A Few Things I Have To Say About The Article ’8 Reasons Why Raising Twins Is Easier Than Raising Two Kids Of Different Ages.’

 

A Few Things I Have To Say About The Article ’8 Reasons Why Raising Twins Is Easier Than Raising Two Kids Of Different Ages.’ 

 5-22-2012

My twinkies are 26 months, 2 weeks, and 6 days old

 

 (Written two days ago but never published. Nothing fresh today, but please throw some prayers my daughter’s way. It’s urgent!)

 

 

I had a good laugh this morning when I came across an article written by Be A Good Dad. Read it here first. Then continue down and read my own words towards the short article which I completely disagree with in most parts.

 

 

1) They share food?

Certainly not at all in the early days.

Yeah, they may be able to eat out of the same jar of food but you still need to open twice as many at twice the cost anyway. If one doesn’t like something (it happens)..you need to open something else. Trust me, this is not a good example of ‘easier’ since a jar and 1/2 isn’t the norm. And when you forget how old that left-over jar is, it gets trashed regardless. They may, however, WEAR the same food once the food fights begin though  .

 

 

2) 1 bath/ bedtime?

Maybe for mom, but at least for a very long while, and I’ll let you know when we get there for keeps, the twins don’t automatically go to sleep at the same time. One doesn’t go to bed at 7 and one at 8? You are right there, it’s much less predictable than that. At least at 2. Mine don’t even sleep in the same room. Sounds like you got a good thing going on over there, but it isn’t a given. That is for sure.

 

 Also, I don’t know about other twin moms, but I have always bathed my twins apart. My fantasy of bathing two at a time never did happen yet. It’s still too scary to me. It’s more like one right after the other since they aren’t very fond of them, nor still in the tub. Still two times the work from where I stand.

 

 

3) Sharing toys?

I have bought two of many things, and sometimes they will still fight over the toy we have two of. Sounds like you are living in twin heaven. I with I could join you there. Occasionally, they’ll share the same toys, but then again, they’ll push, scratch, hit, and run away with what the other one wants.

 

Sharing toys is more like stealing toys and that becomes a game with mom as the ref. in the middle. It doesn’t make anything easier at all. If you have bigger kids that whole ‘choking hazard benefit’ you mentioned, goes out the window to. Lucky me.

 

 

4) Same childproofing.

Ok, that is true, unless you have close in age siblings that need childproofing still. This doesn’t just apply to twins. Also, if you have older kids you have the annoyance of unlocking then re-locking things so they can get through the maze of making a sandwich, between fridge, drawer locks, and gates. No big plus over here with that either. Kind of cuts out the benefits.

 

 

5) Same videos or movies?

Ever hear of different tastes? At only two I see that already in TV shows. We haven’t sat through a whole movie yet. Not even close! They DO prefer different programming. At times they grab the remote like they know how to change the channels properly at 26 months. As they age I can only see their tastes in television shows and movies getting more and more different. We’ll need more TV sets at twice the cost. Again, no plus.

 

 

6) Twin discounts?

There aren’t many of those anymore since becoming a parent of multiples has seemingly become so popular, almost trendy. That small discount doesn’t compare to the cost of needing to buy two cribs, car seats, etc. when you can even find them. They aren’t as generous in the year of 2012. Guess you have to have triplets ++.

 

 

7) Same phases?

 You got me there in some respects. However, they can and will likely still walk at different ages, be socially and intellectually very different at the same ages. Besides the store example. It depends how the child is raised. My 6 yo was spoiled and still whines about getting something at the store every time..I mean 100x’s worse than my others.

 

I had two close in age who were by far less whiny and less spoiled because I just didn’t have it back then. I helped create my whiner. If you just say no on a regular basis (hard for me), this really isn’t a big issue having two instead of one. BTW- Sometimes it’s good not having two phases at one time. Example: Potty training. Need I say more?

 

 

8 ) Same play dates?

Providing they go through life making the exact same friends, enjoying the same exact activities. If so, that would be a nice perk but I don’t see it coming. They’ll be in different classes at school, conversing with different people every day, and that means making different friends if you ask me. Maybe not completely, but at least a large portion of the time just like any other two siblings.

 

You will get away with the same playdates when they are babies & toddlers as they have absolutely zero choice in the matter. All I see is double the bill for birthday parties including two classes of children since I didn’t plan my twins to be born during the Summer time. (Darn it.)

 

That’s my 2 cents on the article in question. I’m not going to say which is harder being that I have been to both places. This person was not at the time of writing this article, a parent of two close in age, just twins. At my age right now.. twins seem harder but then again I say ‘at my age now.’ The twins just are tougher children (personality wise) than my first two at 14 and 1/2 months apart. This makes the majority of the difference if you ask me…the children themselves!

 

Personally, I think a twin mom (unless a stay at home father) is better equipped to make these comparisons and write an article like this. I mean my husband works nights and is home during the whole day but not out and about every day like I am with the twins. He’s home with us a lot more than the average day-working dad and even he isn’t equipped to write this. Just my thoughts.

 

HOWEVER, in closing, I highly admire a dad who adores his children enough to blog about raising them, and enjoying their lives! THAT is most commendable Be a Good Dad. For that, I think you are a wonderful father, who desperately loves his children!

 

I guess in life we all have the right to agree to disagree .

 

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”Most people who have twins did not plan on having twins. More people who have two children at different times, planned to have two of different ages at different times. Just a fact, though I wouldn’t change my life for anything, except having had the twins younger lol.” – Mama P.

 

 ”Money wise…dare we remember you only get one paycheck every 1-2 weeks. That is one down side to twins that can not be denied. Money flies out the window faster than the average father of twins does at the sight of those necessary, super-stinky diaper changes.” – Mama P.

 

(Actually, I can’t complain much there. The second part of that last one, that is. My guy is pretty darn helpful.)

 

 

Have a great week folks!

 

PS- PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY FOR US!

 HARD!!!!