Homeschooling twins presents a unique set of joys and challenges. However, I believe the benefits and blessings definitely outweigh those challenges.
Learning Together
As a mother of five including two sets of twin boys, my greatest joy in homeschooling is seeing them learn together. They are each other’s best friends and I wouldn’t have it any other way! They read to each other, play educational games together, quiz each other on Bible verses, help each other with math facts, and together come up with lots of fun adventures. Watching them work together truly warms my heart and brings a smile to my face!
Not Carbon Copies
As much as I love that they get to spend so much time learning together, one of my greatest challenges in homeschooling twins is not treating them like “twins.” Just because they are twins, does not mean that they are carbon copies of each other. While they may look the same, that by no means suggests that they learn the same way, excel in the same areas, or are interested in the same things. This requires me tailoring my lesson plans to meet their individual interests and learning styles.
For example, one of my 7 year old twins is very meticulous and methodical. Everything must be done in order and he gets frustrated if he can’t complete an assignment correctly and in its entirety. He takes special care to make sure that his work is flawless. He is perfectly content to sit at a desk and complete bookwork. My other 7 year old twin is quite the opposite. Very much a free spirit, it doesn’t bother him one bit to leave an assignment undone or out of order. However, he is excellent at solving problems and thinking outside the box. His creativity never ceases to amaze me and he thrives in hands-on learning situations!
Twin Boys = Built in Competition
Because of their differences, it can sometimes be difficult for them when one excels in an area and the other does not. Twin boys = built in competition! This provides opportunities for me to find creative ways to reaffirm each of them in their God-given strengths, talents, gifts, and abilities! Each child is special and deserves to be treated as such…even if they share the exact same birthday with someone who looks just like them!
Doubly…Doubly Blessed
As a mother of two sets of twins, I often hear the old cliché, “double trouble” with the addition: “double trouble times two.” However, I feel doubly…doubly blessed and fortunate to homeschool my children because of the joys and in spite of the challenges!
More Homeschooling Moms of Twins
For more information on the joys and challenges of homeschooling twins, visit the iHomeschool Network to read about Mary and Ticia (fellow homeschooling mother’s of twins)!
