This Is What It's Like To Raise Twins

Double the sleep deprivation, double the fun.

1. You will need to prepare like it's the zombie apocalypse.

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No, seriously. Stock up on all the necessities you can for both you and your babies because you are going to be busy. And even more than busy, TIRED. With twins you may be changing 25+ diapers a day and doing just as many feedings.

2. From the get-go, twins love to be together.

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I'm not sure how my boys did it, but they always managed to snuggle up together wherever they were put to sleep. It always melted my heart.

3. Daddies/significant others may need a moment to adjust.

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I found my husband didn't have the post-birth hormones and adrenaline that kept me going. I also found out the reason he was so cheerful pre-babies was because he always got enough sleep. Chances are someone will always be handling at least one baby, so be kind to each other.

4. Your kids will gang up on you.

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Be ready for battle because trying to nix the antics of two kids who are doing something you don't want them to be doing is ten times as exhausting as trying to stop one.

5. Famous last words.

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I'm pretty sure I owe apologies to a few friends and relatives. You know, the ones whose houses you go to when you don't have little kids and wonder, "How could they let this happen? There is baby shit everywhere!" Well, I apologize for judging you. Because here I sit.

6. Who pooped in the bathtub?

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The great mystery. No one will confess. This is that brief period between when they will cover for each other and when they will throw each other under the bus.

7. Your house will never be quiet again. EVER.

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I usually feel like I am carrying on about four conversations at a time, and then there's the constant chatter the twins have among themselves: humming, singing, yelling, crying, you name it. But the sweetest sound ever is the nighttime lullabies. It really makes up for the daytime buzz.

8. That secret communication thing is real.

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Sometimes you just know there is telepathic stuff going on. Are they plotting against you? Or maybe they're silently discussing what to get you for your birthday!

9. Let them work it out.

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In fact, teach them to work it out. It's going to be their strongest tool in life.

10. You probably won't remember shit the first year.

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I still grieve about this. That first year was such a blur that my neighbor noticed my son's first tooth before I did.

11. Someone is always first.

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There is no way around this. Someone is going to be the first one to talk, the first one to walk, the best at drawing or the best at soccer. You just have to praise them both for who they are, not what they do.

12. Caring for sick twins will test you like nothing you've experienced before.

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Sick twins are the only force that can rival newborn twins. Nothing pisses off a toddler like not being able to breath through their nose. When one gets sick you should just go ahead and start preparing for the next one.

13. Some days you will swear they switched bodies while sleeping.

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You will go days — maybe even weeks — with two happy babies, and then someone will get grumpy. Then you will wake up one morning to find the other one has gone all Game of Thrones on you. Wash, rinse, repeat! It can be as confusing as hell, but it's totally normal.

14. Don't tell them who was born first.

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I know it seems ridiculous, but my older boy throws that extra ten minutes down like he won the "Fastest Kid on Earth" award. If I could do it over again, I would wait to tell them on their 21st birthdays.

15. There is real joy in spending one-on-one time with each.

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Sometimes it's just a little errand, but it helps connect us and makes the boys' day. They aren't always seen as their own person, so it means a lot to them to get that special attention.

16. It was hard to not be envious of my friends with singletons.

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Getting yourself and two babies out the door to meet up with friends can be really hard. I was usually a hot, sweaty mess before we even pulled out of the driveway. Then we would get there 15 minutes late and my singleton friends would be all cute and non-sweaty while i was hot mess mom lugging all my shit and all my babies. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. Looking good is overrated anyway. Pffft.

17. Their shared experience of new things is amazing to witness.

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This is the icing on the cake of having twins. There's nothing quite like getting to watch them share in the excitement of discovering things together.

18. Vacation travel is about as relaxing as bathing a cat.

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The amount of stuff you have to take is unbelievable! Carseats, pack and plays (when they're younger), food, drinks, clothes for everyone. Have your significant other drop you off at the terminal to wait so you don't have to lug all the junk on a shuttle from parking.

19. Parenting twins will test your marriage.

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I always thought my husband and I had a kind of charmed relationship. It was totally crazy how we met and I really had this fantasy in my mind that we were special. Bahahaha. Twins will wake you right up from that fantasy. I love you, honey, and you're still my soul twin! xoxo

20. They will comfort each other.

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And there will be nothing sweeter.

21. You may not know who you're sleeping with.

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Some nights it's like musical beds around here, but the precious period of night time snuggles will end. And even though it's tiring and hard sometimes, I am going to cherish it as long as I can.

22. They will make friends together and apart.

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This year they'll start Kindergarten together. I'm not gonna lie, the thought of two classes, two teachers and two different set of expectations is a bit terrifying, so unless it's holding them back, I need them to remain together until they graduate. Is that too much to ask?

23. Being born with your best friend is priceless.

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I have never seen two people who are able to spend so much time together and genuinely enjoy each other's company. It is such a blessing. And they fill my heart with joy every day.

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Andrew Richard