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Home › Articles › Multiples › Two Peas in a Pod?

Two Peas in a Pod?

Ten Ways to Encourage Individuality in Twin Toddlers

By Nancy Vondrak

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"Twins will always share a birthday, and toddler twins will probably share a birthday celebration," Natoli notes. Over the years both she and Morilak have used the following ideas to allow each of their twins to enjoy that special day that he shares with a sibling:
  • Provide each twin with his own cake in whatever flavor and theme he chooses.
  • Sing "Happy Birthday" twice with each twin taking a turn to blow out his own candles. Some moms even record in a notebook or journal which twin is sung to first. Writing this down will help ensure that next year the order is reversed.
  • Give separate presents and cards for each child to open to help develop the individuality concept, too.

  • Use humor to divert comparisons. Despite all your attempts to emphasize the individuality of your twins and to educate extended family members, comparisons are inevitable. Well-meaning strangers are usually the worst offenders. Keeping your sense of humor can help you respond. For example, a mom's light-hearted response to "Which one is smarter?" might be "I think I am!"

  • Enjoy your twin toddlers and remember to nurture the natural bond between them as well as to encourage their individualism. "If you try to discourage that bond, you'll hurt them more than help them," says Kent.

    Dr. Arnold Friedman, a pediatrician in Cleveland, Ohio for more than 30 years, relishes the relationship he has had with his identical twin brother, Seymour. "Being a twin was a big plus in my life," he says. "Parents of toddlers can enjoy one big advantage, too. Twins are their own entertainment committee!

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