How to Handle Twin Toddlers on the Loose

Realistic advice for when both babies learn to walk - and run - in opposite directions

There’s a special kind of chaos that begins when your sweet, chubby babies start walking. Now imagine it... times two (or three). One toddling toward the playground, the other toward traffic. One wants cuddles, the other is licking the floor.

Welcome to the “twin toddlers on the loose” era - where every outing is an obstacle course, and your heart rate never quite settles. Whether you're just entering this wild stage or knee-deep in it already, here’s some realistic, tried-and-tested advice for navigating life with multiple mobile toddlers.

Rethink your idea of a 'quick outing'

Once they’re walking, even a 'quick trip to the shops' turns into a full-on expedition. It helps to:

• Go early in the day (before tiredness turns everything downhill)

• Choose your locations wisely – fenced parks and enclosed play areas are your new best friends

• Have a mental checklist: Snacks, nappies, water, wipes, backup outfit, and maybe a reward coffee for yourself

If you turn up somewhere and it’s not safe or toddler-friendly? It’s okay to leave. Survival is more important than social pressure.

The gear is your friend

At this stage, gear can genuinely save your sanity.

• Twin prams with quick access are gold - even if they fight getting in, it can become your only way to contain the chaos when needed

• Harness backpacks spark debate, but if one kid is prone to bolting and you're on your own, they can be a lifesaver

• Wagon strollers or twin trikes are a fun way to keep them contained and entertained - if you’ve got the trunk space

Do whatever helps you feel more in control and less like a panicked sheepdog.

Pick your battles in public

Sometimes, one toddler’s having a meltdown in the trolley and the other is flinging bananas. You are not failing. You’re just outnumbered. Tips that help:

• Ignore judgemental looks

• Narrate what’s happening: “You’re really upset right now because you wanted to stay at the park. It’s hard to leave!” This helps them feel heard

• Use short, clear instructions: “Hold hands. Wait here. Sit down.” Toddlers + too many words = chaos

And if it all falls apart? Cut your losses, go home, try again tomorrow.

Containment = Freedom

It sounds ironic, but sometimes setting tight limits gives you the freedom to relax. Fence in the fun:

• Use gated play areas

• Rearrange your house so one room is completely safe

• Put one child in a highchair or playpen with toys while you change the other

You’re not 'restricting' them - you’re setting yourself up to parent more safely and calmly.

Take help when it’s offered

If someone offers to come with you on an outing - say yes. Whether it’s another parent, a grandparent, or even a teenager looking for babysitting experience, having an extra set of hands can make a huge difference. Multiples parenting isn’t a solo sport.

Also: don’t be afraid to use screens or snacks when you need to contain them. There’s no gold medal for 'Most Organic, Tech-Free Parent While Everyone’s Screaming at Pak’nSave'

Find the funny

There will be moments where one child has no pants, the other has stolen a muffin, and you’ve just said, “No, we don’t kiss the bin.” Try to laugh when you can. These years are exhausting, but they are so full of stories you’ll tell forever.

Handling twin toddlers on the loose isn’t about staying perfectly calm or keeping everything under control. It’s about:

• Being prepared enough

• Letting go of perfection

• Finding rhythms that work for your family

• And knowing this stage won’t last forever (even if it feels like it might)