Twins in School–On-Line Resources

This is a great blog post by Lit for Kids. The blog's mission is "making reading fun for parents, teachers and kids!" With this blog post, they took a detour and provided interesting resources for parents of multiples.

Twins in School–On-Line Resources

Ask The Dad parenting advice column: Don't rush to separate twins

Ask The Dad parenting advice column: Don't rush to separate twins

Question

What do I do if my twins panic when they’re separated? The 4-year-olds just started day care, and the teacher puts them in separate rooms. Then they cry and scream until reunited. The teacher tries this every day. Is such separation necessary, and how do I make them comfortable away from each other?

Read his response

Across the Big Pond...

Just as the Twins Law campaigns are gaining steam in various parts of the United States, the issue crossed "the Big Pond." The Guardian today has an online article called Twin Set.

It's interesting to note that the issue parents of multiples face in the U.K. are the same ones we face here. Truly, we are all in this together.

There's Always One...

Okay, I have one funny story from the IOMOTC convention that I need to share. My co-chair, Dan Bailey, was sitting at the table talking to someone about placement of multiples in school. A woman walked by and loudly said, "I want them to be separated." She didn't stop to talk. She just said it as she walked by.

This made me think that perhaps some people still don't get what we're trying to do. We don't want to keep your children together, nor do we want to separate them. We want to make sure it is your choice.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to tell her that. Maybe next time she'll stop to talk and find out what we're really doing.

Wonderful Illinois Organization Of Mother Of Twins Clubs Convention

We had a great time at the Illinois Organization Of Mother Of Twins Clubs. It was wonderful to speak with everyone and hear the stories. Some parents are in great school districts. One Mom told me her school district proactively called her to talk about placement for her multiples. Can you imagine?

Other Moms told us horror stories about their struggles to work with the school district.

Interestingly, we received words of encouragement from both types of Moms. Everyone wants to work together to make sure parents are the key deciders in the placement of multiples in schools.

It was great to sit and chat with so many others who completely understand the joys and challenges of raising multiples.

Thank you for making us part of your event.

Playing Favorites

These kinds of stories make me crazy.  I heard from a Mom who worked tirelessly with the school administrators to keep her twins together in first grade.  She had meeting after meeting after meeting.  She presented research, letters from experts, etc.

Today she learned the PTA president's twins were kept together in first grade just because the PTA president asked for it.

Yes, I realize that people with connections get what they want.  I'm not new to how the system works.

I just think it's completely unfair and needs to be changed.

This is the kind of story that keeps me working on the Twins Law initiative.

Kudos to District 68 for Working with Parents of Multiples

Here is another Mom's story. Kudos to District 68 for including parents in the decision. This is a model of what we wish for every school district in Illinois.

I live in Woodridge, District 68 schools. Here it is up to the parents to decide what to do, but the school recommends splitting them. My boys started 3 year old preschool last year and we split them because it was clear to us that is what was best. One guy is the leader and the other guy sort of a follower and was a little behind in speech and other things due to a heart defect which was then repaired but the recovery caused delays in development. We knew he needed to be in a different class so he could grow without his twin around. the boys had no issues being split and are best friends at home.

I'm sure for other parents the decision is much more difficult. Although in some cases I think some parents just want it easier - one teacher, one set of rules, homework, etc. I often wonder how I will do Curriculum Night when my twins start Kindergarten and my oldest is in 4th grade. One hour, three teachers. But in my case, I have helped in the classrooms for my oldest son, PTO board, and have gotten to know the teachers so I don't think it will be too difficult to manage three kids, three classes. Parents of multiple singletons do it so I can do.

We plan to keep them split unless they specifically tell us they want to be together and then we'll discuss it. We might not have a choice in Kindergarten because if there aren't enough kids to make two AM or PM classes, they'll be in the same class. But after that, they are split again. That has been our experience so far.