Raising Twins: Parenting Multiples From Pregnancy Through the School Years

by Shelly Vaziri Flais

Pediatrician and twin-mom, Dr. Shelly Vaziri Flais, offers expert advice for raising healthy, well-adjusted twins and triplets in this fully revised and updated third edition. Her guidance will help parents of multiples prepare for their babies’ arrival, weather the first few months of infancy, manage toddlerhood, and help establish individual identities through the school-age and teenage years. The combination of sound medical advice and real-world experience will give twin-parents the direction and reassurance that they need. Packed with thoughtful advice, parenting tips, and anecdotes from twin-moms and -dads, this new edition also includes interviews with twins, including astronaut Scott Kelly.

Genres: Parenting

283 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2019

About the author

Shelly Vaziri Flais M.D. F.A.A.P. is the author of the American Academy of Pediatrics book, "Raising Twins, From Pregnancy to Preschool– Advice from a Pediatrician Mom of Twins." She is a board-certified pediatrician, wife, and mother of four, including identical twin boys. Dr. Flais trained at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine as well as Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has learned the most from her four kids, all born within the span of four years.

In addition to her AAP book, Dr. Flais has written for "Twins" and "Chicago Parent" magazines. She has been interviewed for "Parents," "Parenting," and "Healthy Children," as well as various radio and TV outlets. Dr. Flais was honored to be named an iParenting.com Mom of the Month in August 2009.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Parents of twins learn so much through the process, but we learn just as much about ourselves as we learn about our children.”

This was a phenomenal read for parents of multiples. The author, Shelly Flais, is a pediatrician and a mom of four, including identical twin boys.

The book is split into chapters discussing everything from twin pregnancy and birth to parenting twins through the each developmental stage. It even includes chapters on emotional support and preparing for a NICU stay for pre-term babies.

Practical advice is woven throughout, along with tips from experienced twin parents. However, she also stresses having to do what works for your family, as no two sets of twins or families are the same.

I appreciated her sharing about the importance of balancing celebrating the special twin bond while also nurturing each child’s individuality.

Would highly recommend!

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great practical guide for any new parents of twins, written by a pediatrician. I don’t agree with some of the guidance in this book when it comes to behavior management (emphasis on ignoring & time outs), so deducting a star purely for that. This would be a great resource otherwise for any new parents of twins who are looking for a practical read.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only the last two chapters seem applicable to twins older than one.