So I often times read articles and postings in other blogs about parenting and parents with multiples. Just to get some advice or to see what other parents have done in raising their children and the choices they've made for their little ones, so I came across this father's blog about twins http://greatfatheroftwins.com/. I liked the idea of a father giving his perspective of raising his children and how the role of father is quite important in the development of the child as well as in assisting the mother (because twins can be quite overwhelming). I think the one advice he gave to fathers of singletons or multiples was "twins require a much more active participation of dads"I think often times dads are just as confused as the mother, especially when it's their first time around. I was a sponge for knowledge because I had no idea what to expect. But instead of turning to books, I turned to other mother's of multiples. The real experiences of mothers (parents) is priceless. I don't care what the books say they are the real experts. Which brings me to the next point from this father's blog. I LOVED HIS LISTS! It inspired me to make my own list. He makes a list of the 5 things he's proud of as well as the 5 things he regrets as a parent (father)of twins. So I decided to do the same but as a mother of course. I hope he doesn't mind but just in case the link to his blog is listed and I hope he knows it's just used merely as an aspiration to my blog. Any way here's my list:
I like to start off positive, however, in this case I'll start with the things I regret doing or not doing, and end on a progressive note.
5 things I regret as a mother of twins! In no particular order
1. Not keeping the feeding schedule from the hospital. This would have prevented them being fed at the same time and I think I could have nursed a little longer than I had.
2. Not nursing longer (more months) I think I did pretty good, however, I would have liked to nurse my children until they were a year old. There are so many benefits to breastfeeding, however, as they grew their appetites grew as well and it became more of a task to make sure I was giving them what they needed. Although I nursed longer than some of my peers I wish I had continued.
3. Not setting a strict bed time. I should have set a time early on because now my children think if I'm up that means they are suppose to be up too. So sometimes bed time isn't until 11pm.
4. Introducing them to television. Although I wasn't the one that did it, I did not stop they from watching. This is a regret on some levels because I don't want them to be too consumed with television programs or commercialized targeting of products and junk foods. For the most part they watch educational programs, actually that's all I'll allow. They watch Ni Hao Kai lan sometimes Dora the Explorer and public access with Sesame Street, Word Word (which I love, I'm some what of a word buff) and Dino Train which talks about all the different species of dinosaurs.
5. Not finding a suitable pediatrician sooner. It is so important that the parent/doctor relationship is clear and the two are on the same accord when dealing with babies health. I advize parents to do plenty of research on doctors before they give birth, because babies have so many appointments early on. As well, I would advize researching vaccines and medicines and make the decisions on how you feel about these things before you find your doctor so that you can find a good fit. Too often I've seen and have experienced a doctor that doesn't listen to you and your needs or the desires you have for your children. Although you didn't go to medical school, you still know what you want for your family and it's important that your pediatrician listens to your concerns and acts on your behave as well as the behave of your child when making decisions effecting their medical well being.
5 things I am proud of as a mother of twins! In no particular order
1. BREASTFEEDING! I feel as if giving my children my milk was the best thing I could have done for them. All I can say is OATMEAL! (this little helps mothers produce more milk)And no it wasn't easy at all. Breast feeding twins was quite a challenge. Having a pump saved my life. They started eating around the same time once I brought them home, which made it a challenge to try and nurse them both at the same time, so pumping made things a little easier, especially in those early 5:30am feedings. I had a great lactation nurse and she was so awesome with the advice. Turns out her daughter had a set of twins as well and she was so giving with the advice.
2. Being prepared. I bought everything in advance and I mean the larger items like strollers, crib, car seats and tons of onesies. I was able to have their room set up and bring them right home to their bed and our love. I didn't have to worry about not having what I needed for them because everything was taken care of early. I didn't know what I was having as far as the sex but we we were very ready for their arrival.
3. Eating healthy. I ate tons of veggies and fruits during my pregnancy, which prevented me from having problems like blood pressure or gestational diabetes or even gaining too much weight. SO many time women fall into the trap of over eating during pregnancy and putting themselves and their babies at risk for unnecessary complications. My children as a result are natural vegetarians. They eat squash and zucchini, lots of oats and whole grains and are full of energy for play time. They are much more active and progressive then their peers and aren't lethargic like some babies that consume foods with unnatural sugars and coloring or genetically modified ingredients which I talk about in other postings.
4. Tummy Time. I loved on my children and hugged and kissed on them tons, however, I understood the importance of letting them get a feel for the floor and crawling. This helped my twins crawl earlier as well as develop important developmental skills, like strengthening their backs and legs. They started crawling and pulling up long before most children their age. They were even holding their heads up at 6mos.
5. Talking to my babies. I never cared for baby talk or gibberish. I always felt like it hendered a child's speech and vocal development. I had full on conversation with my children. I pronounced words thoroughly and outwardly to them not at them. I even read to them as early as two months and played jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Nina Simone and of course a little Erykah Badu with various other HipHop and poetry albums thrown in there. I think as a result they are more verbal and began speaking very early. The youngest of the two actually said the other ones name very clearly at about 3 and half 4 months and they both were saying vowel sounds at 4 months old.
I hope these experiences help some other parents in their journey. I know all advice was good for me warranted or not I appreciate it all!
Love and growth
Empress ~Seed and Bean
I like to start off positive, however, in this case I'll start with the things I regret doing or not doing, and end on a progressive note.
5 things I regret as a mother of twins! In no particular order
1. Not keeping the feeding schedule from the hospital. This would have prevented them being fed at the same time and I think I could have nursed a little longer than I had.
2. Not nursing longer (more months) I think I did pretty good, however, I would have liked to nurse my children until they were a year old. There are so many benefits to breastfeeding, however, as they grew their appetites grew as well and it became more of a task to make sure I was giving them what they needed. Although I nursed longer than some of my peers I wish I had continued.
3. Not setting a strict bed time. I should have set a time early on because now my children think if I'm up that means they are suppose to be up too. So sometimes bed time isn't until 11pm.
4. Introducing them to television. Although I wasn't the one that did it, I did not stop they from watching. This is a regret on some levels because I don't want them to be too consumed with television programs or commercialized targeting of products and junk foods. For the most part they watch educational programs, actually that's all I'll allow. They watch Ni Hao Kai lan sometimes Dora the Explorer and public access with Sesame Street, Word Word (which I love, I'm some what of a word buff) and Dino Train which talks about all the different species of dinosaurs.
5. Not finding a suitable pediatrician sooner. It is so important that the parent/doctor relationship is clear and the two are on the same accord when dealing with babies health. I advize parents to do plenty of research on doctors before they give birth, because babies have so many appointments early on. As well, I would advize researching vaccines and medicines and make the decisions on how you feel about these things before you find your doctor so that you can find a good fit. Too often I've seen and have experienced a doctor that doesn't listen to you and your needs or the desires you have for your children. Although you didn't go to medical school, you still know what you want for your family and it's important that your pediatrician listens to your concerns and acts on your behave as well as the behave of your child when making decisions effecting their medical well being.
5 things I am proud of as a mother of twins! In no particular order
1. BREASTFEEDING! I feel as if giving my children my milk was the best thing I could have done for them. All I can say is OATMEAL! (this little helps mothers produce more milk)And no it wasn't easy at all. Breast feeding twins was quite a challenge. Having a pump saved my life. They started eating around the same time once I brought them home, which made it a challenge to try and nurse them both at the same time, so pumping made things a little easier, especially in those early 5:30am feedings. I had a great lactation nurse and she was so awesome with the advice. Turns out her daughter had a set of twins as well and she was so giving with the advice.
2. Being prepared. I bought everything in advance and I mean the larger items like strollers, crib, car seats and tons of onesies. I was able to have their room set up and bring them right home to their bed and our love. I didn't have to worry about not having what I needed for them because everything was taken care of early. I didn't know what I was having as far as the sex but we we were very ready for their arrival.
3. Eating healthy. I ate tons of veggies and fruits during my pregnancy, which prevented me from having problems like blood pressure or gestational diabetes or even gaining too much weight. SO many time women fall into the trap of over eating during pregnancy and putting themselves and their babies at risk for unnecessary complications. My children as a result are natural vegetarians. They eat squash and zucchini, lots of oats and whole grains and are full of energy for play time. They are much more active and progressive then their peers and aren't lethargic like some babies that consume foods with unnatural sugars and coloring or genetically modified ingredients which I talk about in other postings.
4. Tummy Time. I loved on my children and hugged and kissed on them tons, however, I understood the importance of letting them get a feel for the floor and crawling. This helped my twins crawl earlier as well as develop important developmental skills, like strengthening their backs and legs. They started crawling and pulling up long before most children their age. They were even holding their heads up at 6mos.
5. Talking to my babies. I never cared for baby talk or gibberish. I always felt like it hendered a child's speech and vocal development. I had full on conversation with my children. I pronounced words thoroughly and outwardly to them not at them. I even read to them as early as two months and played jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Nina Simone and of course a little Erykah Badu with various other HipHop and poetry albums thrown in there. I think as a result they are more verbal and began speaking very early. The youngest of the two actually said the other ones name very clearly at about 3 and half 4 months and they both were saying vowel sounds at 4 months old.
I hope these experiences help some other parents in their journey. I know all advice was good for me warranted or not I appreciate it all!
Love and growth
Empress ~Seed and Bean
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