1 Year Old Twins Getting into EVERYTHING

I don't have twins, but I can tell you that it will get a little easier in a few months. I remember the 9-14 month stage with my son was TERRIBLE. At that age they are finally able to explore all of the things they have been looking at for the past year or so!!! Eventually, it will not be that interesting and they will stop getting into every little thing! Then you can start to experience temper tantrums and "no no noooooooooo" ;-) !!!

Good luck mama!!

Welcome to toddlerhood!
First off babyproof your living room. I don't really see the benefit of having a playroom at that age - as you said they don't like to be left and will tear it apart. Better babyproof your living room and bring out single toys at a time to play with and then put away again. This is also so great to teach even the youngest kids to clean up after they are done playing (of course they won't do this alone right now...).
Second: go outside and let them explore. Unless your yard contains sharp glass or pebbles there is no reason why they could not explore and walk barefoot or in soft shoes (like Robeez). Those are better for the development of their feet and posture, too. Go in the early morning before it gets too hot if you can.

I can understand that it's tough with twins (I only have one that even that's challenging), but really try to get out of the house for your own sanity. The library, a mall ... strap them in their stroller and get moving. Even just seeing other things will probably keep them happy for a while and give you a change of scenery.
Good luck!

I do understand because I worked in the toddler room at a daycare, as well as my own in home daycare. I would look into hiring a mothers helper. This could be a family member, niece, nephew or cousin. I would suggest a teen aged person or if a family member is not an option a neighbor or someone from church to come and help out. It is not like baby sitting, more like a second person to help keep them occupied. I would also look into a Mother's Day Out program, found usually at churches to give yourself a much needed and deserved break.

As far as activities, have you tried letting them fingerpaint on the table with pudding, I prefer vanilla, it does not stain like chocolate can. Filling an under the bed box with water or rice and letting them play with anything from cars and trucks to kitchen spoons, measuring cups etc... I would suggest laying down a shower curtain with towels on top of it before putting the box with water on it. The other thing is to place this close to a door so when you are ready to empty it you can just slide it over to the door and tilt to empty it. Remember that a gallon jug of fluid weighs around 8 pounds

thats how they learn and grow. the best thing you can do is be proactive. make their area as safe and secure as you possibly can and let them play. it will get messy, thats just how it is. its exhausting, i know. baby gates are the only way i could ever sit down for a moment, they are your best friend. i had them all over the house and used them when i needed them. its great that you have a fenced in yard, why dont you want them outside barefoot? or experiment with shoes to find ones they cant take off if your ground is unsafe somehow. you really dont need elaborate equipment, for that age, nothing is better than balls. they love them, all sizes. those big ones that are in that giant bin in target or the supermarket, or those nubby ones are great for little ones, they can grab them. if its hot out, get a little baby pool and put a few inches of water in and sit with them and let them play. they love water. my kids are 3,5, and 7, and still all they really need outside is a hose, keeps them happy for hours. some kid friendly buckets or watering cans etc. they loooove sandboxes, although even i refuse to deal with that mess :) oh, and you cant beat bubbles! some little ride-on toys are great too, both in and out of the house. my house is basically a toy store, and by the time my 3rd came along, i had every little toy a 1 year old could want. still, all he really wanted to do was walk/climb/follow me around/mess stuff up. let them do it, but on your terms. this too shall pass :)

You don't say if your back yard is fenced in or not. If not I would suggest that you get some fencing and fence in a plot of it and put in some outdoor toys they can play/climb on. if you don't have a playroom make one of your bedrooms into a playroom if you can (my cousin turned her dining room into a playroom) put gates across the doorways so they can't get out and will be safe in a totally childproofed area. you will all be happier when they have a place to play that you don't have to chase them non stop from. my girlfriend has 9 month old twins right now. she got one of those mesh fence things and fenced off part of the living room so the kids can crawl and play without the dogs getting to them. that might work for you. as far as going out for walks if you have a double stroller you could do that every day. jsut don't take them out at the park just go for walks and then back home.

With my first I basically baby proofed the entire apartment with the exception of our room/bathroom. I closed those doors. It greatly reduced my stress since I didn't feel like I had to keep my eyes on my son every second. And there wasn't much he could get into besides what he was supposed to get into-his toys! I knew if I was in the kitchen and he was around the corner in the living room he was perfectly fine because nothing in there could hurt him. I also gave him a cabinet in the kitchen and would hide different things in there throughout the day and he actually liked eating his snack in there.

What about doing things like going to storytime at the library, getting them in an infant/toddler music class, baby gymnastics at the Y or join a moms group. That way you have many more options for getting out and getting stimulation for everyone and with play dates at the park the other moms usually help each other watch all the kids. And even if they can't climb on outdoor toys yet in your backyard you can get tunnels they can crawl thru, a tent for kiddies, a baby pool you guys can play in, a sand box, etc.

I hate to tell you but that's just the nature of 1 yr olds. It's just that you have double the exploring of these little ones. I know it must be overwhelming, because I have one toddler and it's hard keeping up with him much less two. For example, when I iron, he goes behind me and plugs it out of the outlet, he finds it so thrilling, so what I do is when I have to really do housework, I put him in his swing, let him snack or something and then let him loose again when I have the energy to be an octopus (lol). Good luck, and oh, by the way, saying no, they stare you in your eyes like it's a foreign language and still do it. PS: You can also play with them in a confined area to minimize the amount of movement and put interesting toys for them to explore, couple pots, pans, etc...

Hi J., I am sometimes nervous with one toddler, so I can not imagine what you go through with two! Good for you for all that you do.

I don't have twins, but I go to the park where several sets of twins play.
As I think it is important for you and them to get fresh air, and for them to let off steam outside, if you decide to go to a park, I will share my experience observing:

-- Go to the park the first time for 10 minutes, then 20, then 30. To build your confidence that you can manage things.

-- have one child sit in a swing while you let and watch the other run around. or, if there is no swing, one can sit in the stroller and snack.

-- Bring some of their favorite toys and sit under a tree.

-- Can you recruit a friend or neighbor to join you on a walk?

.

HTH. GL.
Jilly

I too have twins (now 9yrs old) and can remember those days. First thing if you have a fenced in yard take their shoes off and let them go, usually kids love being outside. What's the worse...you have to clean them up after, oh well. Baby proof your living room and put up any gates needed and bring out a few toys at a time and then put those away and bring out others.

Also, you've got to get out more with them. Yes it's overwhelming, but the only way it's going to get easier is if you just do it. Go to Target, Wal-Mart (whatever is close) put them in the stroller and pull cart behind you. Do this in short spurts at first if it's to much for you and then increase time out from there. You as well as them need to get used to this. Go to local shopping mall, put them in stroller, take snacks and go for as long as you can. Goodluck!!

My twins are now a year and a half, so I feel your pain!! We completely baby proofed the entire first floor to the point that there wasn't a whole lot to tear apart. Their toys were accessible, but not much else. I get where you're coming from in regards to the park and going out. It is sometimes more hassle than it's worth. Once they can start waling more strongly, it gets a ton easier. Instead of gating them in a playroom, try gating them in a bigger room with more area to play. As for their playroom, sometimes you just have to let go and realize that they will tear the room apart, but that's why it's a playroom! At that age, I would play hide-and-seek, chase them around the room, and other physical activities. Even though you don't have backyard toys yet, you'd be amazed how content they'll be to just explore the backyard.

Good luck!

I don't have twins. I imagine that you get twice the joy, but also twice the frustration. :) Getting out of the house would help, but it sounds like a daunting task. I would search for things that are do-able. Check out the rec center for mommy and me classes. With one of the mommy and me swim classes I took a mommy there worked out a deal with the rec center to pay for one child. She traded off - one went to the baby sitting area and one went to class with her. Another mom of twins did this when my son was in a tumbling for tots class. That might be an option. A baby pool with a just a little water...they can play and stay cool (we live in Texas and I know how hot and dangerous those slides can get). A sandbox (if they aren't ones to eat it) may be an option too. We have an umbrella we move around to keep our kids in the shade.

Some things that have helped my sanity as far as the plundering...door locks and latches up high so they can't get in to rooms or closets or the pantry.

Painters tape! I know this sounds and looks silly, but our built in tv stand is covered in tape. I didn't want to put child locks on it and in some of the spots it's not really a good idea. So there is tape all over it. The drawers have four or five pieces on it, to keep my little one out - I was gong to loose it if I had to pick up 8 million DVDs again! And since it's painters tape it won't ruin the finish.

Our kitchen has locks, but I left them off one cabinet and put the plastic ware in that one...my daughter can plunder away in there. The mess is minimal and I think she feels like she is getting away with something.

I strap her in to her high chair and give her an activity while I cook. Sometimes I just put containers inside one another and let her figure out how to get them out. Sometimes it's playdough. Sometimes she can color...the washable crayon comes off the tray easily if she misses the paper. She is then entertained, but confined a bit.

In her room I keep out only a small amount of her toys. Even if she tears the room apart it isn't that big of a mess. I trade out toys to keep her from getting bored. And then there are times where I just randomly pull out a toy and let her play.

I am also not against moving things for my sanity. Our fire place has a baby gate because I couldn't keep her out of the lava rocks. And our bar stools are currently in my bedroom closet. She kept climbing on the counters in the kitchen...I'll move those back...eventually.

GL!

O.K. Mom, get with it. I don't mean to be harsh but may be a little you'll see at the end why. It would seem to me you are wanting everything perfect all the time. That time passed the day the twins were born.
Many have said baby proof your living room. I like to baby proof the whole house! Have 1 or 2 cabinets that you can lock up medicines and cleaning products, otherwise you can baby proof enough where the kids can go through the whole house. And I don't mean baby proof by buy everyting that Lowes offers in that aisle, just put stuff up, get rid of breakable things.
Get out of the house!!! Get outside, barefoot! What's the big deal? Bubbles, balls, just simple toys, they don't need all the toys that Toys-R-Us offers. Go shopping! I love taking mine to the Dollar Tree, they know they can get 1 thing and I get what I need and it's cheap. A cheap toy is wonderful. Target is my fave, the $1 bins at the front door are a moms best friend, they can pick something right when they walk in the door and play while you shop. Good trick to shopping is eat. Let them get some animal crackers or something and eat through the store.
We love the library on hot days.

You have kids, just so happens there are two and they are the same age. I wouldn't wish twins on anyone for the first births but you were lucky enough to get them. Nothing is going to be perfect anymore. You have to make it work for you and every one around you. House clean, not so much. If they scream for the last 5 min. your in a store,oh well, I'm sure they are not the first.

I have 7 kids...ages 8, 6, 4 1/2 yr. old twins, 2 yr old and newborn twins. This doesn't make me wonder mom or anything. I can go grocery shopping, dr. visits, library, park, etc. I can take my kids just about anywhere by myself. My husband works all day, I have NO family help and only use a babysitter when there is no other option. Don't let your kids hold you back! You won't enjoy if you do. My husband and I take them out to eat at least once a month and we usually enjoy. It's never perfect anymore just works for us.
Good luck and enjoy your blessings!!