My kids are not at all shy and are very independent. I can leave them at babysitters' houses, childcare, school, camp and they never seem to look back--as long as the other one is with them.
I imagine this is what it must be like for those with twins. As far as my kids are concerned, they have always had the other one around. My son was only 15 1/2 months when his sister was born so "his world" has always included her. Now I won't attribute their outgoing nature and independence to Baby Bunching, that I'm sure has been a result of moving many, many times and having to adapt and make friends quickly. But I do think having each other makes it easier when the environment does change.
This summer I had the chance to see them rise to the occasion with being left--almost anywhere.
Summer Camp #1: Took the kids down to see my parents in Richmond. We signed them up for morning camp at a strange place. I was sure my daughter would flip out the minute I left. Nope. As long as her brother was within sight, she was fine.
Wegmans' Child Care: This is "we babysit while you grocery shop." (Can you think of a better idea?) I wasn't sure if my kids would go for this drop off. Nope. As long as they were together, it didn't matter that I wasn't there.
Summer Camp #2: Dropped them both off the first day, they were in separate groups. I was sure she would flip. They seemed comforted knowing the other one was without sight.
Ikea's Smaland (babysitting while you shop): Again, my kids couldn't get in the ball pit fast enough and actually cried when I came to get them because they weren't done playing.
Summer Camp #3 (Ok, I know you think I overdosed on summer camp, but can you blame me?): I dropped them both off the first day. They both told me to go away so they could play with their friends. They were in the same group and I KNOW that helped.
Today at an outing at a local farm my daughter says to me: "Mom, can you just wait here so Alex and I can go pick peaches. We'll be OK just the two of us."
Sniff sniff....I was almost sad, but relieved that my kids really felt that good being with just each other. School starts in a month and I hope it will be a very easy transition since they will be across the hall from each other during the morning.
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