There’s no question about it—caring for twins is hard work. In addition to the physical demands, there are unique challenges that you simply don’t encounter with singletons, like how to identify similar-looking twins, how to feed two hungry babies at the same time, and how to calm two crying babies at once.
That being said, there are many ways to make parenting tasks easier and fun to do. In Twins 101, I provide parents with advice on how to make the daily duties of caring for twins highly enjoyable and less challenging. People often ask me which of the fifty tips in Twins 101 is the most important one for new parents of multiples. Without hesitation, I would say Tip #43, which encourages new mothers of multiples to accept all the help they can get.
Caring for twin babies is an incredibly joyous and rewarding experience, but it can also be physically demanding. I encourage mothers of multiples to accept all offers of help from people they trust. Even a short break to take a nap can have profound, positive effects on a parent’s physical and emotional sense of well-being. If parents don’t want others to directly care for their babies, they can still ask willing volunteers for assistance with preparing meals or completing household chores.
One the best things about asking for help is the lifelong affection and bond that develops between you, your babies, and others as a result. As a mother of twins, I am extremely grateful for all the friends and family that have played such a major role in our lives.
