By Jillian Fennimore, Staff
Writer
GateHouse News Service
Thu May 24, 2007, 09:38 AM EDT
WATERTOWN, MA -
Parents of twins not only see double, but they have twice the
amount of responsibility.
Parents of triplets or more? Well, that’s a whole other
ball game.
In Watertown, a playgroup where parents of multiple children
can bring their kids to socialize and share those experiences
has helped bring local families together.
“It’s nice to be in a playgroup where chaos is accepted,”
said Shannon Lawn, a mother of five, including 2-year-old triplets.
“You can’t keep three kids sitting all the time.”
Jeff Campbell, a father of three, said raising twin boys has
been a handful, and their personalities are coming to the surface:
Aidan is more to himself; Brendan has become the active one.
“It’s around the clock a lot more,” said Campbell.
Hosted by Thom Charles River Early Intervention Program and
the Watertown Family Network, the forum for parents, caregivers
and their kids has put everyone on the same page when it comes
to the joys and challenges of raising twins and triplets.
“When you have twins and triplets, getting out is much
more difficult,” said Early Intervention Director Lorraine
Sanik. “This is a nice way to get to know people from
the community. Parents get a chance to talk to each other.”
Walking into the basement floor of St. James’ Armenian
Church, one can easily pick apart the siblings of the bunch
— 17-month-old girls in denim overalls and pink shirts;
2-year-old twin boys in striped Ts and smiles; purple and orange
tops depicting the difference between 3-year-old, dark-haired,
bright-eyed sisters.
“With parents of twins and multiples, there’s a
strong network out there,” said Stacey Keane, program
development specialist for Early Intervention.
Thom Charles River Early Intervention, a state and federally
mandated service under the Department of Public Health, has
been a family-centered, developmental organization since 1921.
They offer early intervention and support for children from
birth to 3-year-olds who have developmental difficulties due
to disabilities or whose development is at risk due to certain
birth or environmental circumstances. They serve families from
Watertown, Waltham, and Belmont, and also work in collaboration
with the Watertown Family Network under the Department of Education.
Sanik said this is the last year for the playgroup, which launched
in 2005. There won’t be any more playgroup meetings unless
another grant comes along to fund the program. WEIL Foundation
of Newton and the Shishmanian Fellowship previously paid for
the group, its staffing, materials and rental cost at St. James.
Sanik, along with many other parents in the playgroup, said
they hope to see it return again soon. One thing all parents
can agree on is that no matter what, it’s been a blessing.
Sharing stories with others on the same boat is certainly helpful,
said Armando Ortega, a father of 3-year-old fraternal twin girls,
Natalia and Isabel.
“It’s great for us who are going through the same
challenges,” he said.
Lena Joubanian of Watertown said her 17-month-old girls, Michelle
and Sarah, are just starting to branch out from each other.
The playgroup has taught them to be more sociable.
“It’s a lot of work,” she said.
Once the toys are put away, the session ends with sing-alongs
and quiet time, while parents sit with their children in their
laps.
Looking around the room, they know they all share a common bond.
“It’s about sharing the experience of being parents
of twins and multiples,” said Keane. “The experience
is overwhelming. These children are learning to share at a young
age, and if you set the room up right, it all naturally comes
together.”
Contact Early Intervention
For more information, contact Thom Charles River Early Intervention
at 411 Waverley Oaks Road, Building #3, Suite 305 in Waltham,
or call 781-894-6564.
