This was originally published by MOST member Riley D. Smith in Supertwins magazine’s Father’s Forum.
For several years now I have wanted to put into writing what my personal journey as the father of a wonderful set of quadruplets has entailed. It seems that I just never really had the time, or, more likely, had not known just what I really wanted to convey. I actually did, over the course of the last eight years, sit down several times and start to write it all down, but my attempts (for whatever reason) quickly became either blocked or rapidly got bogged down in the details of this pretty hectic life we lead! Finally I decided that what I really wanted to talk about was what I personally went through, how I coped (or didn’t cope so well) with the numerous issues we were confronted with, and how I might help some of the other fathers (and fathers-to-be) meet and perhaps understand these challenges. Along the way, I was hoping that I might even learn a bit more about myself and the “how and whys” that life as the father of higher order multiples has changed me and the way I view myself as well as life in general. Continue reading It’s OK to Cry (My Journey with Higher Order Multiples)
 There is much to do after experiencing a flood, fire, tornado or hurricane. It may feel overwhelming. Here are some practical tips from families that have experienced a disaster to help you get back on your (many) feet!
After taking care of your immediate needs: medical care, shelter, food and water it is time to look at recovery. How will you rebound? Continue reading Rebounding from a Disaster
Parenting multiples isn’t always easy, but for families who have one or more children with special needs, it can be extra tough. To provide additional support for these families, MOST started a special needs program and private group on the Family Support Forums. Whether the child or children have medical challenges, physical challenges, or educational challenges, parents are welcome! To learn more about the program and read a message from the program’s first coordinator, visit our birthday page.
 Maureen Boyle light-heartedly describes three “languages” parents of multiples learn at the beginning of their parenting journey.
A 1980’s song by the group Men at Work just came on the radio. (What the heck am I listening to anyway?) Not sure how many top 40 songs they had back in their day, but this is the only one I can think of: Land Down Under – Man at work – YouTube. Sometimes I don’t mind when a song gets stuck in my head and I just cannot shake it. This is NOT one of those songs.
While at work that day, I start thinking of how many different languages I have had to learn since this whole higher order multiples (HOM) world collided with my own back in the late 1980’s. (Maybe that was the last time I listened to top 40 radio. I don’t know.)
Almost 86% of triplet parents and 96% of parents of quadruplets had to learn at least a little “RE Speak” Continue reading Do you speak my language?
 April was Multiple Birth Awareness Month and Autism Awareness Month. Our poll question was Are you a parent of multiples with one or more children on the autism spectrum?
With an estimated prevalence of autism in the United States now 1 in 88, MOST was interested in our families experiences.
Over 200 families responded to our question, with the following results. Fifty four families that responded stated they have Continue reading On the autism spectrum? Poll results April 2012
 Whether your children are babies or grown, many parents ask “Does parenting multiples ever get easier?” Maureen A. Doolan Boyle, MOST Executive Director, gives her thoughts to this often asked question.
Continue reading Does Parenting Multiples Ever Get Easier?
 Dr Goldstein, Maureen Boyle, Dr Jana Maureen A. Doolan Boyle, Executive Director of MOST (Mothers of Supertwins) was recently in Washington, DC representing families of multiples & preemies. Here is her report.
Since 1987 I have had the honor and opportunity to support and represent families of multiples and preemies with MOST (Mothers of Supertwins) on a national platform through different educational and advocacy efforts. In 2005 MOST and PreemieCare (a Division of MOST), along with 13 other leading national professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) were asked to be a part of the inaugural summit of the Preemie Health Coalition which would later become The National Premature Infant Health Coalition (NPIHC). We were one of only 2 organizations asked to the table to represent the families of babies born Continue reading MOST Advocacy on Behalf of Multiples & All Preemies: NPIHC Summit, June 2012
Jump Right In!
Judy Challoner, mom to Nick, Kevin, & Leigh, shares part of a day with her triplets, one with Asperger’s. Links for web resources and MOST articles are at the end.
At the beginning of the summer school holidays I took the children (GBB triplets), just 8-years-old, to the pool . It was one of those unbelievable 80 degree Sundays, a perfect day for playing in this big wading pool. Sunscreen, water bottles, towels, toy boats – we were set. No one else was there, unbelievable considering the temperature, and my three were in heaven.
After half an hour or so two boys, brothers, came and joined in the water play with Leigh, Nick and Kevin. Things were going well. I could see Kevin talking with these two boys and actually playing a game with them. Other families with younger children arrived and although not crowded, the activity and noise level definitely increased. Then it happened. Continue reading Jump Right In! Parenting a Child with Autism
 Evie is finally ready to come home! Evienne, an identical triplet, was born in April 2009 and is finally coming home from the hospital. What a great 3rd birthday gift! However, among her many needs the family will now require a custom van. With an extended van, the family can have it adapted to allow Evienne to finally be with her sisters! Can you help?
Continue reading At 3-yrs-old: Evienne if finally coming home but she needs a van!
Do the new car safety seat recommendations affect you and your children? Find a car seat inspection site near you!
Going for a quick trip to the store or a Sunday drive or to visit Grandma’s sounds simple enough but for a multiple birth family just getting everyone out of the house and “packing” for this quick trip can seem more like a major event! There are so many, many things to consider and not the least of which is what car seats are recommended and right for your children.
Continue reading Car Seats for the Multiple Birth Family
 The MOST Family Carnival 2011 was held in mid-June and was just perfect in every way! We had a wonderful turn out, the weather was fantastic and our sponsor was more generous than ever before with GREAT activities and gifts for EVERY member of every family! It was just an amazing day!
Continue reading MOST Family Carnival 2011: Photos and Thanks
 The following article is written by Jeanne Gehret, the parent of a child with ADHD and author of 3 picture books on special needs children and education. The article includes tips to help make the back-to-school transition easier for students with ADHD. Many of the suggestions also apply generally to all students. Many thanks to Jeanne Gehret, M.A. for allowing MOST to reprint this article.
Continue reading Back to School with ADHD
 by Julie Honeyman, a mother of triplets plus an older child. Julie shares how she and her husband, Hal, discovered the world of adaptive cycling while trying to help their son who has multiple challenges and are now involved in efforts like the Wounded Warrior Project.
Biking is in Hal Honeyman’s blood. Hal did his first century ride (a 100 mile bike ride) at age 10 on a Schwinn one-speed. That’s when his parents finally broke down and bought his first 10 speed bike. He started working at a local bike store at 16. When the store came up for sale 4 years later, he talked his parents into buying the business, dropped out of college and devoted his life to cycling.
Continue reading Adaptive Cycling
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