I don't have twins myself but a mum I go to playgroup with has twin boys (almost 4) and is pregnant with twins again, due in September. She's really not happy at all about it as she found it really hard the first time round when the boys were babies, and she is dreading taking care of newborn twins while dealing with her older boys as well.

Me and the other playgroup mums want to help her out as best we can, especially as her family are overseas and her in-laws interstate - what do you suggest that would be especially helpful for a mum with twins?

Thanks

Tanya
Eloise June 2001
Charlotte July 2004

Hello wonderful playgroup Mums, My stomach did a flip when I read your post as I cannot imagine 'doing twins' twice! YIKES. Anyway there are probably 101 things you could offer this mum...giving mum a break from older twins (can they play with other playgrp kids at their house occasionally) a couple of mums could rotate visits to Mum to allow her a trip to the supermarket, shopping, (pub!) etc. even just regular visits at those busy times to give a hand, groceries, nappies and meal deliveries, pram walking of younger twins, any babysitting..........anything you can think of will surely be a help. What a great playgroup, keep us posted Cheers, Caroline

I dont have twins, but was nosey and came in.

I personally, would be offering her lots of babysitting. Not jsut for the older pair, as kids with new baby siblings tend to feel left out, and mum and dad might like some special time with their big boys.

Depending on finances, perhaps a BIG stash of huggies newborn? If the twins are girls, some pink clothes and girlie things, as having 2 sets of twins, I would imagine she would be too busy to go out to shop, so the new bubs will just wear handmedowns, nomatter WHAT colour! ;p

Mostly just babysitting I'd say is the biggie, take food around that they can reheat, spend time there to mind her little boys, and make coffee and food and be moral support.

Congrats to your playgroup friend!

<p style="background:white;"><font face="verdana,arial,sans-serif" size="1" color="black">Kathleen!</font><br /><a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://lilypie.com/baby2/040512/3/4/5/+10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a></p>

No twins here either but was thinking if a few of you pitched in you could order a nappy service or some $$$ towards a house cleaner for a few weeks.

Something we did for my girlfriend for her babyshower was all take along a meal for the freezer, i.e. Cottage Pie or Lasagne.

Another could be to offer some playdates for the older twins.

HTH

Cheers

Kell

Me - 30
DH - 32
Grace - 26/11/2003
#2 EDD 7th November 2005


This message was edited by kellie14 on Saturday, 28 May 2005 @ 12:25 PM

Meals, meals, meals!!! I found that meals were very helpful!

Offering to do things like hang out washing! Put washing in the machine, ironing, folding, anything that she needs halp with & is comfortable with you doing.

Belinda

Meals will always be a big help as will offering to help look after the older boys. One of the other Mums on EB has 2 sets of twins (Jane Mc) and I'm sure she will be around soon and will be happy to let you know what would be fabulous to help your friend. Good on you for looking out for her!

Rhonda 25
DH 38
Jackson and Hayden 21/1/04

Another suggestion. Why don't you take it in turns once a week to go around to her place (minus your children) and do an hour or so of cleaning/ironing/washing whatever needs doing.

Or escort her on a trip out if she has to/wants to go somewhere with all her 4. Offer to take the big ones if she needs to take the little ones to the clinic etc and offer to babysit at her house so she doesn't have to get another 2 ready to get out the door.



Letitia 34
Dan 34
Georgia 6
Hamish 4
Xander 19mths
Noah 19mths
(plus angels Jesse, Dale and Matilda)

I agree with some of the other suggestions..........

We had meals for two weeks by the mums from church on the arrival of our twins, and they were just great. I don't think we would of eaten otherwise!!! I also had a lovely friend who came and did the ironing. It's just lovely to have those sort of things taken away from a very busy day. They are remembered much more than material things.

Wishing your friend all the best.

RACHEL AND HER BOYS
Barnaby 14

Oscar and Brodie 28/03/05

I'm only preg with twins but am a twin myself and a mother of 5 children. She's very scared by the sounds of things but us women are good at challenges i'm sure she will do fine but what the other mum's here, does sound very helpful but in the same token u don't want to be in the way too. i resently bumped into a mum of two sets of fraternal twins at the shop asking her for advice on prams. She seemed to be doing fine. I hope your friend handles it fine which i'm sure she will and she sounds like she has a huge amound of support at the playgroup Mel

Don't forget to help your friend before the babies arrive I found that was the hardest time!!!!!!
Being heavily pregnant and trying to look after the older children and the house was really hard.
* take the older children for a few hours to give her a rest
* cooking
*shopping
* washing and ironing
Buy nappies and wipes
A really good time to be there to help is when she is bathing the kids before and after the twins are born

Good luck to your friend and all you lovely ladies helping. (my friends say I can't get pregnant again they wouldn't cope LOL)

GOD BLESS FRIENDS



Wems
DD 31/05/00
DS 01/08/01
DD 07/11/02
DS 27/09/04
DS 27/09/04
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxmk043YYAU' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/13/13_1_104v.gif' alt='Ladies Night' border=0></a>

I think she will be fine too, but what a wonderful group you are to be doing this for her Big smiles and hugs to you all. One of the things I found the most relaxing after having my twins, and still do, is having my DF to look after the twins and be able to sit and have a cuppa with mum without having to jump up and down for a little while, so maybe two of you could visit, one have a cuppa with her (in a different area to the babies) while the other entertains the newbies, you could swap so everyone could catch up.

Well Done

Vanessa

TTC #1 for 6 years
Clomid 6 mths 2003
IUI Failed Sep 03
1st IVF/ICSI failed feb 04
1st FET 4/04 (Don't know yet)BFP!!! 1st May
Saxon 2.880k 4th Jan 2005
Maddison 3.370k 4th Jan 2005

Hi Tanya,

aren't you a wonderful friend !! That's probably what your friend will need more than anything, a friend to be there for her, to hold a baby, to lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on LOL !!!
aving two sets of twins isn't easy but you can let her know from me that it is very rewarding - my boys are 3 and a half and my babies are 9 months old & although it is pretty hectic, we are managing.
If people ask I agree with what everyone else has said - meals to fill the freezer, a nappy wash service or even stacks of disposable nappies & lots of offers for babysitting is definitely going to be appreciated - if you or your friend want to have a chat, pm me anytime !!!

cheers

Jane
Jackson&Riley 16/11/01 Ella&Liam 26/08/04

Thanks for all the good suggestions, hopefully we can make it just a bit easier for her and her hubby!