Mid-Summer Madness with Multiples

Summer is definitely my favorite time of year, and like ice cream on a hot day, it always melts away too quickly for my liking. How can it possibly be July already? Summer has barely begun, yet I already feel it slipping away. But as much as I love summertime, with the sunny days, freedom from school-induced structure, and vacation adventures, there are plenty of moments of madness that accompany it. Gone are the quiet moments of alone time nestled into our school year routine, those nuggets of peace and solitude that I cherish. Too many empty summer days bring a double chorus of "Mom, we're bored!", usually followed by an escalation of bickering and squabbles as children spend more time together. The clutter collects on countertops, the dishes pile up in the sink and the laundry mounds ever higher. (With two twins on the swim team, the beach towels alone are a virtual Mount Everest!)

If the mid-summer madness is building to a crescendo in your family, remember that this "two" shall pass. Take back the reins and implement some summer structure. Plan some activity to prevent summer brain drain and keep your twins engaged in learning. Check out these suggestions for no cost/low cost summer fun if your looking for ways to fill the days. Get a head start on back-to-school shopping while the store shelves are fully stocked with supplies. But most of all, try to savor the sweet, small moments and memories. The start of school inches ever closer and by the time the next summer rolls around, your multiples will be a whole year older. You won't ever get this time back.

Find more tips for combatting mid-summer madness from About.com's Parenting Channel guides at the All About Parenting Blog Carnival for July, 2009, hosted by Jennifer O'Donnell's Parenting Tweens Blog.