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You're Expecting Twins -- Survival Advice From a Veteran Mom
by Shari Schmidt
Submitted: Wednesday, September 05, 2007
When the ultrasound machine reveals two sacs, you’re filled with joy. Twins! It’s not until the initial excitement subsides that the panic sets in. Suddenly, you realize you are bringing home two little bundles of joy. Twins are wonderful, amazing, and overwhelming. Parenting twins is unlike anything you can imagine until you experience it.
When we found out we were having twins, we devoured all books and magazines we could find about twins. Yet, we were woefully unprepared for the reality. You can benefit from what we learned by taking three simple steps:
1. Make room for babies. This has a special meaning for soon-to-be parents. You start by cleaning out the nursery and putting in cribs. You move on to the kitchen so you have plenty of room for the bottles. Still, you are not as organized as you think. What you might not realize is how much stuff you have to store until the babies are ready. The exersaucer that will save your sanity at some day needs to go somewhere between the baby shower and when your baby is ready to use it. You’ll find that the smallest items come in the largest boxes. And, don’t forget you are getting two of many, many items.
2. Simplify your world. You just won’t have time to sit on every committee, read every magazine, check email daily, etc. Before the babies arrive, be sure to let subscriptions expire, unsubscribe from e-newsletters, let chat room friends know you’ll be missing for a while, and resign from committees. Don’t forget to clean out closets and storage spaces to remove items you no longer use. It will help you simplify your world, and create extra space.
3. Start stocking up. If you like a specific deodorant or moisturizer, buy two the next time you go to the store. Next time you head to the local warehouse club, buy two huge containers of laundry detergent or toilet paper. You’ll be in the store a lot buying baby diapers and other items, but you’ll be so focused on the babies that personal items are often forgotten. Also, your ability to run to the store to pick-up what you need will be limited. By stocking up on necessary items, you eliminate one more worry. Take it from someone who has been there. There is nothing worse than realizing you’re out of toilet paper at 3:30 a.m.
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