Get advice from the Meet The Multiples mums
Looking after one child is hard enough, let alone three or four!
We asked two mums from Meet the Multiples why they got involved in the series, and how they found the time to take part.
EMILY
Emily is mum to quads Kaylee, Jessie, Leo and Carrie. She was drawn to the series because she was keen to show the positive side of looking after quads. "I enjoy taking part in new adventures. And I also wanted people to see that having quads is fun and not all hard work". However, filming while looking after four babies did have its moments. "I got distracted at times and missed certain aspects to do with the tot's care that made the scenarios feel more stressful."
But Emily's not one to rest on her laurels. Now filming is over, there's no time to relax. This year the family are looking forward to moving house and their first holiday together. So what advice would Emily give to other mums expecting multiple babies? "The first year will be hard work. It's physically and emotionally draining but it does get easier as your children get more independent... and fun. It really is special, so enjoy!"
MEGAN
Megan is mum to triplets Isaac, Fergus and William. She saw the programme as a great way of remembering the early days. "We thought the series would be a snapshot of our lives to look back on and a source of great embarrassment for the children when they grow up!" Like Emily, she found filming could be problematic. "Apart from the babies constantly trying to destroy ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ equipment, they all seemed overly cheerful whenever the camera was on. The second the crew went home it was miserable faces all round. Everyone watching will think this triplet lark is a doddle!"
Things have moved on since with Fergus and Isaac now on the move. "I feel like I'm constantly breaking up tussles over toys," says Megan. "I've also had my first day back at work and I'm rediscovering the joy of a dedicated lunch break! Oh, and holding a conversation without simultaneously having to wipe a bottom."
Megan urges mums-to-be to get organised. "Firstly, don't panic! Actually that's a lie, you're entitled to a panicky period while you adjust to the idea that you're growing a litter. Then get as organised as you can to make life a tiny bit easier when the babies arrive," she says. "Learn to accept help; I used to accost friendly looking people to help me feed the babies when I was out and about. People were delighted to help (I think!)" She also recommends finding other twin or triplet mums to compare notes with.
"And lastly, feel really proud of yourself. Making one baby is special enough but growing more than one is a miracle of human engineering."
You can watch Emily and Megan in Meet the Multiples at 9pm Tuesday 26 April.
Meet The Multiples is part of the Bringing Up Britain season.
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We asked two mums from Meet the Multiples why they got involved in the series, and how they found the time to take part.
EMILY
Emily is mum to quads Kaylee, Jessie, Leo and Carrie. She was drawn to the series because she was keen to show the positive side of looking after quads. "I enjoy taking part in new adventures. And I also wanted people to see that having quads is fun and not all hard work". However, filming while looking after four babies did have its moments. "I got distracted at times and missed certain aspects to do with the tot's care that made the scenarios feel more stressful."
Meet The Multiples: Emily and Simon with their children
MEGAN
Megan is mum to triplets Isaac, Fergus and William. She saw the programme as a great way of remembering the early days. "We thought the series would be a snapshot of our lives to look back on and a source of great embarrassment for the children when they grow up!" Like Emily, she found filming could be problematic. "Apart from the babies constantly trying to destroy ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ equipment, they all seemed overly cheerful whenever the camera was on. The second the crew went home it was miserable faces all round. Everyone watching will think this triplet lark is a doddle!"
Things have moved on since with Fergus and Isaac now on the move. "I feel like I'm constantly breaking up tussles over toys," says Megan. "I've also had my first day back at work and I'm rediscovering the joy of a dedicated lunch break! Oh, and holding a conversation without simultaneously having to wipe a bottom."
Meet The Multiples: Megan and Mark with their children
"And lastly, feel really proud of yourself. Making one baby is special enough but growing more than one is a miracle of human engineering."
You can watch Emily and Megan in Meet the Multiples at 9pm Tuesday 26 April.
Meet The Multiples is part of the Bringing Up Britain season.
Add your comment.
Comment number 1.
At 26th Apr 2011, carolinepike wrote:i loved the show, as a triplet mum myself, it really showed
how hard and rewarding it is and how important that having a routine is that some just dont understand, sweet dreams xxx
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Comment number 2.
At 26th Apr 2011, Ruth wrote:Hi Emily!
Don't know if you will remember me, but I was in the Rosie opposite you the week before you were due for your c section?? It was lovely to see your beautiful brood! My two were born on the 14th May and I must say I did think of you a few times in those early weeks when I was hanging, thinking, how on earth does she do it with 4!!?? I cant believe they are all going to be 2 soon - where has the time gone??!! Ruth xx
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Comment number 3.
At 26th Apr 2011, Onadietcokebreak wrote:Firstly hats off to all of you- I couldn't do it!
Emily - I couldn't help but notice how badly the little ones were strapped in. Their shoulders were almost out of the harness in the first clip. It made me so worried for them.
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Comment number 4.
At 26th Apr 2011, Fiwee wrote:Loved this programme, great to see all the gorgeous twins, triplets and quads. I have 21 month old twins and it now seems like a doddle! Seriously though, it was great to see such a positive picture of multiple families, all the hard work and the fun as well.
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Comment number 5.
At 27th Apr 2011, daddio1 wrote:Hi,
Thought the programme is brilliant.
Just wanted somebody to please tell Emily to strap her kids in to their child seats properly. None of them had their shoulder straps on their shoulders!!
If she was to be involved in an accident the children would suffer awful injuries. There are no excuses for not strapping them in properly!
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Comment number 6.
At 2nd May 2011, Kezza wrote:I'm a twin, (4th in a family of 5 siblings). I appreciate my mother even more now and understand a little better about what she had to go through. I'm 32 and she had all 5 by this age.
One theme I noticed about how the parents dealt with the babies is competition. This is the one thing that made me compete with my twin and I dont think its healthy for them. I've met over 20 twins in my lifetime and the ones that are the bestest of friends are the ones that do not compete.
If competition works for their development then help them develop their unique identities and never let one of them be responsible for the other. We feel responsible for each other our whole lives anyways...
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Comment number 7.
At 16th May 2011, Triplet Mummy wrote:Well done to all the families that took part in this, you are doing a great job and are super parents. Its really hard work and so few understand! I have 17 month old triplets and I was looking forward to the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s insight into our world but can't help feeling a bit disappointed that you missed the opportunity to highlight a few more of the issues. Although there are more multiples being born, we are still very much a minority and the assistance and help required is often not readily available.
I know its difficult to cover everything in just an episode, but perhaps you could work on this good start and do another episode focussing on issues like often triplets are split between different hospitals due to special needs and parents have to split their time. Triplet mums are often house bound as they can't physically get out with all three and then there the constant public interest in your children and the fact that going out and round the shops without 80 questions is almost impossible!!!
Anyway, good start ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ - best wishes to all multiple mummy and daddy's out there.
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Comment number 8.
At 16th May 2011, angelstwins5 wrote:I am a single mother of 5 , two sets of twins , i did enjoy watching how others cope with multiples ,
but after watching the 1st show i think it is safe to say i must have the best kids in the world.
i found dealing with two sets of twins a breeze and i have done it alone my husband left me when i was 5 months pregnant with the 2nd set ,
I did find Emily (sorry) to be a bit over the top just because she had to move 5 miles away, i move 50 miles away from friends and family, yes it can be a bit daunting but you just tell yourself this is it and get on with it. i walked the 25 minutes every day to take two of the boys to nursery ( a 5 min car ride) i walked every where shopping , schools and even got a bike in the end, taxi was not an options due to cost.
if you must then please strap them in properly ,
my twins are now 5 and 8 and there sister 15 i had no help from family and friends with a routine to can achieve any thing
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Comment number 9.
At 26th Sep 2011, kelly wrote:hey guys thankyou for your comments im kelly im the mum from leeds with the new born tripets and toddler. i really thin they could of shown more cos they were filming for weeks and to triple mummy i agree about how hard it is to get out and about as u are really limited on what prams you can get but thanks for watching xx
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