Best piece of advice...

[Phoenixmoon80]

I thought we could all share one piece of advice (or more if you got it) that is essential to raising kids so close in age.  Something that helps you get through each day a little easier, and helps you sleep a little better at night...I know i could always use some good pointers.  ; )

 

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[Phoenixmoon80]

1.) SLEEP!!  lol..as much as possible, any chance to catch a quick nap....take it.  The dishes, laundry, cleaning, etc............. can wait until after the next feeding...lol.  I know this is one I try to take advantage of whenever I can(as of recently I've been nesting and organizing too much to rest, but soon enough my butt is gonna be back up on that bed snoozing. : )

 

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[qvmmommy]

Let the older one help.  My daughter is has been trying to help with her brother since he was in the hospital.  I let her get me diapers, take the diapers to the trash (or attempt to in the kitchen garbage), get the pacifier.  They are very close already in their play and she helps to keep him entertained so that I can do the dishes/laundry/whatever for a little while when their big brother is at school and daddy is at work.
Also, ASK FOR HELP from your friends and family!! 

[knoxmomof2]

Don't let this happen again!!! lol... just kidding... um, just try to worry less about what other people think of you while you're out in public fighting with the dual stroller, the kids are in their carseats screaming and you're trying to remember what the heck you came to the grocery store for in the first place. Just do your best and when you feel guilty about it all (like I'm sure we all do), just remember that you are not the first woman who had her kids 9, 10, 11... months apart and you WILL NOT be the last!

[Eligrl3]

Let them be individuals.  I find myself so many times making my girls share the same clothes or shoes.  I even enrolled them in karate together.   Then I learned in order for them to feel separate they had to be themselves.  Now they are in different activities, even though I struggle I know my kids will appreciate me acknowledging their different strengths and weaknesses one day.

[GraphiXGirl]

My Irish Twins...or should I say IRISH TRIPLETS are now 4/12 and 5 1/2 and 6 1/2

we also have a 8 1/2 month old baby anyhow back to where I started

when they were babies/toddlers/ and such the best site I ever found with the most practical advice, and common stories where I laughed and cried goin thru 75% of the same experiences was at www.twinstuff.com

found great advice like my bright colored play gate system : ) Interlocking 6-12 panels makes any shape inside hall, living room, outside etc..has play phone, and more... great they loved it for 2 years...I never left them there long, but was bright pretty, and fun and all kids every age tried to get in when ever they visited!

Ask me any questions and I will try to remember thru the fog, and lack of sleep and exhaustion the best I can to give you an answer...

The best thing we ever DID D/H or S/O and me was after doin all natural up and feeding and sleep routine where they would be up until 9,10,11 at night until they crashed...WE CHANGED IT ROUTINE 7:30 from their 6months, 1 1/2yrs and 2 1/2 yr till present and NEVER LOOKED BACK never BETTER IDEA

By 8:30 we would have them asleep and we would be just US, movie, cards, talking, dates : ) Visitors and we would be loud, have fun, kareoake everything fun fun fun!

WE do a bedtime routine snack, lil drink, brush teeth, songs, talk time, stories, prayer and bed!

LONG and fun but we start around 7, stop by around 7:30 and get quiet by 8:00-8:30 most times we'd falls asleep by 9 or 10 sometimes have fun, still look forward every night to our time unmonst so many IRISH TWIN'd Babies that demand are every second and sweat labor and love!

MY three babies June 2005 after son born, Girls were May 2004, May 2003

NOW: PRESENT 8 1/2 months, 4 1/2, 5 1/2, 6 1/2

 

[HighRoadisHard]

My carriage is my freedom and my sanity!  Research, test drive, read reviews, and think about how you will be spending your time out with them.  Shopping?  Walking?  With so many styles and choices you need to choose wisely.  I have a double valco trimode jogger for walking and a light weight Chicco double stroller that folds small for the car (shopping). 

 I broke many rules that "the book" advised and did what I had to to survive the first year.  Binkies, overnight bottles, too many bottles, in my bed, lots of TV, tear the place apart...I'll be in the kitchen sipping coffee for a 5 min break and I'll clean it later...  Do what works for you!

[kherz]

I agree with everyone. We have to have movies on, bottles in the crib, snacks in the living room... whatever works at times. I have 13 mth old twin girls and a 26 mth old. I dont have time to rock them to bed, they learned to fall asleep on their own. The house is crazy 12 hrs a day. I try to nap when they do and relax whenever I can.