Ready or Not . . . There We Go!: The REAL Experts' Guide to the Toddler Years with Twins

by Elizabeth Lyons

The DEFINITIVE guide to the toddler years with twins!

"Elizabeth Lyons is the friend you've always dreamed you'd meet when you found out there were twins on the way. Now she's back with a smart and funny guide to surviving on Planet of the Toddlers. Consider it a must-read!"
-Ann Douglas, author of The Mother of All Toddler Books

Elizabeth Lyons and her “multiples” sorority of twin moms come to the rescue again in this hilarious, strategy-filled, tell-it-like-it-is guide to the toddler years with twins.
From managing tantrums times two in Aisle 9 to the need for large quantities of antibacterial hand sanitizer and ketchup to the perils of potty training twins, the approaches contained within Ready or Not . . . There We Go! will keep twin parents two steps ahead of their newly mobile charges. It’s the resource no parent of twin toddlers should be without.
You've survived the sleepless nights, the inconsolable crying (yours and the babies'), the erratic schedules, the ever-growing mountain of laundry, and the cereal dinners night after night. You've washed more bottles and changed more diapers than you ever imagined you would. You've proven yourself. You're perfectly primed to enter Phase The Toddler Years
This cannot-live-without resource explores such topics
✓ Absolute Necessities for Moms of Twin Toddlers
✓ Childproofing for Twin Toddlers
✓ Utensils, Anyone?
✓ Maintaining Your Marriage (a.k.a. Secrets to Not Killing Your Spouse)
✓ Handling Impulsive Behavior
✓ Having Another Baby (Never Say Never!)
Ready or Not...There We Go! keeps parents two steps ahead of their newly mobile charges, arming them with the confidence to dive into the toddler tunnel knowing that they'll exit with their sanity (and everything else) intact.
EDITORIAL REVIEWS "Lyons has an endearing way of combining humor and optimism as she offers girlfriend-to-girlfriend, practical strategies to raising twin toddlers."
-Dr. Susan Warhus, OB/GYN, author of Countdown to Baby
"Twins can present some unique challenges for even the most experienced parents. Lyons' witty and often hysterically funny accounts of life with twin toddlers, combined with her secrets for preserving sanity, reassure parents that they can survive the years with toddler twins."
-Nancy Bowers, RN, BSN, MPH, author of The Multiple Pregnancy Sourcebook
" Ready or Not..There We Go! gives parents the straight scoop on life with twin toddlers. Before your twins are on the go, whether you're ready or not, get yourself a copy of this book."
-Jennifer Margulis, editor of Real-Life Stories of Those Fickle, Irrational, Urgent, Tiny People We Love

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2006

About the author

Elizabeth Lyons is many things: mom, friend, writing and publishing coach, lunch maker, chauffeur, hostage negotiator, author, on-call plumber, tile layer, guitar student, window washer, designer, and on and on.

She demands the right to do things her way -- a way that often defies even the most creative imaginations--and she strives to inspire others to do things THEIR way (once they figure out what their way is!).

Elizabeth lives in Arizona with her five kids, crazy dog, four barely surviving organic gardens and whatever (or whomever) has taken up residence with them since her latest manuscript went to print.

Reviews

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted far more on managing TWIN toddlers, but she wasted too much time in the first half of the book on toddler parenting in general. No offense, but there are hundreds of highly rated books out there dedicated to raising one baby at a time or managing siblings born in succession. I still haven't figured out how to bring my twins to the park or to a story hour by myself (my guess is I just can't), but at least the author finally offered tangible advice on potty training two at once and separate vs shared bedrooms...

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I did happen to really enjoy it! :)

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s nice to hear about the experiences of other parents of multiples, what worked, what didn’t, and things to try. It’s nice to glean the chaos going on with other folks and know I’m ok and in good company.

[Carrie Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of it feels more like a memoir than a guide and there are some judgey moments I could do without.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did succeed in answering some of my questions (do I need 2 potties or can I get by with one?) It also addressed some issues I don't have to deal with yet (do they stay together in the same class when they go to school?). I have boy/girl twins who will probably have different friends as they get older. It did not address my birthday party questions (do you have two parties? On the same day?) But I can let that slide. Really, the only thing I didn't like was her advise about marriage. It went on for too long and just got in the way. If you have twins I highly suggest her books, (especially the first one). They are fun to read and full of real world suggestions and experiences.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was definitely entertaining to read, however, in the whole it really fell short for me. It started off strong and then faded. I felt the author was trying to hard to follow in the footsteps of "A Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy", etc. Her own personal stories were very entertaining, but I found the addition of her "friend's" perspective kind of forced. Much of the advice she gave is not something that I would want to follow. It is also TOTALLY geared for stay-at-home mom's (which is a MUCH harder job than going to work), but because of that, it didn't relate to the issues that I have as a working mom too much. It's a fun read, but not the best.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boys are as difficult - and as lovable - as Jack and Henry. They're triplets plus a big brother. It did my heart good to finally discover a household that is almost as crazy as mine and to see how that mommy handles it. There's hope for us!

Can anybody recommend a triplets version of this book? Or a version for a mom who is the bread-winner (Dad works, too)? So many challenges...always looking for useful ideas.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book, and it didn't deliver. I'm not sure I'd consider her an "expert", it didn't seem like she knew any more than any other twins mom figures out on her own. It was pretty chatty, and not that funny. I sometimes think about the duct tape story, but that's about it.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very humorous, cute read about surviving twins in the toddler years, but I have to admit--some of Lyons stories struck fear through the heart of me! 8 MONTHS OF BABIES RIPPING OFF DIAPERS AND PAINTING EACH OTHER WITH ITS CONTENTS?!? Seriously? I'm terrified!

Lyons has a great sense of humor and a fabulous network of friends that also have twins--both a necessity when raising multiples.

[Louise Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of it is brilliant - potty training, how to deal with them wanting the same stuff, getting out and about with two ticking tantrum time bombs. Other bits - mostly about her marriage and the importance of getting a therapist on speed dial etc. weren't all that useful and the equipment recommendations are all American/not available. Still a good read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read most of this book, excluding the parts that pertain to 2-4 year olds since my kids aren't there yet. Again, excellent book by a lady who's been there. She's very funny and easy to read, which is a necessity when you're trying to sneak chapters during nap time.

[Katarzyna L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Life with Twin toddlers, and I thought my kids were nuts! :)

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome awesome awesome. I really enjoyed the anecdotes and hilarious been there stories that made me laugh out loud!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but no where near as incredible as her first book of advice.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite there with the toddlers but it is a great resource in preparation!

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book for mom's of Twins!