Twins! Taking Them Out Without a Fuss!
Author: Stef Daniel
There are many mothers of twins who feel very anxious or intimidated by the sheer thought of leaving home alone with the kids in tow. While in the very beginning of your babies' lives there are a thousand good reasons to keep them indoors, away from germs and public places, eventually you will feel like a prisoner if you don't take the leap of faith and get out of the house! Once you begin to spread your wings and fly, there will be nothing you can't do and no place you can't go with your children.
Past the 3 to 4 month mark, they will have more clearly defined schedules of sleeping and waking. By the time they are a year old, they will probably have a singular naptime. The first rule of shopping or running errands with twins is to make sure you do it either first thing in the morning, or after they have had their nap. This way they will not be fussy and prone to screaming! The next rule is to make sure you have a double stroller (side-by-side makes the kids happier) so that you won't be forced to stick both of them in an icky and sticky shopping cart. Although you can easily fit two car seats in a shopping cart, it can be difficult to carry two car seats and your personal belongings into the store or bathroom should the need arise.
Another thing to remember is that you have to relax! If you are relaxed and acting as if the excursion is no big deal, your kids will notice your positive energy no matter how young they are. Notice that every time you see a hysterical baby, there is usually a hysterical mother standing beside them. This is no coincidence.
Babies are just like big kids, and they love to get out and see new things. The bright lights and colors of a grocery or department store can keep them stimulated for hours. If they do have a crying spell, pick your action wisely! The older the baby, the less prone you should be to plucking them out of the stroller and carrying them around. Even by 8 or 9 months, they learn how to manipulate mom. Just find an eatery or restroom where you can go and sit down with them for a minute, and give them a snack or something new and curious to hold. If you can ignore the crying, then you can ignore all the people who will have to make 'funny' comments about it. Don't feel embarrassed; it's not like you have taken them to a collegiate library. Babies cry, especially two.
Another way to make outings easier is to bring along plenty of props. Make sure the diaper bag is full of their favorite things, and as you shop, take time to talk to them. Point things out, and let them have an opportunity to look at things that interest them. Even young babies will enjoy their surroundings, and this is a great way to start developing language skills. When all else fails, a favorite snack, pacifier, or bottle that they can hold themselves may change their mood. If this doesn't seem to work, then finding the closest lollipop will keep them busy for hours. You can clean them up later. Also, consider that the more you take them out, the easier it will be as they adjust to the new surroundings and experiences.
The biggest hindrance of taking twins out for grocery shopping or errand running is the plethora of strangers that will feel compelled to touch your babies and talk to you. They will tell you about every person in their life who has twins (as if you care), and they will always say, no matter what "How can you tell them apart?" Even if your twins are absolutely fraternal, strangers will think they are identical. The tips here are few and take a bit of work because they go against the grain of manners. First of all, don't make eye contact with people who are looking at you. You will learn quickly how to tell who will be interested in your twins by listening. If you hear comments like "oh, look" or "double trouble" or "she sure has her hands full," simply keep your head down and forge on! Otherwise, you will never get through your shopping trip. Don't invite unwarranted touching or fiddling by dressing them alike and encouraging a spectacle. You will find that perfect strangers oddly feel perfectly comfortable reaching out and touching your twins. Depending on your baby's personality, this can make the trip more stressful for the children and many twins develop a sense of anxiety from so much attention being placed on them. You can even stand in front of the stroller; but the trick is if you don't want to be bothered or don't have the time, you just have to keep moving.
Early on, taking the twins out all by yourself can feel tedious. However, you must do it for your own sanity and independence. Many mothers of twins don't leave the house and become trapped without salvation until they can find a partner or spouse to go out with. The sooner you test the waters, assert your independence, skill, and expose your babies to the public, the more quickly your life will return to normal. You will find that pushing a stroller in front and pulling a cart behind you is really not as difficult as you once thought. The best part, you will feel like you are free to come and go as you please and that there really are no limits just because you were blessed with two!
