Double Duty : The Parents' Guide to Raising Twins, from Pregnancy Through the School Years (Paperback)

by Christina Tinglof (Author) "Parents of twins hear all sorts of odd questions and misinformed comments about twinning from friends and family (and even strangers), such as "Are they..." (more)
Key Phrases: snugly sack, bouncer seats, twin bond, School Days, Mothers of Twins Club (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
In 1994, more than 96,000 twin births were reported in the U.S. Regardless of the cause, the shock--and sometimes panic--a woman feels when she hears that she is going to give birth to twins cannot be overlooked. Christina Baglivi Tinglof, in her new book, Double Duty, attempts to guide moms and dads through twinning trauma with tips that will make their life easier. Tinglof organizes her tips into "Top Five" lists and sprinkles them throughout the book. These lists include "Top Five Comfortable Sleeping Tips for Extremely Pregnant Women," "Top Five Bedtime Strategies," and "Top Five Ways to Establish Each Child's Individuality." Parents of twins will note the author's "Top Five Birthday Party No-Nos": One cake--one song; the shared gift faux pas; one guest list; playing up twin status; identical kids--identical gifts. An appendix filled with additional resources, as well as where to get free samples of baby products, makes Double Duty an extremely practical book for ! those blessed with twins. -- GRAND RAPIDS PARENT, October 1998

Mothers of twins hold other mothers of twins in high regard, so the fact that a woman with young twin boys found time to write a book makes her something close to holy in my book. Double Duty, by Christina Baglivi Tinglof, is a fine primer covering a broad range of advice, presenting both sides of the coin on topics ranging from pregnancy to the school years. As we moms of twins know, all twin issues take on a heightened level of complexity. Designed with lots of "Top Five" lists, the text, often humorous and always clear, offers intelligent choices when pondering the panoply of pros and cons regarding things like the safety of twins amniocentesis, bed rest, separate classrooms, to go to work or to stay home, etc. So--how do you go out with two infants or toddlers, or breastfeed for two, or conquer air travel or stop two from crying simultaneously? Presenting the opinions of parents of twins and parenting experts, it's all here without ever being preachy or didactic. In her closing "cliches" (her word, not mine), she reminds us to ultimately "listen to your heart," and her book is long on heart.--Reviewed by Hilary Hartman Kip -- LA PARENT MAGAZINE, November 1998

Product Description
What lies ahead for expectant parents of twins? Immeasurable joy, plus many sleepless nights. Parenting twins is unlike parenting siblings of different ages. From infancy through the teen years, twins require a bit more energy and diplomacy, plus lots of clever ideas. Double Duty: The Parents' Guide to Raising Twins, from Pregnancy Through the School Years offers plenty of reassuring advice and practical strategies for coping with the challenges that lie ahead. Featuring a wealth of tips from couples with twins who've lived to tell about it, Double Duty covers everything from managing a multiple pregnancy to the first days of school. Whether you're concerned about bonding with two babies at once, getting them on the same schedule, or separating your inseparable duo for a day, Double Duty suggests many comforting solutions. It covers such twin-specific issues as:

• How to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy
• How to prepare home and family for the arrival of twins
• How to survive the critical first month
• How to breastfeed or bottle feed two infants at once
• The pros and cons of dressing twins alike
• How to encourage paternal involvement
• How to avoid speech difficulties in twins
• How to avoid unhealthy competition between the siblings

Christina Baglivi Tinglof has had travel features published in the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune Boston Herald, and Westways Magazine. Now, as a full-time mother, she writes on parenting for LA Parent and Central California Parent magazines. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Kevin, and their fraternal twin boys, Joseph and Michael.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809230194
• ISBN-13: 978-0809230198
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,286 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #13 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Family Relationships > Siblings

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well written, November 17, 1999

By	Kellie Hart (Novato, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am expecting twins and have bought several books on this subject. This was the first book I actually read from cover to cover! It was well organized and informative on the things I felt most important (like how will I shop for groceries with twins?). I reccomend it highly and I believe that it will keep your interest throughout.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars To be bought with other baby books, don't just rely on this, August 22, 2000

By	Angela Sargeant (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

Initially I thought this book was great but then realised some of the impracticalities. To suggest that you take your twins to the supermarket using two shopping carts (pushing one in front and pulling one behind you) made me laugh... I can't see how this is possible when you have four little hands grabbing things out of the cart and off the shelves!

There are some really good tips though, such as how to keep the twins amused. Also the section on statistics and twin types was very interesting.

I suggest parents also buy books such as "What to Expect the First Year" by Arlene Eisenberg.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good quick glide over a large territory., July 19, 2007

By	R. M. Asmundson "Mark Asmundson - rabid reader" (Bellingham, Wa United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are expecting twins and only can choose or take the time to read one book, this is the one to buy. As we have a pair on the way, (at a rather late time in life for me, I already have three adult children), I am keenly interested in what is in store for my wife and me in the months ahead. Having now read several books about twins, I would say that Baglivi-Tinglof's "Double Duty" is perhaps the most readable, if not the most in depth, review of events to come. She clearly sets forth what to expect in the pregnancy stage, what to do in preparation, and perhaps just as valuable, what you don't need to concern yourself with on hearing about the upcoming 'doubly blessed event(s)'. She doesn't stop there but also provides a succinct summary of what to expect in the next phases of their lives. You won't regret the practical and straightforward information this book provides. It is also performs another valuable service: calming the expectant parents. So much on the internet focuses on the challenges and potential complications of the twin experience, this balanced view is very refreshing.