How to Deal With Twin 3 Year Olds

Avoid dressing the twins alike to allow them to find their own identities.

Approximately 138,660 sets of twins were born in the United States during 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These twins meant double the bottles, double the diapers and double the trouble for parents once they reached the age of three. Caring for a set of three-year-old twins is not much different than caring for one. It just takes strategy, discipline and a double set of time-out chairs.

Things You'll Need

• Child-proofing supplies

Instructions

1. Child-proof the home. Cover outlets with plastic safety coverings, install safety gates on stairs and install safety latches on cabinets and drawers. This will protect both little ones from household dangers.

2. Separate the 3-year-olds immediately once a fight break outs. Take them into separate rooms or different areas of the family room and explain why their behavior was unacceptable. Allow them to cool down before letting them play again.

3. Avoid developing different sets of rules for each child. The punishments, mealtimes, bedtimes and any other activities must be exactly the same for both children. This will ensure that the children do not feel resentment toward you, or the other twin.

4. Allow the toddlers to develop their own tastes and interests. Let the children explore separate types of toys, hobbies and interests. Do not push the children to both be into the same thing. For instance, one twin may like cowboys while the other is into ballet. Let the kids find their own identities, likes and dislikes.

5. Hire help when you begin to feel overwhelmed. This will come in the form of a full-time nanny, a grandmother that comes over to help or a babysitter two to three nights a week. Seek help before you become too overwhelmed with the challenges of two toddlers.

6. Find hobbies that both the twins will enjoy doing together. This will save you both time and money when it comes to entertaining them both. While performing these hobbies, allow each twin to find his own way to enjoy the activity.

7. Potty train the 3-year-olds at their own individual pace. One child will catch on quicker than the other. Instead of allowing the set back to discourage one of the twins, use the other that is more advanced as an inspiration and point of reference to spur the other on toward a diaper-free life.

References

• Twins Online: Toddler Twins
• Keep Kids Healthy: Taming Toddler Twins
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Multiple Births