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Home › Articles › Multiples › Preparing for the Toddler Years

Preparing for the Toddler Years

8 Truths About Parenting Multiple Toddlers

By Elizabeth Lyons

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Without doubt, the toddler years with your twins, triplets or more will be full of laughter and amazement, not to mention CEO-level management. It is a time during which you will see clear evidence of the bond that has been forming between your children since the moment they were conceived. There are also many common challenges parents encounter while raising multiple toddlers. The bottom line is that these little people, while only 2 or 3 years old, are thoroughly convinced they rule the roost. That's the bad news. The good news – you're not alone!

A little advance mental preparation goes a long way toward long-term sanity. Knowing what's coming will ensure that you are at least one step ahead of those of us who had no idea what we were in for.

1. It Will Be a Very Noisy Time
Two- and 3-year-olds are notorious for having an opinion on nearly everything. They are also prone to needing to express those opinions – loudly – at each and every opportunity. That in itself makes for a potentially deafening environment much of the time. However, put two, three or more toddlers with opinions in a room together, and you'll quickly find value in construction-grade earplugs.

Additionally, toddlers don't merely express their opinions; they need to be sure you've heard them. They don't really care whether or not you agree, but they do require an indication that you're listening. Until they receive that acknowledgement, they will continue to repeat the same comment or question over and over (and over) until you respond – and then possibly a few more times even after you've acknowledged them. Be prepared to make the words, "uh-huh," "OK" and "yes" staples of your vocabulary.

Be careful, though, that you don't become too unaware of what they are saying as you respond so carelessly. One day, my boys were communicating why it was so important that they retrieve and consume a bag of marshmallows, and in my state of exhaustion, I uttered several "uh-huhs." Before I knew it, they were on the dining room floor devouring the contents of the bag hand over fist. Needless to say, it did not


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