| One of the most frustrating things I’ve found | | | | jogging stroller. If you will often have to take them |
| about being the mother of twins is that getting out of | | | | along for errands and shopping, then a regular mall |
| the house alone with them can be very difficult. | | | | double stroller is all you need. With infants, a double |
| I’ve often longingly thought back to my leisurely | | | | universal car seat carrier (stroller frame) is invaluable, |
| outings with my first child and wished life were still that | | | | since they can remain comfortably in their infant car |
| easy now! Nonetheless, however challenging it may be | | | | seats while you transfer them from the house or |
| to get out and about with two babies, with a little | | | | vehicle to the wheeled frame. There are lots of |
| planning and flexibility, it is entirely possible to go do | | | | options out there, so make sure you research what |
| errands, visit with family and friends, or just get outside | | | | your lifestyle needs are before purchasing a double |
| for some fresh air. | | | | stroller, since they are more expensive and will need to |
| Getting Ready | | | | take double the abuse of single strollers. It will make |
| Things go much more smoothly when you’ve | | | | your outings much more pleasant if your stroller has all |
| got everything you need organized before you start | | | | the features you really need and want. |
| getting your twins ready to go. So while they are either | | | | Getting Help |
| napping or playing on their own, get going by making | | | | If you can, plan to have someone come along and help |
| sure the diaper bag is stocked and ready with the | | | | you from time to time when you go out with your |
| necessary supplies, including food, drinks and a change | | | | twins. Schedule a relaxed afternoon of shopping with |
| of clothes. Next, get out their coats, shoes, hats or | | | | your mom or a trip to the zoo with a friend. Having an |
| snowsuits, and put them where you will be dressing | | | | extra pair of hands makes the outing a lot easier and it |
| the babies. If they still travel in infant car seats, put | | | | gives you the opportunity to have some adult |
| these ready to go by the door or have your stroller | | | | conversation for a change! |
| just outside. Don’t forget about supplies that | | | | Getting Real |
| you’ll need to keep yourself happy too, such as | | | | Unfortunately, there will be some days when you really |
| a coffee or something to munch on later. | | | | want to get out of the house with your twins and it |
| Getting Out | | | | just won’t be possible without you having a |
| After you change the babies’ diapers, get them | | | | nervous breakdown. Either one baby or both will wake |
| dressed and into the car seat or stroller, beginning with | | | | up cranky from their nap and won’t settle down, |
| the twin who is likely to be the most agreeable at that | | | | or a feeding might take longer than you thought it |
| time (the less crying, the better!). If they are out of their | | | | would, and so on. With twins, as with all babies, you |
| infant car seats, you either carry both of them out to | | | | have to be flexible and accept that some days, your |
| your vehicle at the same time (not an easy feat), or | | | | plans to get out and about need to be scrapped, or at |
| leave one in a safe place in the house while you put | | | | least modified in some way. Perhaps a doctor’s |
| the other one in the vehicle or stroller first. Be ready | | | | appointment can’t be missed, but a short trip to |
| for either one or both babies to be madly crying while | | | | grandma’s can be rescheduled for another day. |
| you do this! | | | | Take heart by realizing that as your twins get older, |
| Getting About | | | | this, as well as everything else, will get a lot easier. |
| Most times you will be using a stroller to transport your | | | | Copyright 2005 by Anik Giguere-Biollo. Permission is |
| twins. There are many types of twin strollers or double | | | | granted to reproduce this article in electronic |
| strollers on the market to suit the different needs of | | | | newsletters or on websites provided that it is not |
| your lifestyle. If your main activity will be going for | | | | edited in any way, all the links are left active, and that |
| walks or jogs with your babies, you’ll need to | | | | neither the copyright declaration nor this license are |
| have either a good double all-terrain stroller or a double | | | | removed. |