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An Expensive Proposition

Raising Twins Without Breaking the Bank

By Barb Eimer

From the moment you find out that your baby is not one but "many," everything changes. Of course, the first few moments are filled with awe, wonder and excitement. As a mother of twins myself, let me assure you that these feelings are quickly overshadowed by another emotion – panic!

First, there is the emotional strain. This isn't what you signed up for when you decided to become a parent! But after the initial shock wears off (for me this took about five years), an even bigger problem arises. How can you afford them? Won't it be twice as expensive to raise two children together? Not necessarily. Just because you are having twins doesn't mean you need twice as much.

Christina Baglivi Tinglof, author of Double Duty: The Parents' Guide to Raising Twins, From Pregnancy Through the School Years (McGraw-Hill, 1998), agrees. "There's such a misconception that you need two of everything," she says. "It's best to take a wait-and-see attitude. Buy one bouncy seat or Snuggly sack and see how your children react to it. If, for instance, you find by the second week that you can't survive without two bouncy seats, run out and buy another."

Something else that's important to know right from the start is that everything does not need to match, because matching almost always means buying new.

A good way to get what you want without paying for it is at a shower. Don't be shy about getting specific. If you want something expensive, like a twin stroller or baby swing, a few friends will probably be willing to go together to buy it.

Anne Muilman, a mother of three from Georgetown, Texas, suggests a diaper shower for mothers expecting multiples. Although Anne doesn't have twins, someone did this for her when her daughter was born, and she didn't have to buy diapers for four months! As the biggest ongoing expense in the first year will probably be diapers (and formula if you decide not to breastfeed), this will give you a head start.

Want to see more?

• My Baby Looks Like Who? One Mom's Less-than-perfect Surprise
• Two at Once: Pregnancy With Twins
• Harried Holidays: Making It Through the Season With Multiples
• Talk about it!

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