The boys are now three and a half years old. I haven’t done a post about twins for a while, so I thought it was about time I told you about why life has got infinitely easier as they’ve got older. Here are the things I’m loving about them at the moment…
They still sleep together
When they first went into beds they often slept together, but after a few months they got used to having their own beds and it stopped. Lately they’ve been snuggling up with books after their bedtime story, and they drop off while ‘reading’ to each other!
Getting themselves dressed
T1 always wakes early and jumps on his brother. They then shout and run around their room being as noisy as possible until I finally drag myself out of bed. When I go into their room, I find they’ve opened their drawers and got their clothes out. It’s not just a matter of putting on the first things they can find; it’s much more thoughtful than that. They rifle through their drawers and somehow manage to put together the oddest combination of outfits ever. T1 usually ends up with a pair of swimming trunks on instead of pants (or sometimes they end up on his head like a hat) and at least one of them will put on two identical tops (being twins we get bought lots of pairs of the same item). At least one pair of trousers will be on backwards (often both), and they will put their worn pairs of pants and socks back into the drawer to hide in among their clean underwear. But it is still an amazing milestone. It’s one job less for me to do (although the tidying, redressing and drawer sorting creates a whole new job!) And to see the looks on their faces as they tell me they’ve got themselves dressed each day is proper cute.
Bribery works
Yes, bribes might not be the most advanced form of parenting, but I often find it an essential way to get them to do what I want. No pudding if you don’t eat xx mouthfuls of your vegetables, bed without a story if you won’t put your pyjamas on, no sweets if you try to run off in the car park etc. They finally understand a good bribe and using a carrot on the end of a stick is always a great way to get important things done (remember my use of Paulson’s Park as a reward for potty training?!)
They hold hands
Although I still use my Boomereins when I’m taking them out while pushing the buggy, if I’m going out with just the two of them they will now hold my hands for an entire trip out to the local shop and back again. I never thought I would ever see that day, but it has arrived! And even better, if I ask them to walk along side me without holding hands, they actually do and don’t try to run off in different directions. Mostly. OK, occasionally.
They play together
Yes, they do argue a lot too, but they will talk and play together for hours on end. I can make a cup of coffee and sit back to watch them make up games, or do role play with me (a big favourite is shopping games where I give them lists of things to go and buy from the shops, and they pretend to catch the bus to town by sitting on the stairs). I’m sure if I just had one toddler they’d be bored. In fact, I can see a huge difference with how E is developing; she expects to be held much more and hates being left to kick on the floor or sit in her highchair, whereas the boys were happy with it as they had each other for company. Having two together has advantages.
We don’t need a double buggy
I sold it a few months ago, which was a bit sad as it was the end of an era. With my single buggy, E and I can whizz around any shops we like and even catch the bus if we want to.
They aren’t growing as fast anymore
Clothes are mostly worn until they wear out now rather than growth spurts, unlike the early days when I felt like we were constantly buying new sets of clothes and spending a fortune.
They love singing nursery rhymes with me
I love singing nursery rhymes and doing the actions. I used to take them to the library rhyme time until they started toddling and it became too difficult. E and I still go every week, so it’s nice that at home we can share the experience by singing together and getting the boys to sing to their little sister.
They can do more things
Craft, painting and baking were all incredibly difficult with two young toddlers, but they are finally getting to an age when it is getting that little bit easier. OK, it’s not easy, but it is more doable.
They sleep better
Now they don’t have a daytime nap they go to bed really easily at night. Although I miss nap times, it’s nice knowing that by a few minutes past seven they’ve usually dozed off.
They tell me that they love me, unprompted
It’s so cute. Apparently when they spent a couple of days at my in laws over Easter, they were overheard arguing about who loved their mummy and daddy more than the other. One was saying “I love my mummy and daddy”, and the other was saying “no, I love MY mummy and daddy” as though it was a competition. And when I collect them from preschool they run at me, throw their arms around me and declare how much they love me and have missed me.
They come out with the best one liners
I love how when they’ve spent some time with someone else (like nanna or granddad) they come out with grown up lines like “I’m not impressed” or “Phew, that was just in time” or my current favourite, “thank you for dinner mummy, that was very nice, thank you”. And I love grown up they sound sometimes; the other day we were talking about snails and I told them Daddy had eaten them before in a French restaurant. T1 got angry and shouted “Daddy, you do NOT eat snails, they live in the ground and are NOT for eating.”
I could go on and on. Yes, having twins is tough but it is also fantastic and I’ve loved every minute of it. Even the minutes that seemed to drag on as they were both lying on the pavement having a screaming tantrum at the side of the street. Unfortunately there have been quite a few of those 😉
If you’ve made it all the way to the end of this long list, please share your favourite things about your twins in the comments section!
Dawn Frazier says
My twins (identical girls aged 5) asked me yesterday if they could have a double bed instead of bunk beds! So I think they’d prefer to sleep together.
I definitely find them a lot easier now they can get dressed on their own, and fold their own clothes (well they try!).
I totally agree with the bribery thing. I am constantly trying to stay one step ahead with the bribes, so I am ready when I need to use one!
They are so funny now and when they want something they never say “I want …” it’s always “we want…”, so I am always up against two.
TalesofaTwinMum says
Thanks for your comment. I love that – we want! So cute. Lovely to see that this sort of cuteness will carry on for us for at least a bit longer before they probably grow up and want to fight all the time. x
Mrs. Picket says
My boys are only 8 months old, but they “talk” to each other through the crib slats. It’s already so much easier than it was 6 months ago. I’m looking forward to the toddler years, but trying not to rush it.
TalesofaTwinMum says
It goes in waves I find. Enjoy the good bits before any more harder bits come your way! But at least when a tough phase is happening you know it’s not forever and it will get easier. Thanks for your comment and thanks for reading. x
Louise says
I love this it gives me hope!!!! My boys turn 3 in July . I’ve mastered the big boy beds (surprised I’m still here lol) now onto potty training!! I would love some tips , because basically I’m very very scared with this?!!! Great read and I’m pleased to see it gets slightly easier
Dawn Frazier says
The best advice I can give about potty training is don’t rush things. Keep calm and don’t be blinded by too many different opinions on how is the best way. Try not to compare to other children, be prepared for accidents and remember each child is an individual – even twins. Good luck 🙂 x
JallieDaddy says
Ours were about that age when we potty trained thme & it was surprisingly easy, I think because we’d left it late & they were that much more mature. I posted about it if you’re interested (hope you don;t mind, Twin Mum 🙂 ) http://whiskeyforaftershave.com/2013/02/14/mama-weer-all-potty-now/
JallieDaddy says
Really good post! I wish I’d seen more of your blog now as our twins are just 4 months younger than yours. I’ll try to comment more when I have more time 🙂
TalesofaTwinMum says
Time is definitely something I could do with more of! I need to try to make more time for blog commenting too – there are just never enough hours in the day for kids + work + blogging as it is! Thanks for reading. xx
busymomoftwins says
My twin boys are almost 3 1/2 too (in June) I love the one liners. It’s so funny hearing some of the things they say or pick up from others! And with 2 of them, I’m usually lucky enough to get a couple good phrases a day!
I’m just waiting for the day when they start listening a little better, that’ll be nice!!
We use Bribery all the time too- hey, whatever works!
chicachicababies says
Yes! FINALLY someone saying that it gets easier! I can’t tell you how many people have been saying that age 3 is worse than where my twins are now (18 months). I need it to be better. We really can’t go down from here.
TalesofaTwinMum says
It does get easier in lots of ways. I won’t promise it’s easy, because it’s still a challenge but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! I found 15 months – 20 months the most difficult time of my entire life so you’re over half way through!! Good luck! xx