aprilelizabeth writes: "I am hoping to get some good advice on how to stay sane while staying at home with my 2 and 1/2 year olds! I have boy/girl twins and some days feel as though I am losing my mind. Is that normal? ...though my family tries to be helpful, I don't know anyone personally who has had twins and have come to the conclusion that it is a unique experience that only someone who has been there can understand. I am a stay at home mom so I am also looking forward to speaking (or rather typing) with an actual adult!"

The isolation of being a stay-at-home mom can be overwhelming. Women who are accustomed to interacting with other adults in the workplace, find themselves in the company of babies or toddlers every day, and yearning for social connections. Mothers of twins or multiples may feel even more secluded. Not only are they meeting the demands of more children, but their feelings and circumstances don't match the experiences of moms of singletons.

Thank goodness for the Internet! It gives mothers easy, round-the-clock access to fellow moms of multiples. Just like aprilelizabeth, they can reach out to other moms for advice, support and companionship, and instantly connect with women around the globe. Stop by the message forum and join in the conversation. Find fellowship and friendship with other parents; share your wisdom and experience with others who are seeking advice. It just may save your sanity!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, one of my favorite times of the year. There is something very fortifying about taking time to gather with family and friends and count our blessings. It makes you appreciate how very blessed you are.
In preparation for Thanksgiving, take a moment to tell me why you are thankful to have twins or multiples. Granted, there are some moments of the day when you don't feel so thankful, for example when they are fighting, making a mess or crying incessantly. But in the big picture, most parents of multiples agree that they wouldn't trade it for the world.

Here's my list: 10 Reasons I'm Thankful for Twins. Please add your own reason!

Photo reprinted with permission of Cheryl Munitich.

Two in a tree! Twin sisters, Charley and Saige, were eleven years old when this picture was taken. The fraternal twins first appeared on this site when they were four years old. They sure have grown up!
• Share your thoughts, opinions and advice in the comments section.
• More Worldless Wednesday Posts on About.com.
• School-Aged Twins Photo Gallery
• Index of All Photo Galleries

November 17th is National Prematurity Awareness Day, part of the March of Dime's Prematurity Awareness Month. Twins and multiples are among the highest risk group for premature birth. Each year, nearly half a million babies are born prematurely, often with devastating lifelong consequences.

Image courtesy March of Dimes

The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign has two goals: (1) to raise public awareness of the problems of prematurity and (2) to decrease the rate of preterm birth in the U.S. The are accomplishing these goals by funding research, educating women about risk-reduction strategies, providing information and support to families, advocating for health care, and helping medical care providers address risk factors. You can also help the March of Dimes in this endeavor. Visit their website to learn more about prematurity and find out what you can do to promote this cause. Create a virtual wrist band in honor or in memory of children you love. Band together with others to collect donations to fuel the fight. Raise your voice by posting on Facebook, Twitter or a blog.

More Resources:
• Preterm Labor in Twin Pregnancy
• Caring for Preterm Twins or Multiples
• Consequences of Prematurity
• When Will My Twins Be Born?

Also on About.com:
• Cheryl Morrissette, About's Guide to Preemies
• Avoiding Preterm Labor from About's Guide to Pregnancy
• Premature Babies Photo Gallery from About's Guide to Pediatrics

Elsewhere on the Web:
• March of Dimes Fight Prematurity Awareness Month
• Preemie Twins at TwinPregnancyandBeyond.com
• Long-Term Effects of Prematurity from the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club