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Multiples Illuminated: Life with Twins and Triplets, the Toddler to Tween Years
Multiples Illuminated: Life with Twins and Triplets, the Toddler to Tween Years will give you a glimpse into the amazing lives of families with multiples between the age of two to 12. Told from the perspective of 21 parents from all walks of life and at different stages of parenting, you will find yourself feeling less alone on this incredible journey parenting multiples.
In this book, you will read fun and enlightening stories about:
• Encouraging individuality in multiples
• The dynamic relationship between multiples
• The complicated and often delicate relationship between multiples and their siblings
• What it’s like when twins and triplets start school
Multiples is a fascination, not just to those who have twins, triplets, or more, or who is a twin or triplet themselves. Multiples elicit a “wow” response, whether it be, “Wow, they are twins/triplets?”, or “Wow, you have your hands full!”.
The celebrity news dominating headlines earlier this year are stories and pictures of Beyoncé and George and Amal Clooney, pregnant with twins, along with Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh who recently welcomed triplets into their family. One of the most popular television shows, This is Us revolve around multiples.
No one, however, is more fascinated or enamored with multiples, than parents and family members of twins, triplets, or more. Whether you are an experienced parent or a new one, there is nothing quite like it. Everything changes. From logistics of travel to the complexities of tending to the needs and feelings of children at the same developmental age, no one day is the same as the other. Our experiences are different from those raising singletons.
Another popular response to multiples is the concept of Irish Twins, pushed to you by those who have children close in age, or know people who do. “It’s the same thing!”
It’s hardly the same thing. The discussion arises when opposite ends of this spectrum meet. It must be more difficult with multiples, because oh my goodness, three babies crying all at once! Some mothers of multiples will tell you that it’s actually more challenging to have children close in age – to be pregnant and caring for a baby or toddler, is no mean feat.
These wow responses, and discussions about multiples and their families are some of the topics you’ll find in this book. We want to lift the veil off the many mysteries and wonders of raising multiples, not just for families with multiples, but for those who are fascinated by it.
Multiples Illuminated: Life with Twins and Triplets, The Toddler to Tween Years offers readers a special look into the lives of parents raising multiples from two to 12 years old.
There is nothing quite like this second book in the Multiples Illuminated series. You will read poems, take a hilarious multiples-choice quiz, and experience the joys and challenges of raising multiples through the 21 beautifully written stories. We promise that your experience parenting multiples will be more enriched after reading this anthology.
With the Multiples Illuminated books and its accompanying website filled with stories and advice from parents who have been there, we aim to create a welcoming and safe space for families of multiples who are faced with the reality that raising twins, triplets, and more, brings unique experiences in comparison to raising singletons. Our community welcomes everyone who want to know more about multiples.
In this book, you will read fun and enlightening stories about:
• Encouraging individuality in multiples
• The dynamic relationship between multiples
• The complicated and often delicate relationship between multiples and their siblings
• What it’s like when twins and triplets start school
Multiples is a fascination, not just to those who have twins, triplets, or more, or who is a twin or triplet themselves. Multiples elicit a “wow” response, whether it be, “Wow, they are twins/triplets?”, or “Wow, you have your hands full!”.
The celebrity news dominating headlines earlier this year are stories and pictures of Beyoncé and George and Amal Clooney, pregnant with twins, along with Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh who recently welcomed triplets into their family. One of the most popular television shows, This is Us revolve around multiples.
No one, however, is more fascinated or enamored with multiples, than parents and family members of twins, triplets, or more. Whether you are an experienced parent or a new one, there is nothing quite like it. Everything changes. From logistics of travel to the complexities of tending to the needs and feelings of children at the same developmental age, no one day is the same as the other. Our experiences are different from those raising singletons.
Another popular response to multiples is the concept of Irish Twins, pushed to you by those who have children close in age, or know people who do. “It’s the same thing!”
It’s hardly the same thing. The discussion arises when opposite ends of this spectrum meet. It must be more difficult with multiples, because oh my goodness, three babies crying all at once! Some mothers of multiples will tell you that it’s actually more challenging to have children close in age – to be pregnant and caring for a baby or toddler, is no mean feat.
These wow responses, and discussions about multiples and their families are some of the topics you’ll find in this book. We want to lift the veil off the many mysteries and wonders of raising multiples, not just for families with multiples, but for those who are fascinated by it.
Multiples Illuminated: Life with Twins and Triplets, The Toddler to Tween Years offers readers a special look into the lives of parents raising multiples from two to 12 years old.
There is nothing quite like this second book in the Multiples Illuminated series. You will read poems, take a hilarious multiples-choice quiz, and experience the joys and challenges of raising multiples through the 21 beautifully written stories. We promise that your experience parenting multiples will be more enriched after reading this anthology.
With the Multiples Illuminated books and its accompanying website filled with stories and advice from parents who have been there, we aim to create a welcoming and safe space for families of multiples who are faced with the reality that raising twins, triplets, and more, brings unique experiences in comparison to raising singletons. Our community welcomes everyone who want to know more about multiples.
- GenresParenting
168 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2017
11 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 23, 2016
You don't need to only be a parent of multiples to enjoy these well written stories. Some are funny, some sad, but all are thoughtful, enjoyable and thought provoking on some level. I highly recommend it!
April 4, 2016
A must-read book for all parents, not just parents of multiples. Full of beautiful stories, chockful of practical advice and tips, there is something for everyone.
March 31, 2016
I'm generally not a fan of anthologies or short stories because it's hard for me to get involved enough before the next author comes along and changes the story. But I liked this one. I was surprised, too, because I'm not a mom of twins.
I think I liked it because the writing was all stellar, the editing was flawless, and the content flowed smoothly from one section to another. There were some entries that had me giggling the entire way through, and there were a few jaw-dropping stories. I think it's not just the parents of multiples - or who are expecting multiples - who will enjoy this book (which I'm positive they will!), and not just young couples hoping for multiples (which can happen until you have had only one and realise how much work it is) - I think any parent will like reading this book. It's a definite recommend!
I think I liked it because the writing was all stellar, the editing was flawless, and the content flowed smoothly from one section to another. There were some entries that had me giggling the entire way through, and there were a few jaw-dropping stories. I think it's not just the parents of multiples - or who are expecting multiples - who will enjoy this book (which I'm positive they will!), and not just young couples hoping for multiples (which can happen until you have had only one and realise how much work it is) - I think any parent will like reading this book. It's a definite recommend!
April 8, 2016
Fantastic resource for parents of multiples. With tips, advice, and personal anecdotes from other parents it's the perfect gift for new parents of twins, triplets , or more:)!
April 11, 2016
Advice comes fast and furious in this cool read (even for a non-twin or triplet mama), starting with the foreword from Susan Pinsky (triplet Mom and wife to Dr. Drew). “The important thing with multiples is to help them excel in what interests them individually. This is the part that’s hardwired and where genetics come into play. All three of my children had the same lessons and activities during their childhoods, yet they have wildly divergent interests as adults."
Other favorite snippets?
“Learn how to use your feet as a second set of hands.” -Briton Underwood
“A fooler baby patiently waits to be given their bottle, and smiles sweetly through the foulest of diaper changes. In short, a fooler baby fools you into wanting additional babies. It is when those additional babies arrive—screaming bloody murder at unknown causes at all hours of the night—that you realize you have indeed been duped by your firstborn child.” -Kirsten Gant
(And then the follow-up, where Gant informed her husband that they were really, truly, expecting triplet babies.)
“Well okay,” he said, “let’s have triplets.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. No question is stupid or unnecessary.” -Alison Lee, on being your babies' NICU advocate.
And perhaps my favorite:
“There is no passing off the crying baby when they are both the crying baby.” -Melanie Sweeney
Best yet, Multiples Illuminated is crafted in such a way to be a wonderful, sustaining read in either long, indulgent sessions or short, half-hallucinatory bursts of help. Because let's be honest: if you, too, are a card-carrying member of this mega-cool multiples club...
...then you're probably a tad busy.
Other favorite snippets?
“Learn how to use your feet as a second set of hands.” -Briton Underwood
“A fooler baby patiently waits to be given their bottle, and smiles sweetly through the foulest of diaper changes. In short, a fooler baby fools you into wanting additional babies. It is when those additional babies arrive—screaming bloody murder at unknown causes at all hours of the night—that you realize you have indeed been duped by your firstborn child.” -Kirsten Gant
(And then the follow-up, where Gant informed her husband that they were really, truly, expecting triplet babies.)
“Well okay,” he said, “let’s have triplets.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. No question is stupid or unnecessary.” -Alison Lee, on being your babies' NICU advocate.
And perhaps my favorite:
“There is no passing off the crying baby when they are both the crying baby.” -Melanie Sweeney
Best yet, Multiples Illuminated is crafted in such a way to be a wonderful, sustaining read in either long, indulgent sessions or short, half-hallucinatory bursts of help. Because let's be honest: if you, too, are a card-carrying member of this mega-cool multiples club...
...then you're probably a tad busy.
July 1, 2019
The one thing I found disappointing on this book, is it was a collection of mostly pregnancy and delivery stories. I realize this is a favorite topic to talk about, but in reading this book, I was more looking for stories of different life happenings not just birth. As a mom of twins I wanted more ideas in how to deal with my growing up twins than just birth stories that didn't match our unproblematic pregnancy.
So if your looking for a book with lots of different stories on what can happen, especially for first time moms without other children, this is a great read, but if your like myself and found yourself with twins with much older siblings and were looking for inspiration on how to tackle things you didn't come across with your other children, this is not the book that will help you out. There are a few stories that cover childhood twins, but I don't think there really is much of anything that referred to teenage or older twins.
So if your looking for a book with lots of different stories on what can happen, especially for first time moms without other children, this is a great read, but if your like myself and found yourself with twins with much older siblings and were looking for inspiration on how to tackle things you didn't come across with your other children, this is not the book that will help you out. There are a few stories that cover childhood twins, but I don't think there really is much of anything that referred to teenage or older twins.
May 24, 2016
Multiples Illuminated offers stories about raising multiple children, but the stories between its pages will appeal beyond parents of twins and triplets. Reading practical books about parenting can be intimidating, but reading personal stories is such a fantastic reminder that we are all facing challenges linked together by the universal nature of parenting. The stories do more than shed light on raising multiples; they highlight the similarities and differences parents face, both with humor and with heart wrenching pain and hope. Whether you're welcoming multiples into your own family, have a friend with multiples, or simply enjoy quality storytelling, you should grab a copy of Multiples Illuminated.
April 21, 2016
You know that cozy feeling you get when you’re talking to someone who really gets you? That’s how I felt the entire time I was reading Multiples Illuminated.
As I was reading, I had moments that caused me to laugh aloud, and some that brought a mist to my eyes and a lump to my throat. I found myself on many occasions setting the book aside to reflect on my own experiences as a mother of triplets.
As a person who often turns to the written word for solace, I found Multiples Illuminated to be a soul-feeding book that left me both comforted and validated. It fills a gaping void in the literature available for parents of multiples.
As I was reading, I had moments that caused me to laugh aloud, and some that brought a mist to my eyes and a lump to my throat. I found myself on many occasions setting the book aside to reflect on my own experiences as a mother of triplets.
As a person who often turns to the written word for solace, I found Multiples Illuminated to be a soul-feeding book that left me both comforted and validated. It fills a gaping void in the literature available for parents of multiples.
June 16, 2016
An excellent resource for anyone wanting children, with children, or wanting to understand people with children. It was emotional, thought provoking, amusing, raw, and genuine. Not normally a fan of short stories, but this book of people's real life experiences kept me engaged and wanting to read more. This is a book that I will share with others and I have already created a mental note of people that would benefit from reading it. Thank you!
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway but all opinions expressed are my own.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway but all opinions expressed are my own.
May 24, 2016
I don't have multiples, but I know so much more about them now having read this book, and would absolutely want a copy if I did have multiples. It's full of glimpses into the lives of twins and triplets (and their parents), plus invaluable resources, tips, and recommendations. Plus, it's just a great read. (I got an ARC but these are my own thoughts, of course)
April 17, 2016
As a contributor, I am proud to be a part of this invaluable, charming, hilarious, heart-wrenching, helpful book.
As a parent, it is the book I wish I'd had when I went through pregnancy and those first few chaotic years!
As a parent, it is the book I wish I'd had when I went through pregnancy and those first few chaotic years!
May 27, 2016
Insightful and well-written essays. A great read for mothers of multiples.
March 25, 2022
If you are looking for thoughtful ruminations on the multiples experience, this is not it.
The write are surface level and obvious…stoped 1/3rd through.
The write are surface level and obvious…stoped 1/3rd through.
August 20, 2017
Multiples Illuminated: Life with Twins and Triplets, the Toddler to Tween Years, the second book in a series, is edited by fellow moms of multiples, Megan Woolsey, a mom of four including 9 year old triplets, and Alison Lee, a mom of four including 3 year old twins.
This compilation of 21 colorful anecdotes, honest admissions and helpful tips for multiples aged two to twelve, is a must-read for any multiples parent or parent to be. Each story is the perfect mix of raw, relatable and reassuring. Even the most anxious parents of multiples will feel a sense of relief in knowing that at least one other person out there understands.
At times hilarious and silly, Multiples Illuminated is also poignant and heart-warming, getting to the real deal of this twin stuff, such as the stress it can have on your marriage or partnership, navigating the delicate dynamics of inclusion and individualism as well as the daunting challenge of toilet training two at once. Also delving into such topics as having one twin with special needs or health issues, single parenting multiples and how to handle a world that consistently views twins as one person with two bodies, there is something for every parent of multiples to connect with and appreciate.
I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times and constantly nodding along as each writer's words rang true in my heart. Each story illustrates one of the numerous frustrations and joys of life as a parent of multiples; it is clear the writers dug deep to share these tales in the hope that they will help others – and I believe they will.
This book is a can't-miss for all parents of multiples!
This compilation of 21 colorful anecdotes, honest admissions and helpful tips for multiples aged two to twelve, is a must-read for any multiples parent or parent to be. Each story is the perfect mix of raw, relatable and reassuring. Even the most anxious parents of multiples will feel a sense of relief in knowing that at least one other person out there understands.
At times hilarious and silly, Multiples Illuminated is also poignant and heart-warming, getting to the real deal of this twin stuff, such as the stress it can have on your marriage or partnership, navigating the delicate dynamics of inclusion and individualism as well as the daunting challenge of toilet training two at once. Also delving into such topics as having one twin with special needs or health issues, single parenting multiples and how to handle a world that consistently views twins as one person with two bodies, there is something for every parent of multiples to connect with and appreciate.
I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times and constantly nodding along as each writer's words rang true in my heart. Each story illustrates one of the numerous frustrations and joys of life as a parent of multiples; it is clear the writers dug deep to share these tales in the hope that they will help others – and I believe they will.
This book is a can't-miss for all parents of multiples!
August 31, 2017
I am one of the contributors to this anthology.
Like its older sibling, this book is a collection of stories, poems, and reflective journal prompts to help parents (and grandparents and friends) of multiples know they are part of a larger community, to help them find calm and humor in the chaos that is twins/trips/quads, and to cast a lifeline during those perplexing moments that only other parents of multiples can fathom.
This particular book focuses on the toddler to tween years and is probably one of the only publications of its kind. While there are a few books about being pregnant with multiples and dealing with the first year or two, there are few resources that address what happens once the children enter preschool and beyond, and the issues specific to that. Identity. Individualization. School. Friendship issues. What happens when there is an event — big or small — that affects only one multiple directly (such as illness). Milestones. Craziness. Joy.
It’s a book I’m proud to have a piece in (one that hopefully brings smiles and nods of silly recognition), and it’s a book that is sure to resonate with readers.
Like its older sibling, this book is a collection of stories, poems, and reflective journal prompts to help parents (and grandparents and friends) of multiples know they are part of a larger community, to help them find calm and humor in the chaos that is twins/trips/quads, and to cast a lifeline during those perplexing moments that only other parents of multiples can fathom.
This particular book focuses on the toddler to tween years and is probably one of the only publications of its kind. While there are a few books about being pregnant with multiples and dealing with the first year or two, there are few resources that address what happens once the children enter preschool and beyond, and the issues specific to that. Identity. Individualization. School. Friendship issues. What happens when there is an event — big or small — that affects only one multiple directly (such as illness). Milestones. Craziness. Joy.
It’s a book I’m proud to have a piece in (one that hopefully brings smiles and nods of silly recognition), and it’s a book that is sure to resonate with readers.
August 17, 2017
This book has a place for journaling your experiences as a mom of multiples, advice and tips from other M.o.M.s who have already lived through these ages and stages, and stories of being deep in the trenches of the toddler to tween years with twins, triplets, or more. I'm fairly certain there aren't other "guidebooks" available for these moms of multiples that are getting older, but this is a wealth of information for them.
October 14, 2018
Great stories, wonderful writing!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews