Raising Twins Book

They may be identical, but they're not interchangeable--that's just one of the many things twins want you to know. Understanding the developmental differences between twins and singletons--and indeed between twin siblings themselves--not only helps parents of multiples, it also helps teachers, coaches, and pediatricians become more sensitive in relating to these special duos, whose occurrence is on the rise. In Raising Twins, coauthors Eileen M. Pearlman, Ph.D. (herself an identical twin) and Jill Alison Ganon present a guidebook that studies the unique development of multiples from toddlerhood through young adulthood, paying close attention to the special challenges twins face. The first quarter of the book contrasts the cognitive, emotional, and physical development of multiples against that of singletons, touching on topics like speech, socializing, peer pressure, and the journey toward independence. Parental testimonials and an intriguing chapter about twin myths from around the world are followed by a hodgepodge chapter called "Getting Down to Business." Here the authors neatly explain the practical differences between handling twins and singletons, tossing in tips on safety, toilet habits, travel, and play dates. The authors' advice often comes straight from parents who've been there as well as the subjects themselves, who address topics like sharing, fighting, and jealousy, as well as the quite comical "Things that people shouldn't say or ask us." With its clear, intelligent content and bite-sized topic coverage, Raising Twins makes an excellent resource for any adult involved in this happy task. --Liane Thomas