Every family will have a different experience of adolescence, however, entering adolescence at exactly the same time as your sibling is very unique.

Puberty can start as early as 10 years old or as late as 18 years old. Even twins of the same sex can go through puberty at different times.

We know the thought of entering into the teenage years with more than one teenager under your roof can be daunting but help is at hand – as a parent of multiples, here’s some things to consider:

• You can support your multiples by considering how sensitive privacy can become particularly when they experience physical changes, especially for boy/girl multiples.
• It may be the case that one child wants more privacy than the other. It can help to talk to them both separately about their privacy needs. 
• For girl multiples, you can support them by reassuring your girls that periods starting at different times is perfectly normal. Some multiples have started their period three years before their twin/triplet. 
• As it becomes more important to your children about being part of a peer group and not being ‘different’ they may want to play down the fact that they are part of a set of twins/ triplets.
• You can support your children to become independent. It’s possible when they finish secondary school they’ll be heading off in different directions depending on where their career preferences lead them.

The uncertainty of the teenage years, together with physical and hormonal changes can be challenging, but fear not, this phase will pass and you’ll be parents to young adults before you know it.