Product Description

Raising any child is a challenge, but what happens when they come as a pair? As any parent of multiples will tell you, sometimes only talking with another parent who's been there can get you through the difficult times and help you to cherish the moments that make twins truly "double the love." In this complete guide to raising multiples from infancy through the high-school years, Susan M. Heim, a mother of twins herself, offers the insight and advice that only a mother of multiples can give. It's Twins arms parents with the information they need, from decisions about breast-feeding versus formula and classroom placement, to dispelling myths about twins and ensuring equal treatment while fostering individuality and combating competitiveness. Best of all, It's Twins outdoes all those "dry" parenting manuals by offering chatty, bite-size bits of real-world wisdom and experiences from other moms and dads at various stages of twin-rearing, making this guide not just informative but entertaining as well. A former Senior Editor for HCI's bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Susan M. Heim is the author of Twice the Love: Stories of Inspiration for Families of Twins, Multiples and Singletons (TWINS magazine, 2006, ISBN 1-891846-31-0) and co-author of Oh, Baby! 7 Ways a Baby Will Change Your Life the First Year (Hampton Roads, 2006, ISBN 1-57174-503-3).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #221715 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 328 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781571745316
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

It's Twins
This review may be biased since one of my stories is in this book. On the other hand, prior to becoming a mom, I was a counselor and have read many counseling/self-help books. When I found out I was pregnant with twins, I read every twin-specific parenting manual I could find (three books at the time). None of the books were as helpful and as interesting as this book.
"It's Twins" by Susan M. Heim is conveniently broken down into four different developmental sections (Ages 0-1; Ages 2-4; Ages 5-11; Ages 12-17). This makes it easy for the reader to quickly refer to the appropriate age level. Each section is then further broken down into Twin Tales, Twin Tips, Intriguing Twins, Twin Trivia and Points to Ponder. The Twin Tales are real-life stories written by parents of multiples (one of which is mine). These tales make the book more personal than other twin parenting books available. I only wish I had had the Twin Tips regarding air travel (which is three pages long) before I traveled with my twin toddlers since there were so many helpful suggestions that I could not find anywhere else (and believe me, I looked).
I have found this book to be extremely helpful in understanding and parenting my twins (and I am not just saying that because my story was in it). I only wish it had been written before they were born!

Invaluable advice
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (5/07)

Raising twins can be a real challenge. Susan M. Heim offers invaluable advice in her new book "It's Twins." The Forward of this book has five great tips: encouraging both parents to work together sharing the responsibility, accepting assistance from others, allowing children to mature at their own pace, allowing children to sleep in their cribs for their own safety and your sanity, and most importantly remember your spouse.

Life with twins is a test but also a blessing. The changes in your life are multidimensional. Only parents that have experienced multiples can truly understand the challenges parents of multiples face. Ms. Heim has first-hand experience in this fascinating role. Parents of children close together still have not confronted the same challenges

I am the proud parent of a set of twins. Our sons are now adults and I'm living proof that you will not only survive but there is life after twins! I cherish each memory of their childhood. We also have a daughter that is 2 years older than our sons. Ms. Heim is so right when she says the experience of raising a single is different from raising multiples. We were very blessed that our twins were born healthy and came home the same day I did. While our twins are not identical and we could tell them apart, for years no one else could. I still smile at this fact because even their hair color was different. I now have a friend with twin grandsons, they look so different but I can never remember which one is Cory and which is Cody. Raising twins was one of the most challenging and most wonderful experiences of our lives.

"It's Twins" by Susan Heim is an invaluable asset to every parent of multiples. I wish I'd had a copy when my twins were born! This book is divided into sections by ages. Each section offers tales, tips, profiles of twins, trivia, question and an area to record "your own special moments and memories." There is even a list of twin names. I love the "Twin Tales," stories sharing the joys of raising twins. This book is laid out in a commonsense manner. The information is easily accessible for the stage your twins are going through. The information is both entertaining and educational. The cover is charming, not too busy and very tempting. I could only wish there was a section on twins after they are grown! This book would make the perfect gift for parents or grandparents of twins or multiples.

Essential Reading for Twin Parents!
This book offers essential information for parents of twins and multiples. It is an amazing collection from parents who have experienced birth through college with twins. The detail is great and the writing styles fresh and natural. Check out Joanne Higgins Ensign's realistic view on breast feeding twins in the article "Five Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Breastfeeding Twins." The collection of articles reads like a round table discussion at a coffee shop. Informative, quick and straight to the point. Some articles like Cheryl Oberbeck Burn's "Twins Tale, Spring Parrots," offer surprising depth and vulnerability. In few words she conveys the challenge of making the preschool decision, doing the right thing, and being your own person.



Each article is followed by questions to assist the reader making their own choices.



This book offers a large amount of information in small bite size portions. A book to keep and reference again and again.