Seems to be that time of the year again...the great debate looms large for many of us parents of multiples. Should we or shouldn't we separate our twins (or more!) in school? For many of us with kids in preschool, it has never really been an issue as many of the schools only had one classroom anyway. But now, they're about to enter Kindergarten and the questions come up from every direction it seems - from other parents, from current schoolteachers, from the school administration.
I swear that a few years ago, fellow moms with twins around the same age as mine had all sworn that we would keep our twins together in the same class come that crucial year – Kindergarten! We were armed with research and statistics that indeed, keeping twins in the same classroom in Kindergarten would certainly help, not hurt them…as many misinformed, misled school officials would have you believe. In fact, there is no research that proves that separating twins at Kindergarten would improve their sense of self, individuality. This idea was put forth by a psychologist based solely on his personal opinion, with no research or experience to back it up.
Many school officials somehow took this as gospel and instituted, albeit unwritten, policies that all twins must be separated at Kindergarten. Well, this has irked many a parent of multiples. And at parents of multiples clubs like Gemini Crickets, members have made sure that other members with younger twins know that this “policy” is bogus and certainly something you, as the parent that knows your multiples better than anyone else, should know and challenge, if necessary.
So, there I was, standing with fellow moms of twins (figuratively speaking, of course), ready to take on the battle. Armed with the knowledge and links to related research, I was biding my time until my girls reached that age. But now, as I look to each side of me, I find I am alone. Many of my fellow twins parents have all but abandoned the fight. What happened?
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