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Jan 2010
I've been asked often: how do we find a way to spend individual time with each twin when we know it's so important? I know that the realities of life -- the chaos of school, work, playdates, doctors appointments, errands, family events, neighborhood events, religious commitments, etc -- make it a genuine challenge to carve out separate time with twins. But since I feel so strongly (now that I have the benefit of hindsight) that each twin needs separate memories with parents, I suggest small rituals that can become routine. For example:
1. Take one twin to breakfast one morning a week -- even if it's just a muffin at a diner. Take the other twin to get a weekly hot cocoa (maybe you keep a survey of the best cocoa in town) or the best milkshake (depending on the season).
2. Have movie night once a month where you take one twin to a movie by him or herself or watch one at home-- just you, your spouse, and one twin. Alternate months for each twin, or ideally, come up with another monthly date for the other twin.
CRUCIAL NOTE: YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE THE RITUALS OR EXCURSIONS THE SAME, AND IN FACT, THAT CAN DEFEAT THE PURPOSE, BECAUSE THEN THE RITUALS AREN'T UNIQUE ANY MORE, WHICH IS THE WHOLE POINT OF SEPARATE TIME. IS THERE A DANGER OF THE TWINS COMPARING OUTINGS OR TRADITIONS? YES, BUT THAT'S NOT SUCH A TERRIBLE THING, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY'LL REMEMBER IN THE END.
3. Decide to have a "book group" with just one twin -- so that you read the same book and discuss it in a kind of special, scheduled meeting over some treat. (As you can see, I encourage food rituals!)
4. Have a cooking or baking date once a month, or once every two weeks, when you choose a recipe to make together for the rest of the family.
5. Maybe have a weekly game of catch with one twin, or a weekly game of ping pong with the other.
The overall idea is to make some togetherness about just you and your twin (with or without your spouse.) Obviously it's nice to try to tie the ritual to something your twin enjoys (and part of this discipline is that it will make you pay a little more attention to who each twin is --alone.) The key is simply this: a little time together--on a regular basis-- without the twosome. It's not the norm -- and it needn't be -- but a little singularity goes a long way to individuality, not to mention a more solid friendship with a twin's folks. I welcome all questions about twins so please drop me a note: apogrebin@gmail.com.
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