Encouraging Individuality in Twins/Multiples

4) Select individual activities.
 

As my daughters have gotten older, I have strongly encouraged them to seek out individual activities and interests. One plays basketball and takes art lessons, while the other takes dance and does karate. It's not that I prevent them from participating in activities together; they both compete on the same swim team and are in the same Brownie troop. But I think it's vitally important for each multiple to pursue an interest that is unique to them. While it may make for some complicated carpool scheduling, the benefits are invaluable, offering them an opportunity to develop individual talents and explore new relationships.

5) Encourage individual friendships and separate playdates.
 

Multiples are often each other's best friends, and that special relationship should be celebrated and cherished. But it shouldn't be an exclusive relationship. Encourage your children to develop their own friendships in a healthy way. Set up playdates for each one; we find it works well to schedule them concurrently -- one twin invites a friend to the house while the other visits a friend's house -- so that no one feels lonely or left out.