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When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

Original poster

Can't deal with three year old twins

35 replies

thelifeoofme · 24/06/2023 14:11

I'm so stuck now, the boys are three and they're ganging up on me. Throwing toys is funny, climbing on furniture is funny, doesn't matter whether I'm threatening to throw their toys away or shouting at them they're really taking the piss out of me. I'm sick of the content winging and wining from one of them I've had enough I'm at the end of my tether with them. Of course I try to be the model mother and sit and play or whatever but who the hell has time to do that 24/7?! Honestly the devil is in them both and I'm so close to breaking. The naughty step doesn't work, they don't listen at all. I tell them off & they just laugh at me and carry on throwing shit around the house either that or their fighting each other biting, hitting and pushing. There's no discipline there I've tried it all.

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Icecolddrink · 24/06/2023 19:13

No advice from me op because I don’t have twins, but I am friends with a lovely lady who has twin granddaughters and she has said exactly the same as you. She can’t have both together as she has said that they copy and mimic one another’s naughty behaviour. So for example at a theatre trip she was saying her older granddaughter at the same age would have copied the other children and sat down nicely but the twins don’t.

It really is not you Flowers

Original poster
thelifeoofme · 24/06/2023 19:32

ladygindiva · 24/06/2023 19:02

This might be a crazy idea but have you though about putting them in preschool on different days, so you get four mornings a week of just one kid? Take it from me, one kid is a piece of piss compared to twins. Only works if you're a sahm of course.

This is genius!!! Never thought about this at all! I've never separated them though so not sure how that would go down! X

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Original poster
thelifeoofme · 24/06/2023 19:33

Icecolddrink · 24/06/2023 19:13

No advice from me op because I don’t have twins, but I am friends with a lovely lady who has twin granddaughters and she has said exactly the same as you. She can’t have both together as she has said that they copy and mimic one another’s naughty behaviour. So for example at a theatre trip she was saying her older granddaughter at the same age would have copied the other children and sat down nicely but the twins don’t.

It really is not you Flowers

Yes!! This!!!!

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Original poster
thelifeoofme · 24/06/2023 19:34

lifesnotaspectatorsport · 24/06/2023 19:09

I have 3yo twins too. Oh god, I can't imagine trying to manage them solo, that is HARD. I am very lucky that mine are normally full time in infant school although holidays just started...

A few things I do when we're all home plus my elder boy (similar to PP)

  • We go out EVERY day without fail, for several hours so they can burn off energy. No buggy, walking or scooting everywhere. They are far worse when they don't go out at least 3 hours.
  • Refuse to walk? I walk on and they have to catch up. No giving in to requests for carrying at all. Ignore all tantrums.
  • when they're naughty I separate them. Basically they get time out in their room, away from their twin. 3 minutes at a time. They come out, they go straight back in. Try to stay calm (the hard part) as they think it's funny if I get cross. Once they realised this was the rule, I can generally stop the naughtiness with the threat of going to their room (which is ALWAYS carried out if they don't behave).

It will get better when you get them off to nursery. Full-time is full-on. I recommend wine!

Love this! Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
thelifeoofme · 24/06/2023 19:35

lifesnotaspectatorsport · 24/06/2023 19:09

I have 3yo twins too. Oh god, I can't imagine trying to manage them solo, that is HARD. I am very lucky that mine are normally full time in infant school although holidays just started...

A few things I do when we're all home plus my elder boy (similar to PP)

  • We go out EVERY day without fail, for several hours so they can burn off energy. No buggy, walking or scooting everywhere. They are far worse when they don't go out at least 3 hours.
  • Refuse to walk? I walk on and they have to catch up. No giving in to requests for carrying at all. Ignore all tantrums.
  • when they're naughty I separate them. Basically they get time out in their room, away from their twin. 3 minutes at a time. They come out, they go straight back in. Try to stay calm (the hard part) as they think it's funny if I get cross. Once they realised this was the rule, I can generally stop the naughtiness with the threat of going to their room (which is ALWAYS carried out if they don't behave).

It will get better when you get them off to nursery. Full-time is full-on. I recommend wine!

I wish I could do this too but I share a room with them! 😩

OP posts:
lifesnotaspectatorsport · 24/06/2023 20:38

@thelifeoofme I wish I could do this too but I share a room with them! 😩

Aaargh, there's no escape 😮😮

I would definitely try to separate them somehow (do you have a porch? Lol) when they are naughty. Mine for sure wind each other up and egg each other on. It helps defuse the drama.

3isthemagicnumberrr · 24/06/2023 21:32

Sending solidarity. I have 3 year old DTs and a baby. Apart from 2 x afternoons at pre school I have them all all the time.

Mine wind each other up/ beat each other up/ become monsters when they are bored. We NEED to get out the house every morning. We do lots of playdates with twin friends. We do a couple of classes a week. We take bikes to the park. We do ‘activities’ like drawing on the patio with chalk, painting the recycling etc.

SleepingStandingUp · 24/06/2023 23:44

thelifeoofme · 24/06/2023 18:59

They're on 15 hours! So basically 3 hours on a Monday and Tuesday. It's not even long enough to shit in peace Grin

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Is that because it's all year round? You should still get around 11 each a week. Seriously speak to Nursery and check if you can get them in more

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 25/06/2023 14:30

Are you on the housing list for a 2 bedroomed? Have you been given any indication of when you might get one?

Sounds really tough Flowers

2under1Mum · 01/07/2023 08:01

I don’t have twins but i have 2 boys 11 months apart currently ages 2 & 3 and can fully relate to this post. I’m also on my own with them and it is so hard, the constant noise, screaming and crying is unbearable so i totally feel you! I find myself counting the the days till they are in school 💆🏻‍♀️ My eldest goes nursery 3 morning a week and my youngest will be starting in September but i also have the whole 6 weeks to get through with the both of them because nursery will be closed and i am dreading it to be honest.

you’re not alone! If that helps x

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