Author(s): Christina Baglivi Tinglof

Family/Children

What lies ahead for expectant parents of twins? Immeasurable joy, plus many sleepless nights. Parenting twins is unlike parenting siblings of different ages. From infancy through the teen years, twins require a bit more energy and diplomacy, plus lots of clever ideas. "Double Duty: The Parents' Guide to Raising Twins, from Pregnancy Through the School Years" offers plenty of reassuring advice and practical strategies for coping with the challenges that lie ahead. Featuring a wealth of tips from couples with twins who've lived to tell about it, "Double Duty" covers everything from managing a multiple pregnancy to the first days of school.Whether you're concerned about bonding with two babies at once, getting them on the same schedule, or separating your inseparable duo for a day, "Double Duty" suggests many comforting solutions. It covers such twin-specific issues as: how to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy; how to prepare home and family for the arrival of twins; how to survive the critical first month; how to breastfeed or bottle feed two infants at once; the pros and cons of dressing twins alike; how to encourage paternal involvement; how to avoid speech difficulties in twins; and how to avoid unhealthy competition between the siblings. Christina Baglivi Tinglof has had travel features published in the "Los Angeles Times", "Chicago Tribune", "Boston Herald", and "Westways Magazine". Now, as a full-time mother, she writes on parenting for "LA Parent" and "Central California Parent" magazines. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Kevin, and their fraternal twin boys, Joseph and Michael.