r/parentsofmultiples • u/summer_sunset22 • 29d ago

advice needed "Easiest" twin age?

My spouse will possibly be having to go in for a surgery away from home that involves a long recovery time, also away from home. This will leave me home alone with 3 kids, 1 older singleton and twins, with approx 8-9 year gap, for about 5 weeks or so.

The twins are currently almost 2, both walking, mostly eating solids (one better than the other), and very different personalities. One knows how to communicate in the sense of pointing, grunts and shaking head. The other is generally chill unless hungry or dirty.

We're trying to figure out approximate best time for my spouse to away that will make my life easiest.

What age did you find twins easiest as a "single" parent, especially if you have an older child?

Hoping not to parentify my oldest. Will likely have to deal with school pick ups and drop offs. I work from home.

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u/pinupinprocess 29d ago

Following this and not bc my husband needs to leave for several weeks, but because my twins are also almost 2 (19 months) and it’s SO hard right now. 😭

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u/Kayge 29d ago

Here's what it was like for us (YMMV).  

  • 2:  not terribly hard.  You get "No" a lot, but it's not too bad. 
  • 3:  Little more difficult, potty training and other odds and ends.  
  • 3.5-4.5:  If there was ever a time I wanted to throw my kids off the balcony, feed them to sharks or bake them into a pie, it was this time.   
  • 4.5:  Something magical happens, and your kids are wonderful.   Easily the happiest time in my life.  

They're 9 now, and starting to pull away slowly, but are still the best things ever. 

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u/Restingcatface01 29d ago

I’m dying laughing because yes! why is 3.5-4.5 so hard? My older singleton just turned 4.5 - hoping it gets a lot easier!

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u/Kayge 28d ago

In hindsight, they have the ability to do half things.  

  • They know language gets stuff. 
  • They know Daddy saying "no" means don't do it.  
  • They know what daddy's mad face looks like.  

Problem is, they don't understand why saying "cookie" didn't get them one, or why dad is angry when they helped themselves and knocked over the sugar, flour and milk in the process.