The Art of Parenting Twins

Over the past 20 years, the number of twin and multiple births has risen by 50 per cent, yet information on caring for twins and multiples remains sparse. Most childcare books touch lightly on the subject of multiples--here's one that fills in the gaps. Authors Patricia Maxwell Malmstrom, founder of TWINLINE (providing services for parents of twins) and mother of twins, and Janet Poland, parenting writer, address the issues and concerns of parents of multiples with aplomb and reassurance.

From the moment parents-to-be discover the news that they are having more than one child and enter what the authors call "twinshock", a state of stunned disbelief soon followed by elation, despair and many questions: "How will I tell my babies apart?" (Leave their hospital bracelets on, or paint one baby's toenails until there is no doubt in your mind) and "Will I ever go anywhere ever again?" (Yes. With planning.)

Malmstrom and Poland cover the biology and causes of twinning; the emotional terrain of parenting multiples; the differences between twin and single pregnancy; twin development in babyhood, toddlerhood, pre-school, school-age years and adolescence; and twins' relationships with each other from babyhood to adulthood. An excellent chapter provides help in coping with difficulties--financial problems, single parenthood, divorce, twin loss and disability. The authors provide intensely practical details on twin care, especially for babies (yes, they stress, you CAN breast feed multiples). Throughout, the authors dispel myths, provide tips and help fill the dearth of information that, until now, parents of multiples have faced. Malmstrom writes, "My hope is that someday parents of twins will have as much information as all other parents about how to nourish their children's healthy physical and psychological development". In this book, she and her co-author have begun to provide just that. --Ericka Lutz

View other editions of The Art of Parenting Twins.
View books by Patricia Maxwell Malmstrom, Janet Poland.

Review from a UK reader - Rated
This book is from the US - so UK buyers beware! The reference sections at the back of the book are useless to UK parents-to-be as they refer to US-based twin societies etc etc, and the tone and style of writing is strongly American. If you are a UK parent-to-be of twins there are other much better UK 'twinning' books on the market... don't make the mistake I did and buy this one!

If you are expecting twins, this is a good indepth resource - Rated
As a father expecting my first child, I was greeted with big surprise and anticipation at the prosepect that my wife was actually expecting twins!! This book deals with the complextity of twins, from pregnancy to birth and beyond into the teenage years.

I found it very enlightening, with good real life experiences from both the author and her many friends. The expliantions of all terminolagy are clear, and worries or concerns are delt with in a concise and accurate manner.

The only drawback? No pictures or illustrations, this is a text only book, and thus has to be read to fully apprectate it.

That said, I have found it a remarkable resource in making this experience a little easier!!