Parenting Multiples (continued)

It's important that you do what you can to keep some couple time. Because it's often hard to leave multiples with one sitter, you might need to get creative. Some parents pack dinner, then strap their babies in their car seats and drive around until they sleep. Then they have a chance to dine al fresco in peace. Other parents go out half as often as they normally would in order to be able to afford two sitters when they do go out. Still others choose to start their evening later, after the babies fall asleep, so that one sitter is able to stay with the sleeping babies. Do whatever you're most comfortable with, but remember that spending time alone together is more a necessity than a luxury.

Special Multiples Behavior

Multiples often develop language more slowly than singletons. This is most often due to their prematurity, and to the fact that twins and multiples spend so much time together and may develop their own special means of communicating. That's why it's important for caretakers to spend time speaking directly to each child, as well as reading and encouraging language.

Social skills can come earlier for multiples, simply because they've always been with siblings, but they may do less well in other groups. Parents may encounter problems separating multiples, so it's a good idea to occasionally separate them even at an early age. Also try to introduce other people into the mix, including other children and adults.

Still, multiples are built-in playmates for one another, and from early on it's apparent that their relationship is a special one.

Parenting multiples has its challenges, but the rewards are twice (or more!) as great.

Updated and reviewed by: Mary Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: July 2005
Reviewed by: Lisa Zaoutis, MD

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

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