It’s no secret that when it comes to comparing Denver neighborhoods, Stapleton is the ‘king of kids.’ Stapleton has several families who have adopted kids, others who have multiples, and of course, some single child households and then many households who boast two, three, and four siblings. Everyone knows that raising kids is hard, but what type of household is the hardest? Stapleton has dozens and dozens of families with twins who believe they have it the most difficult. “It starts when they are babies,” said Stapleton resident with three year old twins Cindy McCoy. “We have to get their timing figured out with feeding, sleeping, and then taking them anywhere. It is just terribly difficult. Then, as they get older, they fight or throw fits at the same time. I love my kids, but I definitely think it would have been easier on us if we had them one to two years apart. I am so jealous of those non-twin people.”
Parents of regular siblings disagree. “Are you kidding me?” exclaims Nate Chickerneo. “At least people with twins can attempt to get them on the same schedule. With a four and two year old, one is taking naps, the other isn’t. Plus, they don’t always have the same interests to play with each other. I would much rather have had twins.” Resident David Lair agrees. “I have a six year old and an eight year old,” says Lair. “You know what that means? It means two Christmas concerts, two school plays, then driving them around to completely different age specific activities. With twins, you do all that crap once. Twins are easy.”
Family therapist Dr. Heather Sauer says that both types of families have their merits when it comes to which type of family is more challenging. “Each presents unique challenges,” says Sauer. “With twins, there is all sorts of opportunity for conflict with school, sports, friends, and relationships, which is not as common for non-twins. But, for regular siblings, getting them to interact with each other, finding things to do that both (or more) will enjoy, and worrying about the older one acting younger to get attention, or the younger one growing up too fast are all things that make raising regular siblings challenging.” Sauer says that there is no definitive right answer. “Like every situation, it depends on the kids, and depends on the parents.”
Mother of twins Rachel Herold disagrees with Dr. Sauer. “Well, the next time my three year old twins are fighting for my attention, ripping a toy out of the others hand, or both refusing to go to bed, I would love to have a regular sibling parent come over to see if they could handle the situation.” Brian Miller, parent of five and seven year old boys, says he would relish the opportunity. “I would love to step in in those situations,” said Miller. “And after I am solving that problem, a parent of twins can come over and figure out how to get my kids to each of their completely unique scheduled events. Then, when one has a friend over, explain to them that they have to let their brother play with them, too. Have fun with that.” There is no conclusive way to decide who has it easier, but the next time you are around people with multiples, or if you are one, make sure to start the discussion to see whose life really is the most difficult.
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