Fiddlers and Reindeer: why family traditions are so important and how to start them

Written by: Tobi Stanton Stewart

Every year during the holidays, millions of us fall victim to the frenzy. We get so caught up in the wrong things that we end up tired, stressed, and far from merry. Having special family traditions can be a fun way to bring lightheartedness back to the holiday season.

Creating family traditions is like weaving the fabric that will form your children’s memories. Your multiples will not recall every gift under the tree with perfect clarity next year. However, they will remember the way it felt to spend time with you.

Traditions are an opportunity to put the focus back on your family and the quality of the time you spend together. When we treat our rituals and traditions as sacred they can truly fill the season with glad tidings.

You may think sacred is a pious word to use for a sugar cookie binge or inflating a giant illuminated penguin, but when these things are done with love they become memories precious beyond anything that can be purchased. Doing them year after year provides a family with a sense of continuity and belonging. There is something very reassuring to seeing that crèche, tree, reindeer, menorah, or why family traditions are so important and how to start them.

In our house, the twins must take turns every year being the one who adds baby Jesus to the manger scene. We started with toy figurines and are slowly working up to family heirlooms. It’s a great teachable moment about our faith. They cannot wait for His birthday to come. We get a birthday cake and sing “Happy Birthday, Jesus”, as it is something that my family always did.

If there are memories you have that truly embody a happy holiday feeling, try recreating them this year. Perhaps it’s the stillness of midnight mass, or laughter floating in the icy air during a sled ride. Find that inner joy that radiates from the past and share it with the people you love who are important to you now.

Was there a particular album or artist that embodies the holidays for you? Download it on iTunes and introduce your multiples to Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, or 98 Degrees as you begin your decorations. Taking it down shouldn’t be a solitary endeavor either. Pizza and wings can sweeten the deal and turn the clean-up into family time.

Has it been ages since you tasted your grandmother’s latkes? Get the recipe out and try it with your kids. Don’t get self-critical if they don’t taste exactly like hers. They should taste like yours! Enjoy and celebrate the difference….
… for the rest of this article turn to page 39-40 of the Fall 2012 issue of Multiplicity Magazine.

Tobi Stanton Stewart is a twin mom and writer who blogs about the good, the bad, and the fabulous world of multiples at The Posh Mommas.

Homemade Christmas Crafts & Decor

Written by: Helena Eynon

salt dough decorations

Homemade Christmas decorations made with salt dough are a fantastic way for all the family to get crafty together. The dough is easy to make, and once dried, the decorations will be hard and durable, and can be cherished for years to come.

You will need

• 2 1/2 cups of plain flour
• 1 cup of cold water
• 1 cup of salt
• 1 T of vegetable oil
• Rolling pin
• Baking trays
• Baking paper
• Cookie cutters
• Kebab skewer
• String or gift ribbon
• Paint – acrylic paint gives a finer finish, but regular poster paint is perfect for little hands.
• Paintbrushes
• White craft glue
• Glitter, sequins, pens, etc.

Making the dough

Do something Good :: Club Spotlight :: Charlotte Mothers of Multiples

Written by: Amanda Nethero

There is a special bond between families of multiples that I have never seen in any other group of people, and hopefully this is something you have experienced in your own multiples club. Only other parents of multiples can truly understand the joys and complete chaos that comes along with having twins, triplets, or more. One such club that goes above and beyond with supporting their families is the Charlotte Mothers of Multiples (CMOMs).

Each year, in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the Race for Fetal Hope 5K takes place. The race is put on by the Fetal Hope Foundation and is a way to raise awareness of fetal syndromes and to help raise money for the Foundations’ missions in supporting families when their babies are diagnosed with fetal syndromes. Part of a National Race Series, the races host to more than 3,000 people.

President of CMOMs, Lindsay Wilson shared what being a part of the 5K is all about:

Perilous Pregnancies: Carreres Story

Written by Talitha A. McGuinness- Multiplicty Executive Editor /Creative Director

-The Carreres learned of their twin pregnancy at an elective 10-week ultrasound. In retrospect, had they waited until a later scan, they more than likely would have lost one or both of their babies due to TTTS.

After their 18 week scan and an answer they did not understand,the doctor said the words ‘Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome’and their lives changed forever.

“He gave very little hope and I was actually the one who brought up laser surgery, as I had read about it in a nursing journal,” said mom Elizabeth. “The doctor agreed to a referral, but was not optimistic. We left feeling totally alone and devastated.

Prescription for Success: the Doctor / Parent / Child Relationship

Pas de trois – A dance that requires three people. This “dance” can also describe the balance in having a successful doctor-parent-child relationship. I sat down for a Q&A with Dr. Preeti Parikh to ask her how we as parents can have such a successful relationship with our child’s Doctor.

Dr. Parikh with her husband and twins

Dr. Preeti Parikh is a Board-Certified  Paediatrician holding degrees from The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Columbia University. She currently is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Paediatrics Department at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and works in private practice in New York City. She also serves as the Medical Director of Programming at HealthiNation.com. Her interests include preventive medicine, advocacy and patient education. Her goal is to empower both parents and children with the right knowledge and tools to achieve their optimal health. She enjoys her free time with her husband and twins. She is also the contributing Paediatrician for the upcoming book “What to Do When You Are Having Two” to be published next year,written by our very own Natalie Diaz, founder of Twiniversity.

Q: What type of doctor should a child have?

A: There are two types of doctors that take care of children. One is Family Medicine doctors. They practice pediatrics and several other areas such as internal medicine, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology. The second is Pediatricians. These are medical doctors that specialize in newborns to young adults up to age 21.

Q: How can a parent find the right doctor for their child?

A: It is great to get recommendations, but you should also conduct your own research. Check their credentials to see if they are board certified, where they trained, and if their standing is good in the hospital. Also, if your child has special needs, it is important to make sure the doctor you choose is qualified to care for those needs. The most important quality of finding a doctor is one who you feel comfortable with and have mutual respect. Your doctor may not share your views on all aspects of your child’s medical care or parenting, but the key is to have a comfort level. The best way to find out if a doctor is a good match for your family is to meet the physician in person. You can make an appointment to meet with your potential doctor to find out firsthand if they are a compatible fit for your family. You will be spending a lot of time with your children’s doctor so you want to make sure you will have a functional relationship. Something important to consider is how they approach doctoring. Some physicians are open to making a decision together with the child’s parent and having an inclusive dialogue. Others may prefer to be paternal/maternal in their doctoring. This does not involve as much of a dialogue, but allowing the doctor to advise you, the parent,about what is best. Also, if you like to follow homeopathic treatments, then you would want to find a doctor who is familiar and comfortable with that sort of treatment.

Q: What factors can influence the doctor/parent relationship?

A: Open communication is the key to a good relationship! You should never feel intimidated to talk to your child’s doctor about your viewpoints on your child’s care or your parenting style. You should always be able to have an open dialogue with your physician. If one or both parties are set in their own viewpoints and are not open to having a dialogue, proper care for the child can breakdown.

… continue reading in the 2012 Fall issue of Multiplicity Magazine on page 58-60. We discuss  How can a parent be a good advocate? When should a parent consider changing their child’s doctor? What are some tips for taking your twins to the doctor so it’s not so frenzied? And what the doctor’s top tips for parents of multiples are?

Also read the Twiniversity article, Do your children fear the doctor? for tips to help a child of any age overcome a fear of the Doctor.

Written by: Jill Marcum

Surviving the holidays and keeping the spirit alive

Written by: Frankie Howley

Tis’ two months until the holidays, and all through the house, your multiples are running, wreaking havoc and jumping on the couch! With so much excitement, the hustle and bustle of the holiday shuffle may leave you without a clue, of what to do. But before visions of dollar signs dance through your head, instead keep it simple, and try planning ahead!

Whether you’re shopping for gifts, planning on attending a party, or sticking to annual traditions, there are multiple ways to simplify the stress of the holidays, while also maintaining the magic of the season for your children.

Brightening up the season doesn’t have to be a chore that will cost you more than double. Start by thinking of gifts that will last them all year and stick to their basic interests in toys, games and activities. To find the most thoughtful gifts, simply start by shopping as early as October, or even throughout the year. Beginning your shopping early can also increase your bargain for a better buy. Look for ways to save through deals, both in-store and online. For more tips that may save you time, money and from standing in line visit Cutting Corners for Multiple Savings.

Once you’ve wrapped up your holiday shopping, preparing to address the multiple social invitations to parties can be very stressful, too. Before you accept, evaluate how you’d rather spend your ‘free’ time. Ask yourself what would be more enjoyable for you and your multiples. If it’s worth it, remember to keep it simple and only attend what fits your schedule. Should you need to decline the invitation, don’t feel bad. Be polite and prompt with an RSVP, briefly explaining that you’ll be unable to attend, and commit to your decision…..

…. To read more reminders about keeping the holiday stress at bay continue reading this article on page 8 in the Fall issue of Multiplicty Magazine (2012) along with other holiday articles such as “Home for the holidays: tips and tricks for cooking your family’s favorites!” page 25, “Homemade Christmas Crafts & Decor” page 9,  and “Fiddlers and Reindeer on the Roof: Why starting family traditions are so important and how to start them” page 38.

 

Cooking for a Crowd: Party Pleasing Recipes That Never Fail

It has happened to all of us. You are hosting a party at your house, and you were sure you had plenty of time to do all your cooking and get everything out on the table. So why does it always feel like a mad scramble? We love to entertain and it is easy to do in our neighborhood full of kids and families. I just got tired of always feeling like people were walking in the door, (even when they were the fashionably late, I-don’t-want-to-be-the-first-ones-there, 15 minutes after the party starts folks), and I was still pulling things out of the oven or stirring something on the stove.

What worked for me was to find a set of go-to party foods for large crowds that all of the prep can be done earlier in the day. Veggie-based appetizers are always a great vegetarian choice and you can’t forget dessert for the sweet tooth attending. When I lived in Dallas, I became OBSESSED with Nothing Bundt Cake’s Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Bundt cake. Through trial and error, I have figured out a home version since I am no longer in Dallas, but am still obsessed with this cake. The following recipes will please any crowd and keep you cool, calm, collected, and ready to answer the door without an oven mitt in hand.

Broccoli-Cheese & Turkey Pepperoni Pinwheels

Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels:

• 1 box of frozen Puff Pastry (2 sheets) – Pastry sheets need to be unwrapped and set on counter for thirty minutes to thaw before use.
• For Broccoli-Cheese:1 10 oz. package of frozen chopped broccoli, defrosted
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ T of Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper
• 1 beaten egg white

What to do:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Microwave the broccoli according to directions on package and put in a large mixing bowl.
• Add cheese, mustard, salt and pepper.
• Roll or stretch the dough out to approximately 10 x 14 inches.
• Spread the mixture over roughly ¾ of the dough, leaving a short side without filling.
• Start to roll up from the short side until you have a log.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to bake before your party.

Turkey Pepperoni Pinwheels:

• 4 oz. of turkey pepperoni slices, minced or chopped very fine
• 3 tsp of Dijon mustard
• 1 T of honey½ cup of grated Asiago cheese
• 1 tsp of oregano
• Salt and pepper
• 1 beaten egg white

What to do:

• In a large bowl mix the cheese, honey, mustard, pepperoni, and all of your spices.
• Roll or stretch the dough out to approximately 10 x 14 inches and repeat by spreading mixture, rolling up and wrapping in plastic wrap.
• Place in the refrigerator.

Baking:

When you are ready to bake each log, slice into equal pieces, approximately ½ wide. Lay flat on baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and bake 15 to 20 minutes until pastry is golden and cheese is melted. Depending on your oven size, how many ovens you have (single vs. double), and how long your oven takes to preheat, time your baking and these can pop out of the oven just as your guests arrive.

…Want more crowd pleasing recipes? Check out page 20-22 of the Multiplicity 2012 Toy/Gift Guide to learn how to make these:

• Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Truffled Mac and Cheese
• World’s Best Bundt Cake

Jessica Therivel has been married for 8 years to Laurent and is mom to twin girls who started kindergarten this fall. Now that she has some free time again, Jessica is freelance writing and running a photobook design business.

Multiplicity Toy/Gift Guide 2012

Need an idea for a gift for a loved one? Get the scoop on great gifts for the whole family right here in the first annual Multiplicity Gift Guide. Maybe you are looking for a gift for a birthday, baby shower, mothers day, fathers day, Christmas; whatever the occasion, we can help you find the perfect gift. Also find great articles about how to come up with a last minute gifts from every day items, creative wrapping solutions and much, much more!! Check it out now!!

Click the cover to begin reading

Interested in advertising? View our Multiplicity Media Kit today. Also ask about our first annual Gear Guide due out in May 2013!!

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Creature comforts in your crockpot

Written by: Karen Finchum

I know for many of us, what we are going to fix for dinner isn’t the top priority of our day. I usually get that moment of panic around 5 p.m., wondering what I will possibly make for my family. That is why I decided to cook more often with my crockpot. I wake up in the morning, spend around 10 minutes of prep time, and I am able to come home to a nice hot meal for my family. If your family doesn’t like something listed as an ingredient in some of my favorite recipes, just swap it out for something else and make the recipes your own! Happy Crocking!

Perfect Pot Roast

Cook: 7-9 hours on low

What you need:

• Beef Roast – any type will do
• ½ pkg. of dry Ranch dressing mix
• 1 pkg. of dry Italian dressing mix
• 1 pkg. of dry brown gravy mix
• ½ cup of water*
• 1 pkg. of frozen carrots

What you do:

home for the holidays: tips and tricks for cooking your family’s favorites!

 

Perry Como sing’s it best: “Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays.” This is one of my most favorite Christmas songs and in our house we love spending the holidays at home and entertaining. To us, Christmas is all about family and food! Our children love having our extended family over for the “big Christmas Party” on Christmas Eve, where we typically have close to twenty people for a seated dinner. It is a perfect blend of my Irish/Italian heritage and his Polish heritage, new traditions that we have started with our own children, and our favorite holiday dishes we grew up with.

Our Christmas Eve Menu consists of: Shrimp Cocktail, Mushroom Soup, Pierogies, Salad,Baked Ziti, Eggplant Parmesan, Fish, Seasonal Vegetable, Italian Bread, Assorted Christmas Cookies and a Special Dessert. We pretty much serve the same thing or close to the same thing every year, and that is okay with us! The special dessert does change from year to year, as does the types of fish and vegetables. We like to use fresh food that is available locally, but as long as I’m not cooking the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes, it is fine with me! Here are some of the things that work for us to ensure we have an enjoyable holiday meal with a smooth preparation and here’s hoping it helps you, too!