-I hate to break it to you, but the preschool admissions process is right around the corner if you are thinking about preschool for Fall. So here are some rock solid tips to help you with creating your list of schools and getting into the school of your choice!!!
1. Generally in NYC, preschool applications are due the year before your child enters preschool. There are some schools with rolling admissions, but most preschools in NYC will require you to apply a year in advance.
2. Parents of older children (3 and over) will likely have an easier time getting into preschool. There are more schools to choose from for older children (not all schools have a program for kids under 3) and the class sizes are larger. So there are more seats available!
3. When creating your list of preschools think about the school’s:
• Location – You generally want a school that is close to home. Remember your child won’t just be going to school there. They will also attend play dates there, birthday parties etc.). More
Written by Katiana Harrison – Mother to six-year old, twin daughters, who have Autism. Her love for and dedication to her daughters have helped her to grow into an Autism advocate.
“Many special needs children suffer from feeding issues and complications. My twins have
difficulties with certain foods and textures and have been struggling with this for awhile. Thankfully, because of feeding therapy, we are slowly but surely making progress in this area. The following are some helpful tips and techniques that might help get you started from Speech Pathologist and Feeding Therapist, Heather Boerner.
KH: Please introduce yourself and let us know about your background and credentials.HB: I’m Heather Lynn Boerner, M.A., CCC-SLP – a Speech Language Pathologist. I have been in practice for ten years primarily servicing the pediatric population and own Chatty Child Speech Therapy out of New York. I specialize in treating feeding disorders, as well as speech, language and pragmatic language delays. I expanded my knowledge working in pediatric hospitals, schools and clinical settings.
KH: What are some factors that can cause feeding problems in a special needs child?
HB: There are numerous factors that can put a child at risk for a feeding delay or disorder. Parents should be aware that “pediatric dysphagia,” the term used to describe difficulty swallowing can occur anywhere from the mouth to the stomach.The following is a list of common factors cited from the “Pediatric Dysphagia Resource Guide” by Kelly Dailey Hall.
Gastrointestinal or Gastroesophageal tract disorders: Children with normal swallowing function may have gastrointestinal issues (“GI”) that will affect feeding. A child may not be able to tolerate oral feedings because of negative consequences, such as pain associated with food moving from the esophagus to the intestines. Some GI abnormalities include: Vascular Ring, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (“GERD”). GERD is one of most common reasons for feeding avoidance and occurs when the stomach contents moves upwards into the esophagus and possibly the pharynx. Generally, both medicines and behavioral management are combined to treat the GERD. More
Told By: Toby Amir Fox-Toby resides in Phoenix, Arizona where she attempts to juggle a husband, three kids, a dog and a full-time job as a fund development officer without losing her sanity.
“The first time someone mentioned separating my twins in school they were 21 months old and preparing to enter a Two’s classroom.
Hannah and Abbie have been attending daycare/preschool since they were 13 weeks old and my husband and I had always planned on separating them in school at some point. In the long-run, we felt that separating would be in their best interest, but envisioned doing it when they were older and entering elementary school. So when then teacher mentioned separating the girls as they prepared to transition into a Two’s classroom I was vehemently opposed to the idea. My twins had ALWAYS fought relentlessly over anything and everything. I used to tell people that after 8 ½ months in the womb they were ready for a trial separation. But their behavior was also age-appropriate, and I felt that the school was pushing separation because it was easier to separate the girls than deal with the problem itself. As I said to one teacher, “if my kids weren’t twins you would never have suggested putting them in different classes. You would have simply managed the situation differently.”
Never did I imagine that they would consciously choose to separate from each other. More
Written By: Randi Stone- Pilates instructor and mother of twins.
-You sneeze, you pee. You cough, you pee. Intercourse ain’t what it used to be. What gives? In short, your pelvic floor has been traumatized by pregnancy and/or childbirth.
The pelvic floor extends from your anus to your pubic bone and consists of a network of muscle fibers that are interconnected and woven together like a hammock. During pregnancy, your pelvic floor goes from carrying your uterus, which starts off smaller and lighter than a kiwi, to a uterus that is the size and weight of an oversized pumpkin. So, even if you didn’t have a vaginal birth, its been through a lot!
The Kegel, named after Dr. Kegel, is the name of a pelvic floor exercise to strengthen muscles that attach to the pelvic bone and act as a hammock for the organs (urethra, bladder, uterus and rectum) located in the pelvis. Pregnancy, age and hormonal changes all weaken the pelvic floor, and even if you Kegel like crazy, you probably do them wrong, not enough, incorrect positionally, and maybe don’t exercise your pelvic floor at all. More
“When I went to the pool I would see a mom with her two kids in separate floats trying desperately to keep them together. She would have one hand on one float, the other on another float. All would be well until the kids would start splashing and kicking, getting water in her eyes, she would let go to wipe her brow and before she knew it they were starting to drift away from each other. She would grab them both and pull them closer and the cycle would continue. Pool time for her seemed to be quite the hassle and I knew I would be in that same predicament very soon. I just knew there had to be a better way.” – Tanya Sjodin
Can you relate to this experience? Well Tanya decided to do something about it and created Duo Splash Floats. The first and only float made for two small children. Today we are giving away floats to two Twiniversity families. Fill out the form below and read these pool time safety tips from Duo Splash Floats to help make your pool time safe and fun!
“The summer months means warm weather and lots of water fun. It means barbecues and boating on the lake. It means eating seafood and heading to the beach. Clearly the theme of summer time is fun in the water. Most little kids can spend all day long swimming in the pool, floating in the lake, and surfing the waves at the beach. While the water does bring lots of fun, there are also certain safety aspects we as parents must always keep in mind that go beyond protecting our kids’ skin from harmful sun rays.
Watching one kid is pretty easy for one parent, but watching two kids can quickly become a challenge. Of course, the level of difficulty also depends on the age of your children and their swimming abilities. It is much easier to watch a teenager, who can swim relatively well, and a toddler at the same time then it is to watch two small kids who may not be able to keep their heads above water by themselves. So, here are a few safety tips when enjoying your summer months on the water with two small kids.
First, closely supervise your kids in the pool at all times keeping them near you. Make sure kids are wearing adequate life saving device flotation gear if needed. Do not let one kid play at the other end of the pool from where you are. If one needs to get out to go to the potty, grab a drink, or just take a break, everyone should get out. Do not leave your kids unattended in the pool ever, even if you will be gone just a few seconds.
Second, try to stick to pools and swimming areas where life guards are present. This way, there will always be an extra pair of eyes, or more if there is more than one lifeguard, watching your kids. Try to play directly in front of the lifeguard stand so you are in their direct line of vision. Go to the pool with a friend or family member if possible so they can help you watch your kids. Even if they have kids of their own, at least there are now two pairs of eyes, plus lifeguards if you follow the suggestion above, watching your kids. The more sets of eyes there are the better.
Third, try to swim when there are other people at the pool. This goes back to the more sets of eyes the better so if you end up needing some help in an emergency, someone nearby could quickly lend a hand with whatever you may need. If you are swimming at home ensure that rescue devices are readily available and even a phone nearby for emergencies.
Finally, look into water safety classes, rescue floating classes for infants and toddlers teaching survival skills, swimming lessons for older children, and CPR classes for yourself or babysitters. Additionally, remember to deflate and put away all pool toys when you are done using them as children are attracted to try and get them if they are floating around in the pool.
If you follow the above safety tips, you will ensure your summer months are full of good times, laughter, and sun tans for everyone. Just because you have more than one kid does not mean you cannot get out there and enjoy yourself, you just have to take a few more safety precautions. Enjoy your summer and stay safe!”
-This contest has ended-
*To enter you must be a Twiniversity member. If you’re not already a member join for free here. You must be a parent, expectant parent or caregiver of multiples to join. Then fill out each section below.
[gravityform id=”25″ name=”Win Duo Splash Floats!”]
By: Sommer Harkins- wife and full-time mother to five children.
-As a mother to five children, a simple trip to the grocery store requires strategicplanning and timing. Not too early, not too late…just in time to prevent a massive meltdown, but not long enough to interrupt normal routines and activities. Parents know the routine, all for a “simple” trip to the grocery store so one can only imagine the consideration given to something as momentous as vacation planning. Don’t fear…this mom of many has a few tips and tricks to help families small and large survive your next vacation!
A little planning goes a long way; especially when getting to your destination is half the battle! An exotic island vacation may seem like just the thing you need to feel rejuvenated and refreshed, but consider the siren screams of your little one, exhausted from hours of non-stop sitting in a confined space to get to your “fantasy island.” In our family, we typically choose to drive to our vacation destinations. This mode of vacationing seems to best suit our family once all things are considered such as ages of our children, their tolerance level, my endurance level, and distance of travel. When planning, I factor in the time it takes to get there and the number of stops it will take to keep everyone reasonably sane throughout the trip. Here’s where you can get a little creative:
Research fun places to stop on your way. Many localities advertise fun local attractions right off major interstates to attract tourists. Who’s in the mood for a quick snack of local produce at an area farmer’s market? Or a viewing of discarded thing-a-ma-jigs recreated into interesting art for all to enjoy? Maybe you’re just in time for an annual festival celebrating the area’s food, music and festivities.
Explore the great outdoors. Search out parks in the vicinity of your travel route, as this is a sure way to get kiddos nice and tired for the remainder of the trip. If you can’t find a park, use what you have! The grassy knolls of most rest areas offer a great place for children to burn off some steam. Be sure to pack an easily accessible bag of balls, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and jump ropes to use on these stops. You may even consider packing a small umbrella stroller for a brisk walk with your little one.
Feed the children-Not the animals. Be sure to pack plenty of drinks and snacks for your trip. However, consider the logistics of along trip vs. a normal car ride. Try to limit foods with large amounts of sugars and dyes, as these may lead to upset tummies on long car rides. Juice boxes and open containers may work ordinarily, but the use of sippy cups or water bottles may reduce spillage. The choice of savory snacks over sweet snacks may level out blood sugars to lessen the likelihood of food-induced meltdowns. Consider crackers and produce over cookies and gummies, water instead of juice. Don’t forget a change of clothes in the front of the car in case of emergency, as this will keep you from having to search through nicely packed bags all while holding a child covered in vomit. Get the visual!…
… the rest of the story (and more great articles) can be found in the Summer 2012 issue of Multiplicty Magazine on page 18. Make sure to subscribe for FREE here.
By: Sommer Harkins- Sommer is a wife and full-time mother to five children. As a mom to many, she knows first-hand the challenges of motherhood for women, whether working in or outside of the home. In her pursuit toward “joyful” motherhood, coupled with her desire to help other women, Sommer founded Mom Enthusiastically, where she assists mothers in the area of “home management” with the hope of inspiring moms to revitalize homes.
Please read, enjoy, digest and discuss another outstanding (if we do say so ourself) issue of Multiplicity Magazine. Click our cover to read.
Don’t forget to check out the great articles by some of the most amazing writers we love!
In this issue you will find articles on sleeping, moving your family, best apps for twins, wine (yes wine!), fashion finds for less (all our models are twin mama’s!), freezer cooking, travel and MUCH MUCH more!
“Birthday parties. My kids live for them, and as a mother of triplets, I dread them. Now I’m not talking about the demands of throwing a bash for your multiples and 50 of their closest friends and classmates. The bigger drama in our house is other kids’ parties.
Depending on what child (or children) the party is for and what activities or classes we know them from, one, two, or all three of our kids could be on the invite list. Jack has been to three parties this month, for instance, but no invites for my daughter. Besides the potential scheduling and emotional dilemmas, there is the big question of how many gifts we should bring. Party invites, gift giving, and receiving always seem to be topics of discussion among my multiples friends and me. While we’ve found no official rulebook, the following are a few guidelines that we’ve adopted in regards to party etiquette for parents of multiples.
Whether multiples, singletons, or two or more children of different ages are involved, the etiquette shouldn’t change. Each child is an individual and should be treated as such. Somehow though, the lines get a little blurred for families of multiples. If all of your multiples are invited to a child’s birthday party, technically each should bring a gift for the birthday child. However, finding three unique and fun presents for one child can be tough for a busy parent squeezing a trip to the toy store in between a hundred other chores, and not to mention the expense. I often opt for one larger and more expensive gift, instead of two or three less expensive ones. Sometimes I’ll also include smaller token gifts from each of my kids to accompany the nicer group gift so that each of my kids can hand their friend a present.
“After 17 years of living with my identical twin girls, I have figured out the way to survive—capture the loving, happy times on film and STAY AWAY from the fighting unless blood is drawn!
As babies, they played and giggled endlessly. As they grew into toddlers, they shared each and every milestone within a week’s time. The early grades of school brought some healthy competitiveness and the middle-school/high school years turned their bond into a complete love-hate relationship. They couldn’t seem to go more than a few hours without fighting. An hour later, they’d be inseparable again. I gave up on getting involved—it never mattered. It was their bond, their struggle, and their incredible identical twin relationship. I’ve always wondered..,Do they get it? Do they realize how lucky they are? A built-in best friend for life….a person who knows and loves you and shares so much of who you are?
Now that it’s almost time to separate for college (their choice to attend separate schools), I finally have my answer. My daughter, Carlie, is a writer for her high school newspaper. She wrote this article below, and after reading it, I can finally see…..yes, they get it:
Identical twins Carlie Schwaeber ‘12 and Sami Schwaeber ‘12 have created all of their memories together, including getting ready for the County’s dance junior year. I don’t think I have ever spent more than a week away from my twin sister, Sami. We share clothes, have the same sense of humor, have primarily the same friends, and as nauseatingly cliché as this is to say, she is my best friend. Now, let’s not be ridiculous. Sami drives me up the wall sometimes, especially when she tells me to stop eating with my mouth open when she is eating just as disgustingly. Yet, no matter how many silly arguments we get in, we usually forget about them within an hour or so. More
by: Notoya Green. 
Twiniversity 