Dad's Guide to Twins Podcast

That double stroller has been your best friend for two years. But now your twins are getting bigger, more independent, and honestly, wrestling two squirming toddlers into that beast for a quick Target run feels harder than just letting them walk. Except walking means you've got two little people who can dart in opposite directions while you're standing there with exactly two hands. I've been there with my twin girls. That transition from strapped-in-the-stroller to walking-beside-me-in-the-parking-lot was genuinely terrifying at first. But here's what I learned: most twins between 18 months and 3 years can master staying close through consistent verbal cues and clear boundaries. It takes patience and plenty of practice runs, but it absolutely works.

The transition from two naps to one is honestly one of the trickier phases of twin parenting. I remember when my girls hit this stage around 16 months, and suddenly our predictable rhythm fell apart for a few weeks. One twin was ready, the other wasn't, and we found ourselves managing different schedules while also trying to keep everyone from melting down by 4 p.m. Here's what I learned from our experience and what actually works when your twins are making this shift.

Let's be honest: even if you think you have an excellent memory, the combination of sleep deprivation and caring for two babies will quickly prove you wrong. Those early weeks with twins at home create a perfect storm of exhaustion that makes even the simplest details slip away. Here's the reality: you're responsible for keeping two little humans alive and thriving, but your brain feels like it's running on fumes. That's where logging becomes your lifeline.

With twins in the house a big point of contention will be sharing. You might think that the easy way for you as the parent would be to get two of everything. However, this surely won’t work all the time and definitely doesn’t build character. And as we all know, your job as a dad, of course, is to “build character.” Right? This was often the case in our home where one girl always wanted what the other had even if there were two identical items. So you have to solve the root problem to get a peaceful and happy home: teach your twins how to share from a very early age.

One of the challenges with twins is that they get sick. Sickness doesn’t always strike both twins simultaneously. Your twins will catch a cold, get the flu, have a stomach bug, or come down with any number of other contagious illnesses. This brings up the question: how do you keep one twin healthy when the other is sick?

We’ve got identical girls and often rely on their mannerisms and personalities to tell them apart. If you rely on this too, or hope to, be careful: twins switch personality traits at will. For example, one of our girls will be shy one week while the other is a social butterfly. Just when you think that is the pattern, they switch and the social standout now cries hysterically with strangers. Go figure.

Having two newborns simultaneously can feel overwhelming, but establishing a predictable schedule is your secret weapon for maintaining sanity and helping your twin babies thrive. Think of your twins as having a completely blank calendar when they arrive and it’s up to you to fill it with the structure they need for healthy development.

Taking care of one child is already going to require a lot of sacrifice on your end, but having twins is automatically going to double your efforts and your financial needs. You can save a lot of money if you know where to shop and what you can get for free (or at least with a discount). There are actually a lot of stores out there that offer discounts and a lot of free stuff for twins if you follow their shopping promos and keep an eye on store offers. While many programs aren’t specifically for twins, every little bit helps. See which of the following could help find free stuff for twins.

Once you find out that you are expecting twins, your mind races with tons of concerns and questions. Whether you’ve had children already or not, a twin pregnancy brings new unknowns that frankly can be overwhelming. It’s time to talk with your doctor.

Today we continue our father of twins interview series with Stephen Dause, father of twin girls. Listen as we explore his twin parenting journey, including:

Hey Dads, it's completely normal to need support during the twin pregnancy. Yes, support for you. During a twin pregnancy, the physical and emotional spotlight is naturally on your partner, but your role, your mental health, and your emotional well-being matter deeply. Here are some ideas on how to maintain your mental and emotional footing during this intense time.

When I found out we were having twins, on of my first thoughts after the initial shock wore off was: "Where are we going to put all their stuff?" Our modest three-bedroom home suddenly felt tiny. But after some creative planning and real-world experience, I discovered you don't need two of everything or a mansion to raise happy, healthy twins. Here's how to prepare your home without drowning in baby gear.

Fathers expecting twins often have specific concerns that tend to be exaggerated or misguided. You just don't know what you're getting yourself into and that leads to some irrational fears. I know, I've been there. Here are some of the most common fears that you don't need to stress out about.

As a father of twins who's done countless grocery runs, I'm going to share what actually works when you need to brave the supermarket alone with your infant twins. This isn't theoretical advice—these are battle-tested strategies that have saved my sanity during that challenging first year (and beyond) with twins.

As a father of twins, you've probably heard it all: "Shouldn't they be walking by now?" or "My son was talking in full sentences at this age!" These well-meaning comments from friends and family comparing your twins to singleton milestones can be frustrating and sometimes even worrying. Let me share some perspective and practical advice on how to handle these situations with confidence.

As a father of twins who has weathered countless "double emergencies," I'm here to tell you that yes, you will survive those moments when both babies need you desperately at the exact same time. Whether it's one spitting up while the other has a diaper explosion, or both wailing for different urgent reasons, these situations are inevitable with twins. Here's my battle-tested approach to handling these high-stress moments.

The urge to compare twins is one of the most natural yet challenging aspects of parenting multiples. Each of your twins is a unique individual so let's discuss some practical ideas to avoid comparisons and celebrate each child's unique journey.

What do you do when one of your twins wants all the attention and gets upset when anyone is showing affection to their twin? We found this particularly troublesome with toddler twins. For toddler twins, you'll need to adapt your strategies to match their developmental stage. Toddlers are still learning to regulate their emotions, communicate effectively, and understand social dynamics like sharing attention. Here’s how you could help your young twins.

Today we continue our father of twins interview series with Aaron Ameen, father of identical boys. Listen as we explore his twin parenting journey, including:

Let's take a look at the 2024 JPMA Innovation Awards Winners and see if they would be a good fit for your twin family.