Addresses the Unique Challenges Faced by Parents of Twins

books:


	• Emotionally Healthy Twins: A New Philosophy for Parenting Two Unique Children Joan Friedman Da Capo Press, 2008 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 15 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Interesting ideas, more for identical twin families.

Gives good food for thought on raising twins. I think it's more for identical twin pairs and how to make them feel like individuals.

Addresses the Unique Challenges Faced by Parents of Twins

In my book, "It's Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy Through Adolescence," I stress the importance of promoting individuality in twin children. People often view twins as a set and fail to identify and distinguish the unique characteristics of each child. Even twins themselves may see themselves as an extension of each other, rather than as their own person. While it's a wonderful thing to have this loving and supportive bond between twins, it can also be detrimental to twins if they fail to achieve their own individual potential, form relationships with others, or develop a healthy self-esteem.

Joan A. Friedman, Ph.D., an identical twin and the mother of twin boys, has written an excellent book on raising two distinct individuals who just happen to be twins. In "Emotionally Healthy Twins: A New Philosophy for Parenting Two Unique Children," Dr. Friedman, a psychotherapist, breaks down her "parenting-of-twins philosophy" into 7 key concepts:

1. Think of your twins as two unique individuals.
2. Expect to have different feelings for each child.
3. Give each child consistent "alone time" with you. They need it in order to adequately bond with you.
4. Don't attempt to provide a "fair and equal" childhood for your twins.
5. Don't compare twins to each other; each is on his or her unique life path.
6. Encourage twins to pursue their own friendships and interests.
7. Don't rely on your twins to be each other's constant companion or surrogate parent.

If you're pregnant with twins, she explains how to mentally prepare for two separate babies. If you're raising twin babies, preschoolers, elementary school kids, preteens and teens, or young adults, separate chapters are devoted to meeting their emotional needs. There's even a chapter for fathers of twins, which will improve both their parenting and partnering skills. "Emotionally Healthy Twins" is an excellent book that addresses the unique challenges faced by parents of twins -- issues that aren't addressed in standard parenting books.

for more information click here

A very readable, useful book on relating to twins.

Dr. Joan Friedman's book on relating to Emotionally Healthy Twins is a winner. She lays out her book in an easy to read style and an easy to reference style. The actual case studies that she shares clearly illustrate the points she is making. In addition, her stories of her twinship and her twin sons make her book even more personal and meaningful. I am now a better friend to all my twin friends. Thank you so much, Dr. Friedman.

Meeting the Challenges of Twins

"Raising Emotionally Healthy Twins" fills the space earlier reserved exclusively for Dr. Spock, except that
it defines the understanding necessary to cope with the thrills, worries and trials attached to a 'two fer.'
Dr. Friedman has written what I deem to be the ultimate guide to the healthy development of twins - one that speaks from the heart as well as the mind. This is a book which needs to be read by every twin parent.

Miriam Harris, Ph.D.

for more information click here

A diamond in the rough

Joan Friedman's book is very intelligent and insightful. She writes from a perspective that has not yet been explored. I found her book to be of very high quality and the writing is inquisitive and precise.

This book is not only a necessary read for parents of twins, but useful for all parents. The unique philosophy discussed can be used in raising children of all ages.

A must read for all serious parents!

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

Most parents try to treat their twins as individuals, but most unwittingly undermine their best intentions because they lack a practical set of guidelines for raising emotionally healthy multiples. Drawing on her unique experience as a twin, the mother of twins, and as a psychotherapist, Dr. Joan A. Friedman outlines the seven key concepts for helping twins develop into self-realized, unique individuals and offers parents specific strategies for each stage in their children?s growth. From how to set up the nursery to handling playdates and extracurricular activities, from deciding on same or separate classroom education to encouraging grandparents and other family members to think beyond the pair to see individuals, Emotionally Healthy Twins will become the standard reference for parenting twins.

for more information click here

hot