Twinspiration: Real-Life Advice From Pregnancy Through the First Year

by Cheryl Lage

A hybrid of prescriptive "how-to" guidebook and intimate diary, Twinspiration recounts with unabashed personal detail the tribulations and triumphs of a twin pregnancy and first year of life with twins. Incorporating a conversational, humorous tone throughout, Cheryl Lage provides a double dose of user-friendly suggestions, real-life advice, and heartfelt empathy.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2005

Reviews

[Kelly Espinzoa]

Some think this book is a little too 'fluffy', but I liked it. The author gave practical advice from her own experience. It really helped to envision what life would be like when the babies were here so that we could prepare appropriately.

[Nellie Bewley]

So wonderful!! If you're having twins she has the most valuable information. It's practical AND well written. The author has a wry sense of humor and is honest about the real needs of a mother of twins.

[Cat]

I felt like this book was poorly researched and although it had a lot of very valuable real life advice, it would have been much better if she had put her own experiences in a larger context.

[Cassie]

This was an ok read while I was pregnant with the twins. It seemed a little impractical after they arrived.

I did like the fact that she emphasized being ok with breastfeeding or not based on ones own experiences. That was a really sensitive subject with me since I was unsuccessful at it.

In fact, she was very insistent that parents do what works for them and that was comforting.

I found it a little patronizing, though. She spelled out how to do things that I think are really self explanatory, like how to open the door while wielding a twin stroller. And she talks about bringing the babies in the bathroom, in their bouncy seats, so you can take a shower. I personally needed that break and found it just as easy to put them in their crib for the ten minutes it took to shower.

I also found the language to be cumbersome, not exactly sure how else to describe it. If I had my copy with me I would give an example.

Overall it was a fun read while waiting for my babies' arrival.

[Karen Leonard]

Practical advice from the author's experience. Such as, how to grocery shop with a stroller and a cart by yourself, what kinds of questions you'll be asked by strangers about your twins (so you're prepared for them), etc. She does well trying to help you focus on taking things one day at a time, looking at the big picture, not beating yourself up or holding yourself to the standards of others.

Very simplistic overall. Not sure how much I really gained. I was looking for twin-specific advise so skipped parts that I felt I already knew from having singleton babies on the past.

Slightly annoying was her use of made-up words that combine 'twin' and any word that starts with 'in'. E.g. Twindividual, Twinspiration, Twinspire.

[Kami]

I loved this book. Finally a book that gives technical information, tips and advice, plus it was positive and encouraging. (I hate reading over and over how hard having twins is. I believe it is hard a lot of work, but there must be a lot of good moments mixed in there too.) I wanted to give it 5 stars, but something held me back. I am not sure what it was, I couldn't figure it out, but since the doubt was there, only 4 stars this time. But if you ever need information on pregnancy, delivery, and the first year with twins, I highly recommend this book.

[Maggie]

This book was written by a mother of fraternal boy/girl twins. Not a doctor or a nurse or anything, although she did give some medical information. There were definitely some useful bits but it was totally written from the perspective of first-born twins (which was the case for her). A lot of the information was just new-parents stuff which I skimmed over. She did have helpful ideas about how to feed twins at the same time, how to get them in and out of cars and buildings easily, and how to approach sleep.

[Nicole]

I needed a book to help me with the juggling and maintenence of two babies. This book only goes to the first year. A lot of the book comes from a perspective of never having children before. Helps mothers that are staring from scratch. I already had 2 children before my twins. I just skipped to the parts that I needed. It thuroughly helped me get through the first year. I might need to find one on how to potty trains twins now.

[Nicole]

This book provided a great glimpse of life with twins. She gave practical and detailed advice, from where exactly to put the carseats, to what to do to improve your mindset if you're feeling overwhelmed. I appreciated her supportive and positive tone. This would be best for first time moms, I'm not sure if it would be helpful for parents who have already been through pregnancy and infancy of other children.

[Jen]

Being 23 weeks pregnant with twins, this is a book I've been reading in small chunks, since probably reading all the information at once would freak me out completely. I enjoy Lage's voice and her reassurance throughout, especially with some of the later on day-to-day tasks that I've been wondering about. There's also a nice section on twin pregnancy that's been coming in handy, since this one is definitely different than my singleton pregnancy!

[Megan]

This book is mainly for first time Mom's I think. I know I was paranoid too the first time around but wow this woman was sooooo paranoid! That was the main impression I got from this book. But it was fun to read a first hand account of someone going through the whole twin process-I'm so excited!!!

[Lindsay]

I think I just didn't connect with the author of this book. It had some good advice, but i struggled to find new content that was practical. We'll see once the babies arrive. It was also so focused on fraternal twins.

[Jess (Shepherdjel)]

This is a book that I would definitely recommend if you are expecting twins! Great advice and tips to read before your little ones arrive! Very honesty advice and answers to all questions, even ones people normally don't want to hear.

[Helen]

Excellent book, real-life advice from a mother of twins, just what I was looking for.

[Heather]

Practical advice about twins mixed in with a good dose of humor.

[Amanda]

A great personal look at twins, it's so true to what life will be like.

[Tracy Miller]

Just brilliant. Anybody that is expecting twins should read this book. I have recommended it countless times over.

[Elizabeth]

Loved reading this when I was pregnant with twins! While it was only one mom's experience, it was still a very welcome read.

[Ruby]

Although no book can prepare you for the journey of twin-child raising, Lage comforts you with information, suggestions and insight into the adventure known as parenthood.

[Amber]

Very informative but sometimes overwhelming. I checked this out from the library, but will probably get my own copy at some point.

[Jaspreet]

OK book. there are better books in market