Why do twin parents pay double but get no extra help?

[Twinmama11]

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately… having twins means buying everything x2, but there’s not really any extra support or discounts out there.

It kind of feels like we’re just expected to manage it?

Does anyone else feel like this or is it just me?

We had 1 and then had twins 16 months later and I largely agree that the most expensive costs for us that didn't also apply to our 1 year old were car seats and in our case, formula.

NOT ALL but the majority of twins are born because of IVF. It is a choice to have 2 embryos implanted.

A quick google states that that’s incorrect, most twins aren’t from IVF

is it really any different than just having 2 children?

In Scotland you get two baby boxes (well, almost - they don't double up on things you only need one of, like the thermometer).

In some ways twins could be a saving - you only have to fund one maternity leave for two children!

But generally yes, twins are more expensive. One of those things we should all factor into affordability calculations when choosing to have children.

I don't have twins but I've always thought parents of twins should get double the parental leave! Could share it with your partner and both be off together, then each baby gets an adult's undivided attention for the first year of life. Raising two babies at the same time single handedly must be so tough!

I assume you get the child benefit per child as you would with children of different ages.

I don't think twins should get a default discount on other items though, though I appreciate it must be expensive to have to buy two high chairs and two rearward car seats, then two forward facing car seats and then two high back boosters because you can hand them down from an older sibling to a young one. And while I'm sure they can share a wardrobe you'd still need roughly double the clothes a single baby would need!

At least you'll be able to pass on the clothes straight away once they've been outgrown and not have to save them for years in your loft for younger siblings (if you don't plan on having any more kids after your twins!).

My boy/girl twins had different sets of friends, separate parties from school age, and they couldn't share clothes as DD loved dresses and frilly knickers which DS would wear sometimes but that's a whole other story!
But buying two cots, two car seats, baby bouncers etc...

And as for sharing toys - ha ha! Could you please explain that concept to my twins?

Only 6.6% of twins are the result of IVF. Took seconds to google that.

Only about 10-20% twins are due to IVF, most as naturally occurring. And only about 5% of IVF births are multiples.

my point still remains. No need to pile on, it’s my opinion … which is what this thread is about

It’s tough for anyone raising 2 baby’s on maternity leave single handed if you’ve got another child that’s not school age. Younger siblings don’t often get a parents undivided attention for the first year. It’s a lovely idea but it doesn’t make much sense.

Me and you discussing with each is not a pile on. I’m not responsible for how many people disagree with you.

Yesh - single childfree people who mostly have one income are just expected to "manage" in a corrupt system which assumes couples and a dual income. We get a measly 25% off council tax. However we are still overtly subsidising people who choose to have children who gobble up resources but contribute nothing until they are adults. 20% of my CT bill is for childrens services - something I do now want and cannot use - and I resent every penny,

You chose to have those children. Why should you get extra?

I’m single and don’t get half price council tax. I don’t expect to. Surely you get 2 x child benefit, just as everyone else with 2 children does?

My twins are only 2 but so far it isn't going very well with sharing either. 😂

Empathy? Does Op have empathy for those strangers that would be expected to subsidise her saving by increased cost of goods? Someone has to pay for this. Why should others and not op?

🎻

Extra would be if they were paying a bigger amount for each twin but they don't.

I have 2 kids two years apart surely the cost is exactly the same as you overall. I couldn’t really share many clothes as I had different sexes…

Same as anyone with 2 children very close in age then really

It is completely different I think.

I think there should be the option of taking two lots of maternity leave. Childcare for two must be so expensive.

Dont think it makes a difference, I had two kids born almost exactly a year apart, (3 days difference) it’s no different to that, they are boy and girl so never shared clothes or had the same toys etc. thats life.

Why can't people pay for their own children??? What has it got to do with the state??

Child benefit is good enough now.

We are no longer a successful country and can't afford endless excuses for more handouts. Each year that goes by our economy is being overtaken by others, our jobs outsourced and our manufacturing costs undermined. The era of 'great' Britain with free uni education etc is long gone... And not coming back.

So you had twins. So what???

Problems in life? Not mine or any other taxpayers.

The OP didn't say she didn't want to pay for her children. How much do you take from the government? Sometimes I think these posts are just full of envy for things they never got like funded childcare etc.

Likely to have different interests, abilities etc. Also could be girl-boy twins and they probably wouldn't want to share a room at 18!
As an aside - my brother and I are nearly 2 years apart but 1 school year, we went to same uni at sane time after 1 if us delayed by a year. My parents suggested we share a flat to cut costs - that was a hard no from both of us!