Advice for coping with challenging behaviour from five-year-old twin boys

[twinmumchaos]

I have twin boys, age 5. Their behaviour (only for me) feels out of control - they’re “good as gold” for everyone else and at school but for me they really play me up. It’s just me and them and has been since they were less that a week old. Their dad does see them but not a lot.

behaviours include back chatting, rude talk, screaming, shouting, throwing things, demanding, literally all the behaviours of kids pushing boundaries which I appreciate is normal but with it being the 2 of them it makes it all the more difficult and only 1 of me so I’m very much struggling.

can anyone give me and twin mum advice on how I can cope with this? I’ve tried all the usual tactics - reward charts for good behaviour, confiscating toys for bad behaviour, etc but nothing is working.

they are also extremely silly (i know they’re only 5) but laughing at each other being silly - encouraging it. They also can sometimes be rude to adults calling them poo head or mr nobody.

please if anyone has any advice I would so appreciate it!!

I don’t have twins, but I have a 5 year old who is driving me to distraction at present. He and his younger brother are either best friends or arch enemies and I am honestly ready for losing it with them!
hoping for some tips lol x

I just wanted to offer you some twin parent support. Mine are now much, much older but I remember feeling much the same as you. I had two older children and the twins egging each other on in their naughtiness and silliness was something I had never had to manage before.
I can only offer perspective and say that it will pass and get better. And don’t be too hard on yourself, twin parenting is different and you may have different strategies than a singleton parent.
Good luck xxxx

I have twins the same age and also a lone mum! I completely understand the feeling of being ganged up on and outnumbered (also have an older child). I don’t have the magic answer because honestly all 3 of mine do this - I try and tell myself it’s because I’m their safe space so they feel comfortable to push boundaries with me (and hopefully that will make me feel less of a bad parent!). Divide and conquer too if you can. And follow through with every and all tellings off!