Twin excluding his brother when friends visit

[CocoK]

I have ID boys who are nearly 5. They get on very well on their own but I have noticed recently that DT1 has started excluding DT2 when they have a friend over to play. I know this is normal but am wondering how others have dealt with it?

Hopeful bump?

I dont have experience with this at all, but it sounds like DT1 is the more dominant / independant twin.

My sister and I, were kind of similar. We had different friends despite us being twins. Me would fight sometimes over toys, but, this was not often. I was the more placid twin, she was out going and sporty. I'd play with dolls she'd be climbing trees.

• Does this happen when one friend is round to play or more? Maybe, inviting more friends to play might ease the exclusion DT2 is experiencing?

My two pennies!

Teki x

Hi there

I also don't have any experience of this yet because my twin girls are only 19 months old. However, I was going to suggest the same as Teki - maybe try inviting over a friend for each twin. Do they have the same friends? Maybe ask the twin who's being left out if there's anyone in particular he'd like round to play?

I must admit I've been wondering how friendships develop with twins...

Thanks for your advice. Yes, they do play quite nicely when we have one particular set of twins over - I think 3 is quite a difficult number for all kids as two tend to gang up on one. We have started doing separate play dates but the logistics are quite tricky... and the one who isn't going to someone's house easily feels left out and sad. However I will persist as they are so different and need to learn what life is like and develop their own relationships.