More multitasking tools

By now you can probably tell I love helpful tools around the home that can multitask. My kids are getting older now so I am passing along these great placemats, but they are a perfect case-in-point. The trifecta: 1) the clear, easy-to-read labels boost reading skills, 2) the task of setting the table is instantly turned into a fun game by "filling in" each area, encouraging kids to pitch in with family chores with a fair degree of independence, and 3) basic table manners are reinforced by illustrating that there is place for everything. The idea of etiquette and decorum at the dinner table is heavily modified when your kids are little, but this is a fun way to introduce the concept to toddlers and preschoolers.

I found these online, however it'd be an easy project to make homemade versions (you could even add each family member's name) and ask a teacher friend to laminate them for you.

New Year, New Adventures

Happy New Year everyone- a happy and healthy 2012 for all!

New Year's Day is a good time to reflect on the passage of time, and plan for the future. As you well know, life with twins or triplets moves very quickly. I have now been a parent of twins for over 8 years (and a mom to four for almost 6 years), and have spent the past several New Year's marveling at how rapidly the calendar pages turn when you are busy raising a crew of small children. (For some ideas to share the concept of New Year's resolutions with your kids, click here.)

Our family spent the early evening of New Year's Eve last night watching old family home videos- including that of our fourth's 1st birthday. Our then 3 year-old twins and almost 5 year-old helped her understand the concept of opening wrapped presents, and all four squealed with excitement when a Fisher Price farm was revealed. We've come so far since those days, and in two minutes they'll be graduating from high school. As your family can relate, the days and weeks can be a hectic blur of activity. One of my yearly resolutions is to make an effort to pause and enjoy the present moment for what it is. The only consistency in life is change, and before you know it your family will have evolved once again.

At the start of the new year, I'd also like to take a moment to thank both the multiples and medical communities for embracing and spreading the word about my book, Raising Twins. New parents of twins and triplets need all the support, tips, and encouragement possible, and while no single book is "one size fits all," the goal has always been to provide food for thought to handle the myriad issues involved with raising multiples. Just as every child is unique, and what works for one kid may not work for another, all families are distinct. Each family will create their own rulebook, and no two will look the same. My goal throughout this project and blog has been to empower parents of multiples to gather information and advice, use common sense, speak with your pediatrician, and see what works best for your family. Thank you and have a great year!

**The photo above is of my kindergartener's 2012 Snoopy calendar's January page. Somehow the image of Snoopy helping Woodstock and friends up a mountain seemed appropriate.

More Multitasking for Multiples

If your home is anything like ours, you have a lot of little people eating a lot of food, and a lot of little people who, over time, are fine-tuning their reading and writing skills. Today's post is a simple tip to boost literacy and at the same time make sure your fridge and pantry stay well-stocked.

Keep pads of paper and pencils/washable crayons in a central location of your home. Whenever any member of the family (grownup OR child) notices that you're running out of milk, bread, or even toilet paper, encourage them to go ahead and put it on the shopping list. Younger kids can even draw a picture of the item, or get spelling help from a grownup or older sibling. Pictured above is my 5 year-old who uses the spelling of the almost-empty bag to add dried cranberries to the list. Practicing the Real World skill of writing items on a shopping list is just plain fun for a preschooler, and they don't realize they're gaining valuable literacy practice at the same time.

If kids are encouraged to add to the shopping list on a regular basis, it will become a habit– you'll be instilling good responsibility, teaching each child to contribute to the household. Just don't be surprised if you walk by the list one day and see a child's scrawled "chocolate" or other such kid-endorsed "necessity" appear on your shopping list.

A Benefit to Parenting Twins––Teamwork

When you have two newborns to care for, both parents need to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Some fathers may not have planned on being a 'hands-on' type of dad––yet when twins are born, more manpower is needed!  By necessity, fathers become proficient in feeding, burping, and changing diapers for their babies. Such tasks are not mundane; feeding and diaper changes are ideal times for parent-child communication and bonding!

Hands-on fathers not only have more fun, but provide a boost to their children's development by providing a different kind of interaction from that experienced with Mom. As an example, Mom may be gentle and nurturing, while Dad is goofy and blows more 'zerberts' on the babies' bellies! The combination of two different styles leads to a more well-rounded experience for your children.

To use a basketball analogy, parents of singleton babies play 2-on-1 defense. Parents of twins play man-to-man defense. Parents of twins and more play zone defense, my personal favorite.  The teamwork of parenting twins benefits both the kids and the partnership.