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The Secret to a Happy Twin Dad:
Be Prepared
by Joe Rawlinson

When we found out we were having twins, my thoughts immediately turned to worries about physically providing for my suddenly larger family.

Would we need to buy a bigger house? How am I going to pay for all this? How do you even take care of two babies at the same time?

In addition to the shock of learning we'd be having twins, I stressed about how we could get ready for their arrival.

As I thought about what we should do, I remembered the motto from my days as a Boy Scout: Be Prepared.

Just like a good Boy Scout is prepared for anything, a good twin dad will likewise be prepared and ready for the challenges ahead.

Tips From a Prepared Happy Twin Dad

As you prepare for your twins' arrival, focus on what you can control and take the other surprises as they come.

Focus your preparations on what will happen during the last months of the twin pregnancy and during the newborn months with twins.

Your goal is to replace your wife. No, not literally. You want to find a substitute for all the things she does for you and your family. Why? Because she will likely be on bed rest, your twins will come early, and you'll have your hands full with newborn twins before you know it.

Group your preparations into three buckets: food, household, and baby care.

For food preparations, you need to line up meals for when Mom is on bed rest or you both are swamped with newborn baby care. We stocked our freezer with ready-to-cook meals that we could microwave or cook in the oven with minimal effort. These were life savers when we literally had no time to cook for ourselves.

Your house will be a mess and chores will fall by the wayside when your twins arrive. This is the reality and you have to accept it. You can line up friends or family to come over to help clean or do laundry. Think about the tasks that get done around the house. These are things you likely take for granted (laundry, cooking, dishes, caring for older children, etc.). However, when Mom is on bed rest with a massive belly of twins, you will have to carry the chore load.

Take advantage of the time you have during the first and second trimester to make all your baby preparations. Don't wait until the last minute because twins often come early. Get the nursery ready now. Pack your hospital bag. Get two car seats installed in your vehicle. Stockpile diapers, baby onesies, and burp cloths. Whatever you need later, get it ready now.

Remember the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. Adopt this motto as a twin dad, and you'll be able to overcome any challenges or surprises that come with twins.

About the Author
Joe Rawlinson is a father of four, including identical twin girls. He is the author of the Dad's Guide to Twins and shares his experiences, tips, and tricks for fathers of twins at dadsguidetotwins.com.

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