The pediatrician claims that the “terrible twos” are not as terrible for twins, intimating that something about the way they are used to having to share makes this developmental stage easier.
I knew something had to be easier…
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October 12th, 2007 15:54
Maybe, but I think mine are already starting that nonsense at 14 months. Maybe by the time 2 comes around, they’ll have figured it out.
October 12th, 2007 16:21
Well, hallelujah. Or something. Maybe they just spread out that angst - mine are definitely working on (read, melting down over) sharing and taking turns. And without any language - not even “no” or “mine.” But maybe by the time we get to 2 it’ll all be out of the way?
October 12th, 2007 17:05
I’ve been finding it a little easier because they entertain each other…sort of. By fighting.
October 12th, 2007 17:19
That is what I call GOOD NEWS! Hallelujah! We are already taking toys from one another at 8 1/2 months — seriously — I thought it would take a lot longer before stealing came into play.
October 12th, 2007 17:30
Given that I have a 2 year old singleton, and I was not looking forward to two more of him at this stage, that IS good news.
October 12th, 2007 18:05
Yay!!!
October 12th, 2007 22:05
I’m beginning to see that with my boys - they are much more easygoing (or less whiney, I should say) about having to share and take turns then other kids. Other mothers’ jaws drop in amazement sometimes!
October 12th, 2007 22:05
Aw you poor thing. You need some uninterrupted sleep. I wish I could help you there. I wish I was closer because your children look like a bundle of fun to me. I haven’t had a toddler in a long, long time. While they are frustrating, it is an incredible time to watch them learn something new every day.
Whereas my teenage boys…somehow don’t evoke the wonder in me that they did in early toddler hood. My boys did climb up and over anything in their way so I know you must never sit down for long because you have to save one of them from exploring falling and pain.
I wish I relatively calm weekend!!!!
October 13th, 2007 19:56
I think that’s a load of bull. Now they just have a constant companion to shove around. My daughter HATES sharing me with her brother. Period. And now that she’s figured out how to push him, she’s very clear about it.
But she’s also great about sharing things - sippy cups, toys, etc… I think they are used to sharing, but sometimes it means that those struggles a singleton has only when they are at daycare or playgroup twins have all the time.
October 13th, 2007 21:51
No! Kim! You are shattering my illusions. Ouch!
October 14th, 2007 21:51
Actually, I found the two’s to be terrific. It’s the three’s that were terrible. Both kids. Really. I’m not liking Four that much either, this time around.
And my kids are really good at sharing and playing together. It’s just the meltdowns… at age 3 and 4 were, well, shocking.
Meltdowns at age 7 are really hard to bear, and happen sometimes too. It’s really hard to wrangle a 50 pound kid who’s flailing, screaming and kicking. Rare, but potent, those meltdowns.
October 14th, 2007 23:06
I actually think that’s true, and I’m right smack in the middle of the 2-year-old “disequilibrium”. 2 is complicated -much there’s more to think about in terms of how they’re doing emotionally, and keeping them safe is still very much an issue. There are sleep transitions that are especially hard with twins (we finally separated ours, something we NEVER thought we’d do and are so glad we did). Sometime the amount that they “feed off of each other” is overwhelming. Age 1 was tougher for me, though - months 14-20 especially. At age 1 you still need the stroller for everything, they don’t entertain each other nearly as much as when they’re older, they barely listen if at all, and they have not a lick of sense. Now, my boys fight regularly, but they do seem to have an easier time sharing than their peers. Quite a bit easier. They have tantrums, but they’re short - my boys seem to get that if they throw a fit in public we go home because I’ve never been able to stick around with 2 screaming kids. They sit still much better for stories, and lean on each other in new situations. Plus - their conversations and the sweet things they sometimes say to each other are really wonderful - this is the first time I’ve felt like they’re rather lucky to be twins in some ways. 2 is hard, but give me twin 2 1/2 year olds over twin 18 month olds any day. Also - playdates with kids that just a bit older are really fun now, and I think we’re just on the verge of the same with their peers. We had a bunch of kids and parents from our church over to our backyard for some chicken visiting and marshmallow roasting the other day, the bunch of them just ran around in a bit mob making each other crack up. Lets hope some of this applies to the threes!