Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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 Immediately I discovered that many of the views were a bit outdated.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.

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.

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!

This book is great! It covers everything from pregnancy through the school years. The quotes could have came out of my mouth! It's full of wonderful ideas from how to feed two babies at once to how to keep your twins busy.

This is the best book I have read about raising twins or more. I'm a mexican mother of triplets and you don't have an idea how this book has helped and resolved all my questions, doubts and everything referring to multiples. I surely recommend it.

As an expectant mother of twins, I have read several books on the subject of twins pregnancy and raising twins. I have found this book to be one of the most straightforward and reassuring books that I have read. Other books I read made me feel overwhelmed, as if I am not up to the task. This book has had a very calming effect on me, because of its practical and non-judemental advice. The quotes from parents of twins throughout the book are revealing and helpful as well. Because the authors are from the UK, some of the quotes will sound funny to Americans, such as the one from a woman who said that she drank plenty of Guinness to help her regain her strength after her babies were born.

This is a well balanced book which will help any parent of multiples keep their sanity -- as much as that is possible :)

The quotes were wonderful. Many of them really rang true and gave me a sense that other families knew exactly what we were going through. It covered all the issues that I could think of.

I did not read this book, but purchased it for my niece, who will be delivering twins tomorrow. She raved about it.