Walking twins - Twin reins??

[twinmam]

My DTs (one tomorrow!!!) are on the verge of walking and certainly will be within the next couple of months I think. Part of me rejoices at this and the thought of in a few months time being able to stand one DD by the car whilst strapping the other one in rather than doing the twin dash backwards and forwards to the house as they wail in disgust/terror at being 'abandoned'. Another part of me realises, however, that walking twins may not necessarily be easier twins and that they will provide me with plenty more challenges! Has anyone got any advice on this? Did you use reins with your DTs? Or is it a terrible and hideous thing to restrain your children (am thinking prob not if it saves life and limb not to mention my sanity). Tips on dealing with toddler twins gratefully received!

[ChopsTheDuck]

i did use reins, mainly because when they do leg it in oppposite directions, it is easier to grab reins than wriggly arms. As far as the car went we had rules that they had to be touching the side of the car, or shove both in and then do one up at a time.
tbh though, when mine first started walking I either kept them strapped in the buggy or went to places where they couldn't get near a road or river! I do know lots of mums with twins who still push theirs in the pram at 3 or 4 yo jsut because its easier/safer than letting them walk!

[Tommy]

reins are a good thing IMO but, for some reason, they seem to be something that divides parenting opinion. A good friend f mine said she would never do that to her children as it was treating them like dogs

I use them for DS3 (nearly 2) and used them for my other DSs.

At toddling age, they have no idea about safety and will run off after a dog/cat/car/lorry whatever. You can't hold them in the same way with your hands

[ChopsTheDuck]

i'd ask your friend why she wants to stop her dogs from running into the road and hit by cars but not her children?

No matter how a person feels about reins I think with twins you have to do whatever you can to make life a bit easier and safer.

[Tommy]

exactly chops - however, the youngest of her DSs is nearly 10 now so I don't think it's an issue anymore! [rin]

[twinmam]

Thanks! Any recommendations on which ones to buy and when/ how to start?

[Tommy]

as soon as they walk outside and any usual type ones are fine. I have these You can get ones with a little rucksack attached - not sure what tha would be for but I suppose at least you could get them to carry their own nappy stuff around

[piximon]

I haven't tried twin reins yet, couldn't get my hands on any, but I just bought little backpak ones for my dts (2) from Asda for £5 a pair. I like that they have a grab handle on top for emergency stops. I usually have one dt walking and one in single buggy, I also have baby in sling and ds/dd 6 & 4 walking.

My dts are not at the same stage, one is better at running off walking than the other so until recently dt2 didn't feel left out at being stuck in the buggy, he's since had a taste of freedom so now life is getting harder rather than easier .

I've used reins with all of mine, I'd rather some neg comments or looks (we get them any way since there's so many of us) than an injured or killed child.

[piximon]

These are the ones I just bought. Suitable from 6mths+

[twinmam]

Wow Piximom - I thought I had my hands full! Thanks for advice everyone. Re. negative looks/ comments - is it not OK to tie them up outside a shop whilst you go in then?

[ChopsTheDuck]

That would be a great solution for urgent shop trips over half term!

I'm debating whether I can cram my twins in a trolley over half term (they will be 4 next month ) because I'm not quite sure how I'm going to manage trips with three children running in opoosite directions.

[twinmam]

Make one of them stand on the other's shoulders and push the trolley whilst other child sits in it?

[ChopsTheDuck]

then I'll leave myself tied up outside.

[twinmam]

Ooh good plan Chops - can I join you? We can send them in to do the shopping and we could get deckchairs and stay outside. Perhaps when it's warmer though...

[bellabelly]

Have just found this thread, having literally just had my first attempt with my 18-month twins on the reins. One walks pretty well, the other not very well yet.

Bought 2 sets of single reins ages ago and thought I'd try it out. It was a NIGHTMARE. Wanting to go in different directions, sitting on ground, felt like I was about to pull them over all the time... Any more recommendations for twin reins or indeed, any tips about how to use single reins successfully? (Tried leaving one in the buggy but he screamed and screamed)... [frazzled emoticon]