The question
I have twins, one year and three months old, and my attention is divided between them. I face many problems, among them: the temper of one of them, his constant screaming and intense crying, and his frequent outbursts of anger against his brother, who can't defend himself.
My main problem is the behaviour of the first twin, his anger, whining, and indescribable crying — an indescribable sharpness.
Also, since they are twins and I'm pregnant and will give birth soon, someone else will care for them in this period. I'm afraid for them, afraid of separating from them in this two-year stage — but there's no escaping it.
How do I deal with them and reduce these problems?
Our answer
May Allah preserve you and bless you.
First, you must get the Toddler Guide for the two-year-old — it covers this age stage. You'll find it on the Jeel channel here:
https://t.me/jeelaseyada/585
I advise you to take the whole curriculum — it has educational cards and tarbawi ideas it's important for you to look into. Download the entire curriculum from the channel:
https://t.me/jeelaseyada/678
A child usually cries for a reason: hunger, discomfort or a need for cleanliness, a feeling of loneliness and dissatisfaction, or pain and illness. You must distinguish between the cases. Sometimes a calm response is all that's needed: carry him and calm him a little, then put him somewhere where he can see you so he doesn't feel separation and desolation, and provide helpful toys to keep him company.
Do not get him used to being carried all the time. This is a mistake. Make carrying a means of calming him and for need only. The rest of the time, put him in his chair or his designated space.
The matter of taking toys: you must train yourself for this, especially since boys have play styles that can be rough and confrontational. So you must teach your son gradually how to play, and how to share. There's no harm in giving him a toy like his brother's. He doesn't need to feel he must take his brother's toy. Especially since they are twins, it's better to provide them with the same toys. When he takes from his brother — since he wants it — put another toy in his brother's hand. He is still too young to understand the principle of rights, but follow up with the Toddler Guide; you'll find directions that help you handle this case as they grow.
Don't try to please the twins and chase their crying feelings. Rather, impose an atmosphere of harmony on them. Offer them a new, different toy, for example. Shift their focus from a toy by another action: by leaving the room, going on a small tour to another space, discovering something else.
The presence of another pregnancy requires you to learn more of the methods and means of tarbiyah, so please start with the Guide, and message us with any difficulties you face. May Allah delight your eyes with righteous, blessed offspring.
Have a parenting question of your own? Contact us, or follow our Telegram channel: @estesharatjeel