Activities W/twins

Justine,

Where do you live? I have 14 m/o b/g twins and would love to connect with you- i have 5 kids and take them everywhere with me- w/o backup for the most part. nice to meet you. M..

Dear Mom Justine:

Hello- my little sister has 6 boys..the last two are twins. She is superMom and her name is Melisa. Tell her I told you to write. Her email is:
____@____.com

She can probably give you some great advice regarding your request.

E. L.

Hi justine,
I don't have twins, however I do have a 3yr old a 22month old and a 7month old so I feel like i have triplets. I do venture out all the time to parks, music class etc by my self. What i found works well at parks if I filled a plastic storage tub with sand toys, baby dolls, trucks, bubbles adn whatever they are into. I bring that with me and they all tend to want to play together that way. Once you try it by yurself you will see its not that big of a deal. But i do understand because it scary. GOOD LUCK J.

Check out this Twins club for the conejo valley.
http://www.icfs.org/bluebook/bb000117.htm
There are some small parks that you could take the kids to, Borchard park, Cypress park or even the T.O. library where you can keep an eye on them easily.

You just do it! I have 3 year old boy twins and a 5 year old daughter. For me it is just sanity to get out. I did not have help after six months so I just learned to get out and go with the flow. You will find once other moms realize there are two with you they will usually jump in to help.

OH How I know what you are going through. My twins are 28 months AND I have a 7 month old. I just started to go out with the twins before I had the new baby, and now I have left the house twice by myself with all 3 kids in tow. Its hard and be grateful for all your help (I would go nuts without help) The park is my easiest feat, just drink youe coffee and be ready to run in two dif. directions at once, go to parks that are gated or where they cant get out of sight. Shopping is hard, I go to Costco where I can buckle both kids in the front, or if they both sit in the basket I just cant get too much. Its hard but the more you do it, the more you will figure out how many errands you can run. I keep telling myself that soon enough they will be old enough to hold on to the cart and walk. I also bring treats... if I know a store will take a while I bring cookies and it keeps them happy and I get my shopping done. Be ready too if you ever thought the twin comments were overwhelming, when you have no one in tow... people will comment on why you are alone, dont you have anyone to help? Good luck it does get easier.

I didn't have twins, but I had 2 kids 22 months apart. When I took them to a play place like McDonalds, I would have them sit down and eat before they even went in the play area. I would then let them play for awhile, kids never want to stop playing and I couldn't crawl up after them, so when I was ready to leave I would tell them it's time for ice cream. I take them back in for the free little cones and then we leave while they are eating their cones. It saved a lot of frustration. Also, if you are going to eat someplace, say the mall, take the kids to the bathroom before you sit down to eat because sure enough one will have to go in the middle of eating.

Hi Justine,
Yes, it is possible to take them anywhere you may possibly want to go. I have been taking my twins out since I could walk again after the c-section. They are 21/2 now. Of course, I also had no help to begin with. My family is all in Chicago. There is no time like the present to teach them to stay with you. My best advise it to have a good stroller to get them to and fro. Also, if you're worried about them staying with you....get the kid leashes. There are all kinds of things to do...parks, mall(where every now and then...they have kid activities), restaurants...etc. You CAN do it! Don't sike yourself out! I don't know if you're involved in the twins group...but if you live in or around the Conejo Valley...check out our website www.cvmom.org . You can get to know other Mom's with twins and trips and perhaps go to playdates with us and see, first hand, how we do it. Just a suggestion!
M.

Hi!
I can't wait to read the responses.I also have twin girls 17 months. I do have a small park that we go to all the time (because of my other 3 girls) but I feel like I 'm always running in circles. I sometimes put one in the swing and let the other explore a little bit on her own and them switch them, but that is if the park isn't busy. I do take them everwhere with me, I take lots of snacks and they are good to go.

HI there - I have 2 1/2 year old twins and a 7 month old. I take them all out all the time. I have my twins trained to hold hands or hold the stroller. The park is easy it's the mall that can be challenging. I also take my twins to a music toddler class every Monday and have since they were 17 months -it was a great starting place to get them out with me alone. And like the others have said leashes are great!

Hello, I am new to mamasource and I have a 16 month old girl. We are involved in momsclub of south corona, they offer activities, playdates, etc all the time, you pick and choose what you would like to participate in. Go to momsclub.com to find a local club near you and start getting imvolved. Hope it helps....J.

Hi J. - Have you looked into the Stroller Strides classes here in the Temecula Valley? I have belonged to the group for over 3 years now, ( I have 2 boys) and we have had a lot of moms with multiples come to the classes - even a few with triplets! It's agreat combo because it's time for you (the workout part), the kids get to be outside and play at the park after class, they have a weekly playgroup planned each week after class one day there at the park, you get to meet lots of other moms that help and support you, other kids so your twins would make some friends, and they plan a monthly mom's night out for all of us to get away and have fun at. It's really, really great! You should check it out, being a busy mom with twins this could be your 'one stop shopping' answer, get out of the house - time for you - bonding time with your kids - fun healthy enviornment. Their website is just www.strollerstrides.com and then you look for a location near you. Good luck - M.

Hi, I also have twins, 27 months. It's doable and can be fun. Either go somewhere where there are no time restraints or give yourself plenty of packing, preparing time so you're not running late, or forget it.

A stroller, snacks, small toys, leashes, start now so that they learn young to listen in public and stay with you. Some parks have gated areas for small children, this is great, they can't get away. Malls are also good, go for lunch and then a train ride (some have) and a walk around.

At 18 months I was still doing target, etc with them. That will soon become too difficult, but do it while you can. With small toys and snacks you can actually get some shopping done.

Playdates are the best and no matter where you live, there is a local multiples club that you can get fantastic support from. Look it up on the national site, www.nomotc.org. I have had some great support and fun and made some good friends.

Good luck!

L.

Yes, not only is it possible but enjoyable too! I have two-year-old twin girls and we are a happy trio going out. The secret is timing--before or after naps--lots of snacks and taking advantage of the help, like at the YMCA if you're putting them in a sports program.
You can do...and may find you like the freedom of being "nanny-free"!

Hi Justine,
I can relate....get them in the stroller and go to stroller strides. It is an exercise class for mommy's with park play and planned play after mommy works out. A good stroller is reccomended. It has been great for my family. I am a mother of 4 (6 year old and 4 year old triplets). We started when they were 18 months old. It is something you can do by yourself and everyone will enjoy. Anything that is held inside during this time of year is going to get your children sick and if you do not know already if one gets sick the other one gets sick.
They love to explore at this age so expose them to as much as you can while they are young. You can do it alone it just requires some planning. Legoland is a great place for them right now too. There is a model moms club you could join on Thursdays too. All of us loved doing that.

Good luck,
K.