There's often an expectation of similarity placed on twins. Even dizygotic (fraternal) twins are assumed to be alike in many ways, for example, when reaching milestones like starting school. But sometimes parents must face a situation where their twins have drastically different abilities. Agrits1130 explains her dilemma in the message forum:

I have 5 year old b/g twins that will start school in the fall... Recently when I registered them for school, she is ready for Kindergarten but they want him back in Junior-Kindergarten. At their 5 year check up the doctor said that he needed to be in school right now but she could wait until the fall to start. They are so far ok (3 months now) with him going to school and her staying home. BUT. I do not want to separate them if he has not caught up to her level. Is there any one else out there with different level twins?

This is a tough decision for a parent of twins. What advice would you share? Post a message in the forum or leave a comment.

Emma ... Jacob ... Olivia ... Joshua ... these names populate the updated list of most popular names for twins. Every year, the Social Security Administration compiles data and issues a "Most Popular Baby Names" list. The list reflects the frequency of the first names as they appear on applications for Social Security cards. Here is the list of most popular twin name combinations for 2007.

Boy Names | Girl Names | Boy/Girl Names

For the record, neither of my twin girls' names made the list! Not their first names, nor their middle names either. I guess name choices have changed quite a bit in the last decade!

• How to choose names for twins.
• Parent's Poll: Names for Twins

On an interview on the Today show, Angelina Jolie confirmed that she and Brad Pitt are expecting twins. Jack Black, her co-star in the upcoming film Kung-Fu Panda, let the secret slip by referring to her pregnancy in the plural.

It is not confirmed, but it is rumored that the babies are girls. Angelina said that she is due "in a few months." Angelina told a Fox News reporter that she belives the twins are fraternal, because of a "line" on the sonogram. (I'd love to know more details about that because the statement doesn't make much sense. Generally a line could indicate a membrane, confirming that the fetuses are in separate sacs. That rules out monoamnionic twins. However, it doesn't mean that the twins can't be monozyogtic or identical. Only a minority of monozygotic twins are monoamnionic. Both dizygotic (fraternal) and monozygotic (identical) twins can have two placentas and be in separate sacs.)

The twins will be the fifth and sixth children for the celebrity couple, including three adopted children, (Maddox, 6, Pax, 4, and Zahara, 3), and a biological daughter, Shiloh, who turns 2 in a couple of weeks.

• More Celebrity Moms of Twins
• You're having twins! Now what?
• Identical or Fraternal? Understanding Zygosity

Everything's more fun when shared with a brother. Ryan and Rodney are fraternal twins. They were three years old in this picture. Meet them and other mulitples in the recently updated Photo Gallery.

One of the most challenging parenting periods for me was when my twins became mobile, at about ten months old. I was just getting the hang of things; they were sleeping well, eating fine, and generally happy. Then all of a sudden, they couldn't be contained. I couldn't turn my back for a minute! They were as fast as lightning and usually headed in opposite directions.

This phase of babyhood introduces a whole new realm of issues for parents of twins and multiples. Here are some tips on how to handle multiples on the move.

That's why God gave us two arms -- one for each twin! Here's wishing all mothers of multiples a truly happy Mother's Day. Including Mireille, mom of the Twins of the Week. JJ and Jezz are 9 1/2 month old twins from "the land of the smiles." (A Google search indicates that might be Thailand, but please let me know if that's incorrect.)

More Mother's Day:
• Mother's Day Photo Gallery
• Mother's Day on About.com
• Ten Things I Love About Being a Mom of Twins
• Famous Moms of Twins

From superstar singing sensations to award-winning actress, there are many famous mothers of twins. Can you name a Grammy winner ... Emmy winner ... Oscar winner and an Olympic gold medal winner that are also mothers of twins?

How about world leaders? A Queen of Egypt, First Lady of the United States, and a Prime Minister of England have all shared a bond as double duty moms. You'll find all of these -- and more -- in this list. Celebrate Mother's Day with these Famous Mothers of Twins.

These sweet sisters are sharing secrets. Diamond and Jade Wright are fraternal twins. Meet them and other multiples in the Photo Gallery.

From the message board forum:

My husband and I practiced co-sleeping with our twin daughters when they were born. (we had a big bed!) So, now the girls are almost 11 months old-and they STILL sleep with us. Which, I get, is totally my fault. But the problem is this-We have only one crib-really cannot afford a second one). So, I dont want to put them both in it-they smash each other enough as it is in our bed. BUT...they are still waking up usually about twice a night for each of them (at different times.) AND I want my bed back!!! Can anyone give me some advice? I am in need of sleep! ~ mommytobriandkai

What advice would you offer this sleepless mom? Click to comment or visit the message board to see what other parents are saying.
• Co-Sleeping with Twins & Multiples
• Lullaby Music to Help Babies Sleep
• Sleep Solutions for Toddler Twins