery shopping, see if you can get someone else to walk your twins around in the stroller so you can do your shopping. Otherwise, your 20-minute trip will easily become 2 hours.

7. Take your shower at night, after the kids have gone to bed. It’ll be the most relaxing ten minutes of your day (plus, then, you’re guaranteed to get a shower!)

8. Pack your diaper bag the night before. That will give you time to think about anything else you might have forgotten. Keep an extra stock of diapers, wipes and onesies in the car for emergencies.

9. Take pictures, even more than you think is normal. Keep a digital camera in your diaper bag so you always have it on hand - you can’t get those moments back!

10. When you’re pregnant (and still mobile) try buying as many birthday presents for specific people who’ll have a birthday during the first 3-4 months of your babies being born. You’ll be glad you did.

11. Things I couldn’t have lived without: our double jogging stroller, two Fisher-Price Papasan swings, my digital cameras, our minivan, the Medela Pump in Style Advanced double electric pump, humidifier, two Boppys, two Bumbo seats, my husband and my mom. The last two you can’t buy in stores.

12. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re not perfect and neither is your husband. Cut yourselves some slack and enjoy the learning curve! Your babies don’t know any different!