You know the old saying, "Two heads are better than one"? That certainly seems to be the case with multiples and their messes. Where one kid can certainly wreak some havoc, when you get two twins, three triplets, four quads or more together, their messes can be monumental. With helping hands to share the work and bravado fueled by encouraging siblings, parents of multiples have to be ready to face their share of disasters.
In seconds, they can empty a toy box or a pantry of all its contents. Give them momentary access to markers or pens and no surface is safe. Walls, furniture, lampshades, even family pets will receive a dose of decoration. Unattended food will be used for all manners of art projects, from painting to sculpture. And let's not even think about the "potty" messes. Tag-teaming twins can dismantle their diapers in no time, exposing the messy contents for easy distribution.
It's not just teamwork that escalates the mess factor. Multiples are masters of the art of distraction. While one child holds mom's attention by pleading for a snack in the kitchen, the other is dismantling the sofa cushions in the living room. When Mom turns to restore order in the living room, the twins unload all the pots and pans from the kitchen cabinets. Mess accomplished!
And don't expect multiples to feel guilty about their mess. Their shared "we" conscience means there is no individual accountability. It's never "my" fault. Who made this mess? Not me! Not me! "We" did it... "We" is that understood yet undefinable third party product of having multiples, the shared consciousness that prompts them to action yet never takes the blame.
From everyday playroom mayhem to caustic carpet catastrophes, every parent of multiples has a tale to tell about a harrowing mess and the unpleasant clean up that followed. Hopefully, they have stocked up on Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and have access to a steam cleaner. Keep these tips for stain removal handy and remember, "This TWO shall pass!"
