Dad's Guide to Twins

Your twins have been each other’s built-in best friend since day one. But at some point, usually around preschool or kindergarten , the world starts asking them to be individuals. That’s when things get interesting. Whether your twins end up in separate classrooms or you’re simply trying to help them develop their own friendships, figuring out how to facilitate separate playdates...

Teaching one kid to brush their teeth is a project. Teaching two at the same time? That’s a whole different level of logistics, patience, and toothpaste on the mirror. But here’s the good news: with twins, you actually have a built-in secret weapon. They have each other. And if you play it right, that sibling dynamic can make the whole learning process a lot smoother than you’d e...

Potty training twins is already a double challenge. Add nighttime training to the mix, and you’ve got a whole new level of parenting adventure on your hands. Here’s the good news: daytime and nighttime potty training are actually two separate milestones, and understanding that difference will save you a lot of frustration. Most parents don’t realize this until they’re knee-...

One of my twin daughters developed a fear of the dark around age three. Within a week, her sister had it too. This is the twin parent reality: fears multiply faster than you can buy nightlights. When twins share a bedroom , developmental fears like monsters under the bed, scary shadows, or loud noises don’t stay contained to one child. They bounce back and forth, amplify, and suddenly you&#8...

One of the hardest transitions I faced with my twin girls was the day they decided naps were optional. Scratch that. The day they decided naps were for babies and they were clearly not babies anymore. If you’re in the trenches of this transition right now, I feel your pain. That sacred afternoon window when both twins sleep simultaneously? It’s basically the only thing keeping you sane...

When your twins start moving, they don’t just crawl or walk. They become a force of nature. The term “Twinadoes” is accurate. And just like actual tornadoes, they leave a path of destruction in their wake. Once your twins are on the move, you’ll quickly realize that traditional baby containment methods won’t cut it. One baby gate? They’ll figure out how to open...

Raising twins is a crash course in everything, including how quickly they pick up on the manners you model for them. 💡 Quick Takeaways Twins naturally observe and copy each other, which can fast-track manners and social skills Start modeling “please” and “thank you” from infancy, even before they can talk Twin-to-twin empathy is a unique opportunity you won’t have with singletons Consisten...

You’ve probably noticed it happening. One of your twins comes home from soccer practice and announces, “I’m not as fast as Emma.” Or maybe during dinner, one twin says, “Everyone likes Tyler better than me.” Welcome to the comparison phase. It’s completely normal, but it can be tough to watch. Quick Takeaways Twins naturally start comparing themselves arou...

When my twin girls were toddlers, I’d take them to the park and watch something fascinating happen. Other kids would be running around, forming little groups, negotiating who got the swing next. Meanwhile, my girls would find a quiet corner of the sandbox and build elaborate castles together, completely content in their world of two. It was sweet. It was also a little concerning. Here’...

That double stroller has been your best friend for two years. But now your twins are getting bigger, more independent, and honestly, wrestling two squirming toddlers into that beast for a quick Target run feels harder than just letting them walk. Except walking means you’ve got two little people who can dart in opposite directions while you’re standing there with exactly two hands. I&#...

The transition from two naps to one is honestly one of the trickier phases of twin parenting. I remember when my girls hit this stage around 16 months, and suddenly our predictable rhythm fell apart for a few weeks. One twin was ready, the other wasn’t, and we found ourselves managing different schedules while also trying to keep everyone from melting down by 4 p.m. Here’s what I learn...

Let’s be honest: even if you think you have an excellent memory, the combination of sleep deprivation and caring for two babies will quickly prove you wrong. Those early weeks with twins at home create a perfect storm of exhaustion that makes even the simplest details slip away. Here’s the reality: you’re responsible for keeping two little humans alive and thriving, but your brai...

With twins in the house a big point of contention will be sharing. You might think that the easy way for you as the parent would be to get two of everything. However, this surely won’t work all the time and definitely doesn’t build character. And as we all know, your job as a dad, of course, is to “build character.” Right? Twin dad Kris Lloyd noticed that even when he bough...

One of the challenges with twins is that they get sick. Sickness doesn’t always strike both twins simultaneously . Your twins will catch a cold, get the flu, have a stomach bug, or come down with any number of other contagious illnesses. This brings up the question: how do you keep one twin healthy when the other is sick ? Is it Worth it? Every time one of our twins get sick, we have to ask...

We’ve got identical girls and often rely on their mannerisms and personalities to tell them apart. If you rely on this too, or hope to, be careful: twins switch personality traits at will. For example, one of our infant girls would be shy one week while the other was a social butterfly. Just when you thought that was the pattern, they switched and the social standout would cry hysterically w...

Having two newborns simultaneously can feel overwhelming, but establishing a predictable schedule is your secret weapon for maintaining sanity and helping your twin babies thrive. Think of your twins as having a completely blank calendar when they arrive and it’s up to you to fill it with the structure they need for healthy development. Creating and sticking to a consistent schedule for slee...

Taking care of one child is already going to require a lot of sacrifice on your end, but having twins is automatically going to double your efforts and your financial needs. You can save a lot of money if you know where to shop and what you can get for free (or at least with a discount). There are actually a lot of stores out there that offer discounts and a lot of free stuff for twins if you foll...

Once you find out that you are expecting twins, your mind races with tons of concerns and questions. Whether you’ve had children already or not, a twin pregnancy brings new unknowns that frankly can be overwhelming. It’s time to talk with your doctor. Talking to Your Doctor You’ll want to find a good doctor that you can trust and with whom you can have a comfortable relationship....

Episode 327 of the Dad’s Guide to Twins Podcast Show Notes Today we continue our father of twins interview series with Stephen Dause, father of twin girls. Listen as we explore his twin parenting journey, including: Finding out they’d have twins just after 24 year old adopted son moved out Concerns and anxiety about sleep and wife’s health Going to the hospital twice during pregnancy Choosin...

Hey Dads, it’s completely normal to need support during the twin pregnancy. Yes, support for you. During a twin pregnancy, the physical and emotional spotlight is naturally on your partner, but your role, your mental health, and your emotional well-being matter deeply. Here are some ideas on how to maintain your mental and emotional footing during this intense time: Acknowledge Your Experien...

When I found out we were having twins, one of my first thoughts after the initial shock wore off was: “Where are we going to put all their stuff?” Our modest three-bedroom home suddenly felt tiny. But after some creative planning and real-world experience, I discovered you don’t need two of everything or a mansion to raise happy, healthy twins. Here’s how to prepare your ho...

Fathers expecting twins often have specific concerns that tend to be exaggerated or misguided. You just don’t know what you’re getting yourself into and that leads to some irrational fears. I know, I’ve been there. Here are some of the most common fears that you don’t need to stress out about: “I’ll never be able to tell them apart” – This fear is us...

As a father of twins who’s done countless grocery runs, I’m going to share what actually works when you need to brave the supermarket alone with your infant twins. This isn’t theoretical advice—these are battle-tested strategies that have saved my sanity during that challenging first year (and beyond) with twins. The Easy Button Are you overwhelmed by the stress of hauling the tw...

As a father of twins, you’ve probably heard it all: “ Shouldn’t they be walking by now ?” or “My son was talking in full sentences at this age!” These well-meaning comments from friends and family comparing your twins to singleton milestones can be frustrating and sometimes even worrying. Let me share some perspective and practical advice on how to handle these...

As a father of twins who has weathered countless “double emergencies,” I’m here to tell you that yes, you will survive those moments when both babies need you desperately at the exact same time. Whether it’s one spitting up while the other has a diaper explosion, or both wailing for different urgent reasons, these situations are inevitable with twins. Here’s my battle...