The Parent's Guide to Raising Twins: From Pre-Birth To First School Days-The Essential Book For All Those Expecting Two Or More [Paperback]

Elizabeth Friedrich (Author), Cherry Rowland (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312039069 | ISBN-13: 978-0312039066 | Publication Date: January 15, 1990 | Edition: 1

For anyone expecting twins-and for those already raising them-The Parents' Guide to Raising Twins is a practical and comprehensive resource. Cherry Rowland and Elizabeth Friedrich, both mothers of twins, have tapped into a wealth of guidelines and advice from doctors and nurses, as well as the personal experiences of thirty-five other parents of twins and triplets.

They map out the special problems and pleasures of:

-Being pregnant with twins: how to obtain an accurate diagnosis; prenatal care; complications to watch for
-Managing the early months: how to adjust to sleeping patterns; breast-feeding for two or more; the question of dressing twins
-Treating young twins as individuals: how to cope with the competitiveness (and closeness) between twins, and common misconceptions about "twinness."

The authors list clubs and organizations specially devoted to issues of rearing twins. With their help, no parent will feel alone in caring for more than one baby at a time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a really lovely book written with versatility and understanding in a warm, relaxed style." --Shiela Kitzinger, author of The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1 edition (January 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312039069
• ISBN-13: 978-0312039066
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,412,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Twins & Multiples

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Outdated, pessimistic views abound., October 15, 2005

By 

Aaron J. Jeffers (Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The parents' guide to raising twins (Paperback)

I purchased this book about a year ago while I was 5 months pregnant with my twin boys. Immediately I discovered that many of the views were a bit outdated. It is very evident that it was written before twins and multiples were as common as they are now. Many of the concerns (doctor's offices, shopping, travel) discussed are simply not an issue any more. Most pediatrician offices are very well equipped and able to handle twin visits. Nearly all grocery stores have those awesome shopping carts with infant seats already attached (a push/pull of two carts isn't that hard). And as far as getting around, there are literally dozens of twin and triplet strollers available now.

I found the book to consistently present the worst of every situation. From clothes, to bathing and feeding nearly all the parents seem overwhelmed and frustrated. It really isn't like that! My boys are 7 months old now and I can honestly say... raising them has been nothing like it seemed in this book.

I say, find a more a recently written book and one that is based here in the US if you live here. The cultural differences and new commoness of multiples really make for a big difference.

Enjoy your babies, and relax! My twin theory is this:
Whatever you just did... You just do it again.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Parent's Guide to Raising Twins, May 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Parent's Guide to Raising Twins: From Pre-Birth To First School Days-The Essential Book For All Those Expecting Two Or More (Paperback)

Parents Guide to Raising Twins is the best book I have read so far on multiple in the early years. Friedrich & Rowland cover all the important stages from pregnancy, to labor, to issues like surviving the first year through their preschool days. They blend a great sense of humor with the realities of multiples. As a new mother of triplets with very little time to do anything, much less read, I found this book a must read for all mothers either expecting multiples or those mothers with multiples in their early years.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DEPRESSING and OUTDATED, March 14, 2006

By 

J. Holup "jholup" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Parent's Guide to Raising Twins: From Pre-Birth To First School Days-The Essential Book For All Those Expecting Two Or More (Paperback)

I first tried to read this book while I was pregnant with my twins. I often had to put the book down in tears because it was so negative and made life with twins seem unbearable. Thinking maybe I was overly emotional while pregnant, I have since tried to read it again now that my twins are 10 months old. I found the book to be the same(no more tears though, because I know the reality). Twins are hard, but not as hard as this book makes them seem. Also, a lot of the material is terribly outdated - birth options; dr's office not able to accomodate twin appts or being annoyed when you bring a double stroller into the office - please! That has never happened to me once! You get lots of attention pushing around a double stroller with twins, but it is all positive! The book made me feel like I'd be treated as some kind of freak with my twins, and that my days would be horrible. The reality is that you work very hard, but twins are a joy, they are manageable, and nobody treats you like a freak!