DOUBLE BONUS

DOUBLE BONUS
TWINS

Bringing them up
Each pair of twins must be treated as unique, with their own quirks and individualities. As your twins grow, be sensitive to their personalities. If they are close and share interests, there’s no harm. If they like to go their different ways, that’s fine too. Don’t force it either way.
When the twins arc infants, parents grapple with practical issues that ease up as they get older. Then come other, perhaps more serious concerns - such as to what extent you emphasis the “twin ness” and to what degree you recognise and encourage their individuality. Two tiny tots who look alike and dress alike look cute. But if their “twin ness” defines their identity completely, it may not be a happy situation; yet infant twins entertain each other and are comrades in every mischief. Don’t impose an arbitrary rule of separation - it’s unfair. But let your friend’s child feel free to invite one over to play while the other stays home and watches his favourite cartoon. In school, make sure they are in different sections. Use every opportunity to enhance their social skills so they can connect with their peers. They shouldn’t be so absorbed in a self-contained world as to result in unhealthy interdependence. Also avoid similar-sounding names, especially if they are identical - so Dolly-Molly, Sonu-Monu is out. It confuses people and hinders the twins’ individual growth. By the same logic, encourage them to dress differently at rimes as well.
To sum up, twin bonding or the lack of it is not axiomatic. Treat them as individuals - let their interests and creativities flourish