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Twin club goes from strength to strength

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

A UNIQUE club for twins and their parents recently celebrated its first successful year in operation on the Southside. Since the twin club in Rathfarnham was launched last winter it has been going from strength to strength. Over the last year the group has welcomed more than 60 sets of proud parents, parents-to-be, grandparents and childminders to their meetings with all sharing just one thing in common - multiple birth children. The club offers a chance for parents to meet other people with similar experiences of bringing up ‘multiples’ and to share their perspectives. Many parents of twins, triplets and quads can experience difficulties due to the higher rates of premature births and postnatal depression associated with multiple births. Siobhan McQuaid, a founding member of the Rathfarnham club, explained to Southside People that all parents with multiple birth children are welcome to come along and find out what is ahead of them. “It’s great to have a resource like this for parents of twins and multiple births,” she said. “This time last year there really was nothing for us. “Now, there is a place for parents who have experienced the unique problems that can be associated with having more than one newborn child to look after to share their experience.” She added: “It can be a shock to parents when they lose their sleep caring for twins or who have to deal with premature births, which have a much higher percentage rate among twins. “Parents often don’t know that other people are going through the same things until they meet up and talk about it.” The group is happy to see new faces and encourages people to come along to their monthly meet ups. “Recently we had a speech therapist talking about language development in twins and multiples and had a great turnout of almost 60 parents and babies,” she said. “Toys and other toddlers are of course a welcome distraction for the many children of all ages from four weeks up to four years who come along. “It’s a very welcoming environment and a great way to establish parent to parent support.” Meetings take place from 10.30am to 12pm in Marley Grange Parish Centre opposite Marley Park. To cover room hire costs and insurance there is a charge of e3 per family for Irish Multiple Births Association members and e5 per family for non-members. A new twin and multiples club is also starting up in Tallaght. All parents of twins, triplets or more welcome. Tel 4936165 for more information.