We approached parenting with an open mind and a loving heart, and have come a long way since welcoming our twin boys into the world in December 2007. We fought hard for them and were extremely fortunate to deliver them safely, albeit into the world of NICU’s tubes, bleeps and alarms. Birth stories may well be another post! We read lots of books, from ‘Supernanny‘ to Liedloff and have tentatively found ourselves flowing down a path towards conscious, attachment parenting... we value unconditional love, trust, time, freedom. At natural junctions in parenting and family life, we have made many positive decisions, mistakes, regressions and leaps into the unknown. Our third son's arrival in March 2011 has also helped to open our eyes, and inspired a greater trust in ourselves. Now we find ourselves at a new fork in the river. The decision to be made this time? Schooling. We are instinctively drawn towards the free-flowing, beautiful, somewhat intimidating stream that is home education. What will it mean for our children? What will it mean for our family?
For us, this blog is a way of documenting and reflecting on our journey as we take the lesser known pathway. It was my lovely husband’s idea (How will I find the time? Plus, we don’t even have broadband at home!) but after some consideration I think that it will be good for us to map our thoughts and I can add to a post bit by bit.
Tom has written a little introduction to our 3 boys: Hugo, Charlie and Rupert
Who is DaddyTom?
"I am a daddy to three fantastic boys, and husband to the most amazing woman I have ever met. My parenting style is fundamentally based upon respecting my children and treating them in a way that I think they would like to be treated. Astonishingly simple in theory and impossibly hard in practice, but I do my best. Sometimes, I also manage to treat their mummy with as much love too, although she manages to show plenty of patience between these times.
So, why have we called the blog Gently Parenting Twins? Well, the name wasn't already taken for a start; I think that's because there aren't many other people trying to do this. When Hugo and Charlie were little, we were bombarded with ideas on how to deal with this 'problem', including strict routines and firm control measures. We had our own ideas, inspired by books such as the Continuum Concept, Unconditional Parenting and Why Love Matters and blogs about crafty ideas and unschooling principles.
Younger brother Rupert hasn't had a look in as far as the blog's name is concerned, but hopefully benefits from all of the hard hours we have put into learning to become the parents we are now. The learning process never stops though, so join me in seeing how things unfold from here, you may even want to contribute…
P.S. Why daddytom? Because that is what Hugo, and sometimes Charlie, used to call me. Hugo still calls me Tom sometimes, but I'm usually just daddy now."
Who is Syenna?
Well I promise I will write more about myself when I find the time and courage!
Have a look at the rest of the blog, and do leave comments and suggestions :)
Tom has written a little introduction to our 3 boys: Hugo, Charlie and Rupert
Who is DaddyTom?
"I am a daddy to three fantastic boys, and husband to the most amazing woman I have ever met. My parenting style is fundamentally based upon respecting my children and treating them in a way that I think they would like to be treated. Astonishingly simple in theory and impossibly hard in practice, but I do my best. Sometimes, I also manage to treat their mummy with as much love too, although she manages to show plenty of patience between these times.So, why have we called the blog Gently Parenting Twins? Well, the name wasn't already taken for a start; I think that's because there aren't many other people trying to do this. When Hugo and Charlie were little, we were bombarded with ideas on how to deal with this 'problem', including strict routines and firm control measures. We had our own ideas, inspired by books such as the Continuum Concept, Unconditional Parenting and Why Love Matters and blogs about crafty ideas and unschooling principles.
Younger brother Rupert hasn't had a look in as far as the blog's name is concerned, but hopefully benefits from all of the hard hours we have put into learning to become the parents we are now. The learning process never stops though, so join me in seeing how things unfold from here, you may even want to contribute…
P.S. Why daddytom? Because that is what Hugo, and sometimes Charlie, used to call me. Hugo still calls me Tom sometimes, but I'm usually just daddy now."
Well I promise I will write more about myself when I find the time and courage!
Have a look at the rest of the blog, and do leave comments and suggestions :)
I came across this blog while researching a feature on co-sleeping. I'm a mum of 2 boys myself, and also a journalist. I'm writing a piece on co-sleeping and attachment parenting. I wonder if you could contact me on sophie@starstrucknews.com so we could chat? Many thanks, Sophie
ReplyDeleteNIce to see other parents co-sleeping with twins. I'm mum to four girls, including a set of twins. I've co-slept with all mine; I'm currently co-sleeping with my twins. My situation looks like this: me laying on my back in the middle with two stiff, plump pillows pushed up against each of my sides to support my arms. I hold a baby in each arm. It's the only way we get sleep and the three of us enjoy the closeness. Cheers :-) Tulani
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