O-mama - Opinionated Moms

Since this is a topic already on the Multiples Board, and a constant in our lives, my first topic is Classroom Separation.  Several states have legislation establishing a parents' right to choose to separate their twins in different classrooms or keep them together.  Many more states have pending legislation.  The National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs newsletter has a great article on this subject, which can be found at http://www.nomotc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=41.  My personal view is that my twins are better off separated.   But they are boy/girl.  I am sure it makes a much bigger difference for same sex fraternal and, I would assume, especially, for identical (monozygotic) twins.  Here's the deal with my two.  My son listens for his sister.  Yes, listens.  A lot of older (or more outgoing) non-twin kids speak for their siblings.  My boy twin listens her his sister.  My daughter is usually in space.  He is paying attention.  She is licking something covered in germs, eating her hair, or reading a book much more advanced than he would tackle.  But at least he is listening to me.  He then repeats, practically word for word, what I said to them...to her.  She acts as if she is hearing it for the first time.  Perhaps she is!  It goes like this:  Mommy - "guys, when we get home we have only about 30 minutes before we need to go pick up your sisters, so if you want a popsicle, eat one right away."  Him (turning, from his booster seat to hers), to her:  "when we get home we have 30 minutes, so if you want a popsicle, eat one right away."  Her:  "ok".  It was a struggle in kindergarten for her to focus and listen (they were together in the same class for the pre-school years).  Her teacher was patient and, even with 30 kids in the class, was able to understand and work with her learning style.  He, on the other hand, knew everyone's business in his class.  He also seemed to miss her.  She really seemed to care less.  Interesting.  He needed to protect and inform her.  She seemed happy to do her own thing.  It has extended to their home life too.  She wants her own room.  He really needs her company.  When she was sick the other night and sleeping in our bed, he was trying to think of an excuse to sleep there too.  Even when I told him he might get thrown up on (well, that may have been what convinced him to go to his own bed!)  In any case, he seems to need her -- even though he is the one who is the caretaker.  Having them in separate classes gives them both the independence they need -- even if they need it for different reasons.