Things Having Twins Has Taught Me

My twins are two-and-a-half and have already taught me many great lessons. Before my beautiful twins came along, I had one child, and my perceptions of mothering were quite different back then compared to what they are today. So here are a few things that having twins has taught me.  

Vacations are…a lot of work.

If you’ve ever been on a “vacation” with little ones, you get this. End of story, no further explanation needed. 

All children have different temperaments.  

You’re either blessed with a child with a great, easy-going temperament, or in for some real fun if your child has a short temperament. I hear all the time, “I raised my kids the same, but they act so different.” Well, I TRULY have raised my twins the same. In the same environment, at the exact same time frame, etc. and, they are just different. One is a ticking time bomb, the other will literally do anything without arguing. So count your blessings if your child has a mellow temperament and don’t judge other parents whose kids seem, um, crazy. 

You can’t force your kids to like what you like.

My twins are so laughably different, in every possible way. One likes basketball, one doesn’t. One likes noodles, one doesn’t. One likes to get dirty, the other not a smidge of dirt can be on him. One likes adventure and is fearless, the other is very, very cautious. Point is, they are who they are and I have learned to embrace all their differences. As parents, we can guide our kids towards things we enjoy, but ultimately, they will choose to do what interests them. 

What the word tired really means. 

I really thought I was tired before I had twins?! Ha. 

Sleep training is just that, TRAINING.

Sleeping through the night isn’t just a God-given gift, it takes work. Sure, some magical newborns sleep through the night at 3 weeks without a single parent plan, but for most of us, sleep is something that is taught. I know this because I had one that was naturally a MUCH better sleeper than the other. The other one had his days/nights mixed up and took A LOT more patience. I had to really work at getting my “bad” sleeper on a schedule. It was all me. And I am proud of that. I know he’d still wake up every hour if I wasn’t persistent in creating good sleep habits. So for new parents, no matter what people tell you, you can make even the worse sleeper sleep through the night, and hopefully, that will give you some peace of mind. 

How to be more flexible.

Plans never quite work out like I intend. Someone will poop their pants on the way out the door or throw a tantrum trying to get shoes on or say “I don’t feel good” half-way to our destination. I am much more understandable now when a friend has to bail on me at the last minute because they have little ones. I totally get it.

That marriage is hard. 

I am blessed to be married to my best friend. After our first child, it seemed that our love only grew stronger for one another. But after having twins, and little to no sleep, we’ve learned that marriage is HARD. Having twins has taught us that marriage truly is a team effort, it is selfless, it takes a lot of patience, and selfless, did I say that already?! It’s saying no to things we want to do in order to say yes to each other. It’s having hard conversations at night when all you really want to do is pass out from exhaustion. It’s cleaning poop, pee, throw up, shattered glass, a carton of milk, so the other doesn’t have to. It’s remembering to have eye contact in the midst of chaos. It’s holding our tongue and not saying something stupid in the heat of the moment. It’s easy to love, but it is hard work to keep a marriage great especially when you have kids. Of course, my husband and I both agree that it is well worth all the work! 

Well, there you have it. Never would have thought that having twins would have taught me so much in just a few short years. I am sure I’ll continue to be challenged and I know my thoughts will change as the years go by. Many lessons are still to be learned from being a mom of twins!  

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Jamie
Jamie is originally from New Orleans, but has lived in Georgia now for 27 years, but frequently visits the Big Easy to visit family. She grew up in Gwinnett county and now she currently lives there with her 3 beautiful boys: Caden (5), Brooks and Hudson (2-year-old twins). She met her husband, Kurt, while obtaining her master’s degree in education at Columbus State University. Jamie taught high school Special education, biology, and math for 9 years in Gwinnett County as well as coached varsity volleyball throughout her teaching career. After finding out she was having twins in 2015, she decided that she was going to stay at home with her boys, who definitely keep her busy. Transitioning from a full-time job to staying at home has given her a perspective of moms in both positions . She is also a local ambassador for Street Grace, an organization that strives to help end Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking around the Atlanta area. Her passions include church, running, playing sports, crafting, healthy living, and of course family!