Moms of twins and other multiples deserve anything that helps make family life a bit more manageable. The following appliances and gadgets save time, money and effort around the house, giving busy moms more opportunity to relax and enjoy their kids.
1. Gizmo Cordless Can Opener
Moms of multiples are always being told "You must have your hands full!" Now Black and Decker makes at least one chore hands free: opening cans! Cordless portability means that you can bring the can opener to the can, wherever it may be. The Gizmo "walks" around the outside of the can as it opens, leaving Mom's hands free to attend to other things.
2. Swiffer WetJet
Let's face it, multiples make messes. Moms of multiples are constantly having to clean the floor. The Swiffer WetJet makes it faster and easier. Stick mops, like the WetJet or Clorox ReadyMop, have revolutionized this chore. Onboard cleaning solution means that you can target dirty spots, and the absorbent pad cleans and dries the floor in one motion. Throw away the dirty pad and walk away.3. Satellite Radio
What mom doesn't need music in her day? It's the little things that make us happy, and satellite radio is one little thing that provides big pleasure. Top notch stereo sound combines with a huge range of music and talk options to please every mom's ears. Turn up the volume to drown out twin tantrums or turn it down for soothing lullaby background music. Operate it with a remote control, keeping it out of the hands of curious little ones.4. Crock Pot
A crock pot, or slow cooker, is truly a life saver in the kitchen. It does the cooking for you, while you're busy doing other things. Load it up with ingredients in the morning, then sit down to a home cooked meal in the evening. Since the dinner prep time is typically a "horror hour" for young twins of multiples, a crock pot provides the ultimate dinner solution.5. Portable Steam Cleaner
Moms can never underestimate the messes their multiples make. No surface is safe from their spills. A portable steam cleaner like the Hoover SteamVac lets you attack those messes as soon as they happen, instead of calling on a cleaning company. The SteamVac was rated top notch by About's Guide to Stay at Home Parenting, and is noted for its ease of use and onboard attachments.6. Cordless Phone/Answering Machine
A good phone system will make life easier in numerous ways. Experienced moms know that kids' craziest crises always seem to happen when they're on the phone. Moms of younger multiples can't always leave their babies to answer calls. A cordless phone -- especially one with headset capability -- and a good answering system offer convenient solutions, letting moms stay in touch on their own terms.7. Roomba
It seems like a space-age fantasy: a robot vacuum cleaner that cleans up while you're occupied elsewhere. But now the Roomba is available and it just might revolutionize floor cleaning. It's designed to work with a variety of room sizes and floor types, covering floor space in a spiral pattern and even cleaning next to walls and under furniture. Sounds like a dream-come-true!8. KitchenAid Stand Mixer
This is another product that I value for its "hands free" capabilities. It's the only reason that I ever accomplished any baking when my twins were younger. Because you can add ingredients and walk away, a stand mixer saves lots of time and makes cooking convenient. But the KitchenAid brand is truly in a class by itself for its quality and reliability. The only way to mix it up with multiples.9. Hand Vacuum
Conquer crumbs! Demolish dirt! Prevail against pet hair! A hand vacuum is your knight in shining armor when it comes to sweeping up the debris of every day life with multiples. Look for a cordless model with quick recharge capabilities to keep cleaning power close at hand at all times, like the Dirt Devil Kone. Sure it works great, but it's elegant design is pretty enough to keep on display.10. Coffee Maker
The only way to survive life with multiples is to pamper yourself when you can. Nothing beats a good cup of coffee as a pick-me-up, whether as a morning perk for sleep-deprived parents or an evening wind-down before a well-deserved rest. Consider this Cuisinart coffee maker that not only brews the coffee, but grinds the beans also, giving you coffeehouse flavor from the comfort of home.