Recent Posts

The Different Faces of Twin Estrangement

Estrangement often grows out of how twins are treated differently by their parents.

Estrangement often grows out of how twins are treated differently by their parents.

What Twins Have to Say About Missing Their Twin

Losing one's twin is the loss of a part of one's psychological self.

Losing one's twin is the loss of a part of one's psychological self.

Strategies to Stop Twin Fighting

Competition between twins is built into the way they function in the world.

Competition between twins is built into the way they function in the world.

Why Twin Families Disagree and Fight So Intensely

Simply stated, twins can and do outsmart their parents and grandparents.

Simply stated, twins can and do outsmart their parents and grandparents.

When a Twin’s New Family Cannot Get Along With the Co-Twin

Family outsiders often do not believe that twins fight and don't get along.

Family outsiders often do not believe that twins fight and don't get along.

The Surprisingly Strong Link Between Genetics and Infidelity

Large research projects involving twins suggest a strong link between genetics and the likelihood of being unfaithful to a romantic partner.

Large research projects involving twins suggest a strong link between genetics and the likelihood of being unfaithful to a romantic partner.

The Unique Development of Twin Language

Parents who do not understand the dangerous side effects of too much closeness can make the twin language problem more serious.

Parents who do not understand the dangerous side effects of too much closeness can make the twin language problem more serious.

How Parental Indifference Affects the Twin Bond

Different types of circumstances prevent parents from paying enough attention to their twins.

Different types of circumstances prevent parents from paying enough attention to their twins.

Strategies to Reduce Fighting and Anguish in Twins

In the worst of times, competition over which twin looks best can lead family members to pull their hair out or at least take a really long walk.

In the worst of times, competition over which twin looks best can lead family members to pull their hair out or at least take a really long walk.

History of Twin Studies

How are twin studies used to answer questions related to the nature-and-nurture debate?

How are twin studies used to answer questions related to the nature-and-nurture debate?

Helping Twins Develop Individual Identities and Friendships

The only way to handle this competition or sharing of friends problem is for parents and significant others to see it as a serious identity issue.

The only way to handle this competition or sharing of friends problem is for parents and significant others to see it as a serious identity issue.

Rekindling Your Twin Relationship After Estrangement Subsides

It is a steep learning curve for twins to accept and enjoy being different.

It is a steep learning curve for twins to accept and enjoy being different.

Twins' Goals for the New Year

Here are some thoughts that twins have shared with me about the desire to connect in a peaceful manner.

Here are some thoughts that twins have shared with me about the desire to connect in a peaceful manner.

The Trials and Tribulations of Teenage Twins

Separation anxiety creates more conflict and more incentive to be different and unique from their twin.

Separation anxiety creates more conflict and more incentive to be different and unique from their twin.

High Expectations for Harmony Creates Stress for Twins

Holidays for twins and their families are loaded with unfortunate and hard-to-avoid obstacles related to comparisons.

Holidays for twins and their families are loaded with unfortunate and hard-to-avoid obstacles related to comparisons.

Twin Closeness: A Deep and Often Misunderstood Attachment

Twin closeness creates a natural interdependence that will be strongly affected by separation anxiety from infancy onward.

Twin closeness creates a natural interdependence that will be strongly affected by separation anxiety from infancy onward.

Let Your Twin Make Their Own Decisions and Mistakes

The side effects of too much advice are fighting and estrangement.

The side effects of too much advice are fighting and estrangement.

Twins Listening to Twins

Many twins share with me that they wish they were not a twin. This approach could help them.

Many twins share with me that they wish they were not a twin. This approach could help them.

Favoritism Creates Long-Lasting Conflicts for Twins

Personal Perspective: The extent that labels become alive in twins' identity predicts whether twin love and harmony will survive.

Personal Perspective: The extent that labels become alive in twins' identity predicts whether twin love and harmony will survive.

A Gay Couple's Fight for Their Twin Son's Citizenship Inspires

The story of a gay couple that faced legal challenges from the U.S. when trying to obtain citizenship for one of their twin sons.

The story of a gay couple that faced legal challenges from the U.S. when trying to obtain citizenship for one of their twin sons.

Understanding and Coping With Twin Loneliness

Twin loneliness is a profound and persistent emotional state.

Twin loneliness is a profound and persistent emotional state.

Anger, Estrangement Diminish as Twins Gain Independence

Giving special attention to times when twins will be separated from one another is completely necessary for healthy emotional development.

Giving special attention to times when twins will be separated from one another is completely necessary for healthy emotional development.

Being A "Good Enough" Mother to Twins

Advice-givers cause problems for twins and parents.

Advice-givers cause problems for twins and parents.

When One Twin Is Placed in the Parenting Role

Twin mothers today know better than to expect twins to parent each other.

Twin mothers today know better than to expect twins to parent each other.

Why Have My Teenage Twins Started Fighting Endlessly?

Twins want and even need the mirroring aspects of their twin identity. Fortunately, twins also want to be their own special person.

Twins want and even need the mirroring aspects of their twin identity. Fortunately, twins also want to be their own special person.

Why It Is Hard to Be a Twin

Twin closeness is more profound than marriage. Yet twinship also has the potential to be filled with anger and heavy resentment.

Twin closeness is more profound than marriage. Yet twinship also has the potential to be filled with anger and heavy resentment.

Why Twins Need Their Own Friends

Twins find their individuality and can get along better if they have the opportunity to know friends on their own.

Twins find their individuality and can get along better if they have the opportunity to know friends on their own.

Problematic Parenting or Problematic Genes?

The authors of twin studies in psychology often neglect highly significant behavior patterns determined by family rules.

The authors of twin studies in psychology often neglect highly significant behavior patterns determined by family rules.

Helping Adult Twins Get Along

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to twin estrangement.

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to twin estrangement.

Is There a Solution to the Twin Problem?

Whether discussed or ignored, every twin wants to be the most successful in the pair.

Whether discussed or ignored, every twin wants to be the most successful in the pair.