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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 1 year old twins are bloody impossible?

184 replies

TammyswansonTwo · 01/11/2017 08:59

Okay, when they were babies it was bloody hard. Like, going insane levels of hard. But at least I could bloody put them down and they'd stay where I put them.

They can't even walk yet and they're already driving me crazy. Let's recap:

  • they have 1 x 20 minute nap a day
-one has figured out how to escape from their very expensive, should last til 2 bouncers
  • got a very pricey big playpen which has saved me but now they've refused to stay in it, and have figured out how to gang up on it and prise it open
  • they wait until I'm just starting to relax, or I'm busy changing the other and then they dart off in opposite directions - one attempting to pull the TV over, the other heading straight for the baby crusher (just kidding, I don't have a baby crusher but everything in the house is a potential baby crusher

Would a big dog cage be unreasonable?

Just kidding. But any suggestions that will stop me losing my mind. My vocab seems to have shrunk to their names, "stop it", "no" and muttering expletives.

OP posts:
MrsMarigold · 02/11/2017 11:19

I have two close together but they've always been climbers and the width of our staircase meant stair gates weren't an option, they howled in the playpen, all the door handles in our house are low, so I could never contain them, it was awful. I only ever changed them on the floor because if wild wriggling. I found tasks (i.e. one holds the nappy rash cream and gets out the wipes while we changed the other one good) and distractions were the only way I could do anything.

Now they are five and six they are much better, although they still climb everything and run everywhere. I think because they had to navigate a hazardous house early on they are sensible and competent.

FauxFox · 02/11/2017 11:42

Definitely get a room baby proofed with a gate on so you can leave them in it safely. Also if they start climbing out of cots and are in their own room gate that - nobody wants a night wanderer!

I've got twins who are now 12 - it gets easier Grin If you are in Bmth/Poole I will happily come and 'homestart' you for a couple of hours a week (I did the training but don't do it 'officially' anymore)

Good luck! xxx

RandomUsernameHere · 02/11/2017 11:48

Hang on in there OP!
I found it really helped to do as many activities out of the house as possible. It's much harder work staying home than going out in my experience.
Also, secure all large items of furniture to the wall.

Herschellmum · 02/11/2017 12:01

When my twins were born my eldest Singleton wasn’t yet 2 ... I don’t know how I survived the first couple of years! They are nearly 6 now, all is well, it gets easier I promise but every time someone told me that when I was in the mists of it I wanted to stab them in the eye with a pencil.

greenhighlighter · 02/11/2017 12:57

I have 17 month old twin girls and I sympathise! I get out everyday with them so they can have free run of the local park, soft play, and then go to my mums or MIL's for a cuppa then we go back home for them to play whilst I get dinner ready then its bath. bottle and bed. They are knackered - as am I, and we have really lovely days together and the girls get some fresh air.

Hang on in there!

coffeescoffee · 02/11/2017 15:51

OP you sound amazing - can't imagine having twins!!

My friend paid a local Senior School girl to come and help her with bath-time for a couple of hours. She wanted to work in a Nursery when she left school so it was good experience for her.

Or trying the local College people have suggested already I know - there must be youngsters out there that would love to help out for not a lot of payment

peachy94 · 02/11/2017 15:57

I remember that stage with DS and one child was hard enough! I know it’s no help but that stage doesn’t last too long. Could you go to soft play and let them run (crawl) wild? Will they nap in the pushchair or car?

Original poster
TammyswansonTwo · 02/11/2017 16:01

FauxFox you're going to massively regret saying that because I actually am in Poole 😂 In fact I may know you through the twin club if you're involved. Shouldn't be surprised with the weird excess twin rate down here (what's in the water?). That's such a lovely offer but you really don't have to do that.

Had a landmark day today - I left the twins with someone for the first time ever. Okay, so it was a crèche, down the hall from the room I was working in, but they stayed there for FIVE HOURS. They actually napped. They didn't have much food or milk. One of them didn't seem to notice I'd been gone each time I crept back in due to the overwhelming amount of exciting new toys (this weekend is going to involve shopping for new toys!)

My pain and fatigue levels are through the roof today and I'm sat on the loo listening to them cry to get out of the playpen. Argh! I'm so tired.

Deep breathe. Off we go!

OP posts:
Glittertwins · 02/11/2017 18:41

As others have said, it does get easier - ours are coming up on 10 yrs now. We babyproofed a room with stair gates and blocked off the bookshelves/tv and dvd so they could cause too much mischief...however we had fun when they learnt to scale the stair gate!

Glittertwins · 02/11/2017 18:42

**couldn’t cause too much

user1471451866 · 02/11/2017 20:44

I love your name too OP!
Something I just remembered (sorry if it has already been mentioned) we took off the door handles and put them back on upside down. The twins weren't able to push the handles up to open the door. Much easier than constantly tying them shut. Caught out a few visitors though!

dram10dram · 03/11/2017 07:39

It does get easier, or at least different! My twins are 16 now, the first year was a blur. I'm a single parent and it has been trying but they and you do progress.

Best of luck xx

feesh · 03/11/2017 08:27

When mine were this age I actually sent them to nursery twice a week for a few months. It saved my sanity.

It does get easier. When they were two, it was tough as they were fighting all the time, but they also listened better to me giving them constant bollockings and didn't try to kill themselves at the playground/go off in different directions etc. And then when they turned three it was magical as they became good buddies and starting playing together - at this point I actually felt that it was easier having twins than a singleton!

kktpj · 03/11/2017 08:40

I second getting out for a walk in the buggy.......they'll sleep and you'll feel better.
My twins are 19and at uni....I'd give anything to be back to when they were 3 but not the stage you're at lolBrew

Original poster
TammyswansonTwo · 03/11/2017 11:02

Thanks all. They slept quite well last night (one only woke up once!) so feeling a bit better today. Supposed to be going to soft play this afternoon, just trying to summon up some energy to go through the military exercise that is getting out of the house!

OP posts:
SnugglySnerd · 03/11/2017 12:55

This is so not what I wanted to read today. We are in the middle of sleep regression he'll with 8mo twins. I keep hoping it's going to get easier not harder!

I have an older one and I do think it's easier to occupy them/wear them out when they can stand/walk. They can suddenly use sand/water trays etc. Also you can take them out in the buggy. Find somewhere for them to toddle about for a bit and with any luck they'll sleep on the way home.

Good luck!

Storminateapot · 03/11/2017 13:21

I remember it well, although mine are 15 now. I promise it gets easier. We ended up basically stripping one room down to bare basics and putting a gate on the door so they could be in there without doing too much damage to themselves or stuff.

Once they're walking the levels of evil genius get even more interesting. Mine brought the contents of the sandpit in to the sitting room carpet because they wanted to play sand and watch tv at the same time. I was watching them beetle about the garden/sandpit happily from the kitchen window and had no idea what they were up to. Another time they flooded the upstairs bathroom and we only found out when water started dripping down a light fitting of the room below.

Once they are old enough to play properly together it does get easier and I found them far less demanding than my older DD because they always had a playmate.

Hang in there!

Original poster
TammyswansonTwo · 03/11/2017 17:51

Snuggly, 8-9 months was the hardest bit for me I reckon. I'd rather be dealing with this than that awful period of zero sleep. There are many things about life that's easier now than it was then, just different challenges now!

OP posts:
SnugglySnerd · 05/11/2017 15:03

Thank you Tammy. I can't think of anything else we can try nowin terms of longer naps/shorter naps/more food/more milk etc. We just have to ride it out I think. Hopefully they'll start crawling soon and tire themselves out!

FauxFox · 07/11/2017 17:04

I've Pm'd you tammy Smile

cazz62 · 01/07/2018 22:51

Hi does anyone have a Lindam stair gate like the one attached. It is called Easy Fit Premium Close. I don"t seem to be able to lock it. There is a gap between the gate and the frame. Thanks

To think 1 year old twins are bloody impossible?
To think 1 year old twins are bloody impossible?
OleWomanInAShoe · 02/07/2018 03:59

I think having an older child I knew exactly what to expect and I was prepared. I found my triplets kind of worked together so I quickly learnt to baby proof EVERYTHING. it just makes life easier and is essential when you have more than one. Anchor ALL your furniture if it isn't already, magnet locks are helpful, dog gates instead of the usual baby gates. For when they start climbing out of their cots and are ready for toddler beds, a two way video monitor.
Routine definitely helps keep them somewhat manageable and baby reins are a must for later on.
Expect some fuckery and you won't be caught off guard 😁

OleWomanInAShoe · 02/07/2018 04:03

Cazz the screws that sit on the wall/bannisters haven't been extended enough or you may need to pack the fix point off with a baton of wood.

Candyflip · 02/07/2018 04:05

Oh you unlucky-lucky bastard! I do feel for you, but two babies!!! ❤️ It will pass.

Candyflip · 02/07/2018 04:15

Just got concerned that you would think I was being flippant. I do sympathise. I am just always very very in awe of mums of multiples! You rock, and twins are amaaaaazing! (And little buggers)