What do you do with your twins?

I think my girls are starting to get a little bored. I'm not sure though because some days are better than others (of course). DH and I share one car and lately he has been working 12 hour days, so this means the girls and I don't get to leave our neighborhood, which is fine because we live within walking distance of the grocery store and other local businesses. I try to take them out for walks, but it doesn't last long because it's scorching hot here (we live in Florida). Also, I try to take them to the park to go on the swings, but they just want to run around. I've talked with DH and my MIL and they both agree that letting them run around the park freely is a huge task because one person can't possibly chase two toddlers around who are both going in different directions. It makes me a bit uneasy and they are still a little wobbly when it comes to walking so we tend to stay inside most days (because of the heat and lack of help). DH and I were saying "how do moms of 3, 4 5, kids do this?" We have a small patio with a baby pool, but they don't like to sit out their long either before they are bored. We don't really have money for Gymboree classes and again, where's my help? lol They learn a lot while at home. I feel like a teacher because that's all I'm doing all day long. It's great, but I wish we had more options. MIL can only take the girls once a week because she lives an hour away and has her own life to attend to. I don't have any other help besides her. What do you moms do with your twins?

 

I know you said that you don't have access to a car most days, but if you do have a way to get somewhere -- My local library has Storytime for toddlers and while everyone else is sitting nicely with each baby on one lap, mine are usually running around, but at least it's an enclosed inside space. We go to the library at other times, too. My nearby mall also has a kid play around that only has one exit, which is useful. I've also been known to go to my local Barnes&Nobles and letting them roam around the children's section, just sort of chasing them each and bringing them back over and over. It's tiring but at least it's not the same old home playroom. Oh, and be prepared to buy a book or two that they chew on before you can catch them.

 

i really don't know how moms of more than twins do it either b/c now that ours are walking i worry about managing them out in open area too! but here are some things i do - which you may do too...
first - remember you don't need to entertain them all the time. play on their own is very good for them and they learn a lot during that time too - how to figure things out, independence etc...

i live in TX so i can relate to the heat! we spend some time outside when i get home with them and it usually lasts about 45 to 1 hour. we have a play pool too and i put bowls in it, spoons, balls and other random 'things' that are good to play in water with. They get in and out of the pool and go look at all the other things outside in the area like: the cat, the flowers, the dirt, the cracks in the sidewalk etc. i usually call them back over to the pool after a bit, but usually they are good about staying in the area b/c there is so much different stuff than what they usually see inside. i also have Bubbles - very cheap - to blow. i also have a Water \ Sand Table - they are cheap on craigslist if you look around... they stand at it and play with toys in it as well. so far this has been great for our outside time. we also have the tricycles where you can push them around with the long handles - i can push both of them when i am alone with them.

inside: we have tons of books and my two love to look at pictures and make sounds of the animals etc. half price books is a great place to get cheap ones or even use old magazines (they can destroy those and it is okay!) we've tried using big crayons but they still want to eat them - you might have luck with that. OR just use water\food coloring and a paint brush on paper... they love going thru the kitchen cabinets so i have one drawer i have just for them they can open and pull things out of. just find other objects in your pantry - can food, etc that they can't hurt or hurt themselves with and let them explore it. use things to compare size, color etc...

mostly i just follow their cues right now and try to throw in some 'teaching' moments about different things along the way... good luck! i bet you are just more 'bored' than they really are

 

oh and one more outside water thing... use the water hose with or without a spray nozzle! mine love it and giggle so much when i squirt them and then quickly the water is gone! and then squirt them again and again...

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far. We don't have a library or barnes and noble near us, but we do a lot of story telling inside. We were thinking about buying them one of those water tables, but money is tight so we have to wait a bit. Also, since they are a bit wobbly they tend to crawl on the ground and get all 'banged' up. The only time we can get outside before it's too hot is in the morning. after that they just won't play out there for too long. we went to the zoo the other day and it was 97 degrees. We were there for maybe an hour before they were so cranky from the heat. Ive never seen babies sweat before!

 

I have a bit of an opposite problem as I live in Scotland so until summer is in full swing it's sometimes too cold to take them outside (or more than likely, raining). This may not be much help, but as a "filler" (filling some time) which I do if I can't take them outside due to the weather, is that I take the seat cushion and back cushion off one of the living room chairs, put the cushions on the floor in front of the chair and let the boys crawl up on the chair and bounce around and then "jump" (holding their hands) off the seat onto one of pillows on the floor. It gives them a bit of exercise and wears them out pre-nap. Lots of tickling involved as well.

And okay, I do admit to turning on the TV to keep them occupied. Non-commercial TV from the BBC, but it does give me a break and gives them some entertainment.

 

I usually don't let them play on the sofa, but I think I'm going to start! It does make them pretty tired, so I think I'll start Monday. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

I live in Spain and in a flat on the top floor so no garden. I could take them out in the buggy but, like you, am reluctant to take them out of that as they run in different directions. One mum recommended these reins and Im going to buy them: http://www.amazon.com/Littlelife-Animal-Toddler-Daypack-Turtle/dp/B000PBVT1S/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1273573677&sr=8-10

Luckily our flat is quite big so I play hide & seek with my two (I run off but stay within eyesight and they see where I hide) and they come tearing after me and it is a lot of fun. Also, they love to bounce on the spare bed we have downstairs. I wanted to buy them this: http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Recreation-Jump-O-Lene-Transparent-Bounce/dp/B002AJ8S9O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top but am not sure where to put it!!! BTW; the trampoline is for 0-3 yr olds.

We also play ball (with soft balls!) and they have their toys too. The latest fad is emptying their toy box and filling it back up again. They´ve discovered some forgotten toys that have kept them busy. We also do colouring and singing songs. Like Silver, I also use the TV - the BBC has some great programmes that they love to dance along to. I dont leave it on all morning though. ´In The Night Garden´ is a huge favourite and a great show for winding down before their nap. Mine also love books but cant sit still long enough for a story!!

If you have a garden, I recommend you getting a paddling pool which has a sun cover (or you can put a parasol up) - they will spend hours in that! My LOs had a blast last year at my parents´ house in the UK. DS was in the paddling pool for an hour!!!! Great way to get clean and wear themselves out! Also saves the evening bath too!

Hope Ive helped!