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AmandaV
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| Posted: May 09 2011 at 9:50pm | IP Logged
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And the other two (soon 3, God willing) kids!
I know there are twin forums and such, but I can't do them - the family dynamics and size are often so different, and I really haven't been back since right after my boys were born. I know several on here have twins and might have some sound advice for me. I am trying to embrace our blessings - and there are many- and the crosses God has given us amongst them, but right now there is just so much craziness. My son is almost 7, and school is getting gradually more intense, and my 5 year old is learning to read and is eager for more structured work. My almost 3 year old boys sit quietly and play together - for maybe 10-20 minutes at a time a few times a day. They are very boyish boys, and never stop. We are managing, but I want to thrive, and I'm worried, though not despairing, about the balance with an infant too. I'm counting on their attention span growing a bit as they get a little older, and I'm blessed that they have each other and that my son is an anvanced reader. But there's the running in two directions and interruptions too. So, any advice? We are cutting out anything not adding to our school, which I am excited about. And I am praying that the Lord will help me to bring more organization into our home, which is not my natural talent, though it is my husbands. Thanks in advance!
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Amanda
wife since 6/03, Mom to son 7/04, daughter 2/06, twin sons 6/08 and son 7/11, son 1/2014
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Nique
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| Posted: May 10 2011 at 12:00am | IP Logged
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Dear Amanda,
First of all, congratulations on all of your many blessings. God truly is pleased with you, and it shows!!
The days I get the most homeschooling done with my older ones, are the days my parents (or my dh's parents) take my twins (5 year olds) out! We have asked each side to please choose an afternoon of the week that is best for them, and to drive over and literally take them somewhere ELSE  . After a few hours, they return..refreshed (the kids) and worn out (the grandparents). No, no..just kidding!
Our twins look forward to their time each week with their grandparents, and it is such a help to the rest of us! And we are so grateful 
When your littlest one joins in the fun  , carrying him in my woven wrap helped me still have 2 arms free to assist my older ones, with whatever they needed help with.
Plus, you can HS on the days your hubby is off as I'm sure you know, so HE can help take your twins on any errands that need to get done, say groceries or washing the car..even watching Daddy get a haircut!
You watch how much you can get done with 3 good afternoons  You go girl!
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I had always thought that once you grew up you could do anything you wanted - stay up all night or eat ice cream straight out of the container. ~Bill Bryson
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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: May 10 2011 at 10:13am | IP Logged
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Our twin DDs are 3.5 and things are really starting to improve. I think I posted a thread last year asking how to homeschool with 2 year old twins and an infant. I will search for it and link it here for you, I got a lot of good advice.
It really does get easier! Just take it day by day. At your children's ages, reading, writing, and math are all you *really* need to focus on.
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Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: May 10 2011 at 10:15am | IP Logged
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Homeschooling with 2 year old twins
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Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
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AmandaV
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| Posted: May 10 2011 at 12:04pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, Nique. Unfortunately, we are 4 hours from both sets of grandparents and none are retired. My husband isn't home during the week, but I have thought about trying to do some work with my son in the early evening when dad is home. It just seems to be so busy - eating, visiting with Dad, baths, bed time... but Saturdays might be a possibility too. Lindsey, thanks for the encouragement and link to the old thread. I think I read that a while ago, but it is a good reminder with good tips. I just don't feel I can postpone his lessons to nap time, or his attention is not nearly as good and handwriting becomes more of a chore.. and the boys don't always nap...
I'll keep thinking and trying and praying. :)
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Amanda
wife since 6/03, Mom to son 7/04, daughter 2/06, twin sons 6/08 and son 7/11, son 1/2014
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: May 10 2011 at 1:22pm | IP Logged
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I don't have twins.. but I've had many littles. And things improve so much as they get older.. it seems like it'll be forever but it really will only be a short time. Mine have always either been a real handful at 2 and improved at 3.. or not so much at 2 and then got worse at three.. but either way.. by 4 yrs there's a huge difference.
I don't know if you use or have considered using videos to give you one block of time. But I'd recommend the Leap Frog DVDs.. my toddlers and preschoolers (and older kids) love them and they do a real good job teaching some basic phonics so that it's not just vegging in front of the tv but really offers some learning.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: May 10 2011 at 1:39pm | IP Logged
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I have "twins" (they're 3 months apart), but they are my oldest two, so my situation is a bit different. However, I agree with Jodie that when you have lots of littles, no matter what their ages, it's going to be difficult to have pockets of quiet time to work with the older ones. I try to take a bit of time in the mornings to do some preschoolish work with my two 4yos, and the 2yo and 1yo are always a handful! I can only imagine how it's going to be when I start kindergarten with them in the fall and add a baby into the mix as well. Some things that work for me--probably obvious, but I'll throw them out there anyway:
:: I try to read aloud while the littles eat. They still need my attention, but at least their mouths are full so they stay somewhat quiet!
:: I keep a few special toys aside to use only at that time. For example, my 2yo and 1yo play with their play dishes immediately after breakfast. That usually buys me about 15 minutes, and once they start fighting over it or causing trouble, I put the dishes away until the next day so that they'll still be fresh. Fifteen minutes is enough time for me to get my older two working on their art project, or to read some poetry, or to play a little math game.
:: You mentioned that your son has difficulty getting lessons done later in the day since his attention is fresher in the morning. Same thing here. But is there some subject that you could push off until naptime--more engaging work, for example, or art, or your read-aloud time--that he would be able to handle in an afternoon block? If there were a subject or two that you could wait until later to do, that would free up the very short amounts of time you have early in the day for the more challenging subjects.
:: With my "twins," I have the tendency to have them do everything together. But sometimes I find that they do behave better when they're given their own little tasks to work on alone. If I have my daughter doing a puzzle in one room, and my son working with blocks in another, they are often calmer just having that distance from each other. It is wonderful to have children close in age because they can entertain each other and play together, but sometimes that is part of the problem too! So much silliness, and a tendency to get out of control. Splitting them up occasionally helps me (and them, I think).
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Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Mothering twins...
