| A Double Challenge : Twins and the First Time Mother |
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By Simmi Virdi
Motherhood is continuously full of surprises and the first time mother is often overwhelmed with how stressful it can be to be totally responsible for a newborn infant. Infants demand care constantly and, particularly when coupled with hormonal fluctuations that can occur after giving birth, the first few weeks with a new baby can be a strange mixture of joy and absolute, draining exhaustion. Imagine, then, that instead of bringing home one squalling infant, the new mother has to bring home two. The art of parenting twins has unique challenges that the mother of a single child can not imagine. Having twins is not simply twice as hard as having a single baby. There are certain dynamics in the parenting of twins that can not be duplicated in a single child system. For example, the single child must sleep at some point, and the mother can find sleep and downtime by matching her schedule to the baby's. However, with twins, it is conceivable that at least one child can be awake at any time. This makes it absolutely vital that twins be placed on identical schedules as early as possible. Of course, this can often be easier said than done, particularly in the early months. It is important to remember that there is no shame in asking for help when parenting twins. This task is monumental and, to be up for it, you will have to have rest, downtime, and emotional support. The husband can help out on weekends and in the evenings or, for single mothers, friends and family can be enlisted for support. Church groups, mother's day out programs, and other community based organizations may be able to help as well. It is important to find support in any way that you can. Of course, there are real world advantages to having twins as well. One bonus, particularly as the children get a bit older, is that they have a ready made, built in playmate. Therefore, twins do not typically require as much entertainment from the parent. Also, many first time mothers of twins are surprised to find how many online shops and retail outlets provide free giveaways to parents of twins. It is possible to save thousands of dollars during the first year on supplies for parents of twins using these offers. About the author Simmi Virdi is a mother and runs www.wellcaresite.com - Health & Beauty Articles, News plus more in her free time. |
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