GenParenting

Parenting resources for all who love and care for children

Yikes! Brandon’s Twin Sisters Turn Three!

Yikes! Brandon’s Twin Sisters Turn Three!

We just spent a wonderful couple of days with our almost three-year-old twin granddaughters. Although their baby years are documented in three CreateSpace books, they continue to love to read their stories about themselves and their relationship with their older brother, Brandon. We have also captured their life stories in their own photo albums. Anna and Maria love to look at themselves as babies growing up. Although they look alike, they consistently inform us which baby they are in each photo. They also keep telling us they want to dress differently, but when given choices they will still pick out the same outfits and giggle as we clarify which child we are dressing. [Read more…]

Get Ready for School with Siblings, Twins, and Multiples Play Activities

Get Ready for School with Siblings, Twins, and Multiples Play Activities 

Infants and preschoolers love pretend and play with lovies as soon as they can grab for toys. Many infants will react happily to cause and effect play and will soon grow into loving pretend play with their preschool siblings and family members. Suggested activities can include the following:

Materials:

  • Yikes! Brandon and His Twin Sisters Go to School book
  • Twin and multiplies play kits (e.g. Calico Critters Stroller Set with mother and twin guinea pigs)
  • Community stickers (i.e. My Town Reusable Sticker Pad)
  • Building kits (i.e. 80 Mega Blocks)

[Read more…]

Get Ready for School with Siblings, Twins, and Multiples Reading Activity

Get Ready for School with Siblings, Twins, and Multiples Reading Activity 

Yikes! Brandon’s Twin Sisters Get Ready for Big Girl Preschool!

Hi! My name is Brandon and I have twin sisters who look alike. Their names are Anna and Maria and they love to follow me around and be my best friends! When they were toddlers, their grandma took them to school because they were naughty. Both liked to chew rocks, Maria chewed the arms off her baby doll, and Anna would run and hide from grandma when it was time to eat. Finally, my grandma said they had to go to baby school to learn how to listen and play with others.

Now my twin sisters are turning three and they are getting ready for big girl preschool. Both are excited about what they will learn. They can sing their ABC’s, they know their colors, they can count to 10, and they love to do projects. I have taught them how to draw, paint, and use shaving cream for finger-painting and coloring Easter eggs. We have painted rocks, cooked with plants, and enjoyed many hours of waterplay throughout the summer. We camp, hike, ride trikes, and climb in the park.

Although my sisters have lots of fun with me, my parents want them to go to school to learn how to play with other children. They are best friends and at times get angry at each other. Although they still look the same, they now have very different personalities. Anna likes to explore and wander off while Maria loves to follow me around and play imaginative games with me. Anna will finish her art projects quickly so that she can explore on her own while Maria wants to do projects all day!

[Read more…]

The Three-Hour Grandma Play Dates!

The Three-Hour Grandma Play Dates!

During the past decade, I have cared for grandkids multiple times per week; twelve months every year. As my grandkids become older, their daily schedules become busier with afterschool activities and sports programs. I have adjusted my weekly schedule to adapt to these changes.

Listed below are 10 suggestions that support your children’s social, emotional, and academic play when face time with them is limited: [Read more…]

Fall GenParenting Book Signing Events

Fall GenParenting Book Signing Events

DateLocationVenueEvent
Oct 1–9:30 AMCosta Mesa, CAOrange County Children's Book Festival - Orange County, CAThe GenParenting.com team will be selling the Yikes! twin book series and our parenting book with FREE resources.
Oct 8,—2:00 PMSan Rafael, CACopperfield's BooksMeet the author, Mary Ann Burke, at this Meet and Greet Event! FREE blog resources will be provided.
Oct 14—10:00 AMSunnyvale, CABay Area Kids' Book Festival - Silicon ValleyThe GenParenting.com blogging team will be selling their Yikes! twin book series and parenting book with FREE resources.
Oct 15—10:00 AMLafayette, CABay Area Kids' Festival - LafayetteThe GenParenting.com blogging team will be selling their Yikes! twin book series and parenting book with FREE resources.
Oct 22—11:00 AMOakland, CAGreat Good Place for BooksMeet the author, Mary Ann Burke, at this special story time event. She will be selling her newly published Yikes! Brandon Has Twin Sisters book series with FREE blog resources.

For more information about these events and to purchase books, log onto Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Burke/e/B001H6IXXW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0.