30 September 2013
They’re Two Individuals Not Just “The Twins”: Twin Expert Highlights Parenting Pitfalls at New Zealand Multiple Birth
Association Conference
An international twin expert sharing her research findings about the ‘Twin Mystique’ and the dangers of not recognising
and parenting twins as individuals, will be a highlight of the New Zealand Multiple Birth Association (NZMBA) National
Conference in Hamilton this weekend.
Dr Joan Friedman, a twin and mother of twins, has received critical acclaim as a unique resource for understanding how
twins develop and what parents can do to manage and understand twin specific challenges as they mature. She will speak
on topics such as how twins impact marriage, adjustment to two babies, addressing problems associated with fairness, and
sibling rivalry.
In addition to Dr Friedman, workshop presenters include New Zealand’s own parenting expert Diane Levy as well as
workshops focussing on topics such as schooling multiples, feeding multiples and supporting vulnerable families.
NZMBA President Fiona Purchas says that the National Conference is a great way to meet with other parents of multiples
and to work with the volunteers who support approximately 1500 families throughout New Zealand.
“Having multiple babies means double the cost, twice the workload, and half the sleep. The National Conference provides
parents with a place to talk about what might be troubling them, learn some tips and tricks for parenting multiples, and
see that there is support available in many forms.”
The conference, supported by PORSE, will be held at the Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, and runs from 4 – 6 October.
The timetable, workshop options and registration information is available through the NZMBA website: www.multiples.org.nz
The New Zealand Multiple Birth Association (NZMBA) is the national body that represents 21 local Multiple Birth Clubs,
consisting of over 1500 families throughout New Zealand. The NZMBA aims to provide education, support and advocacy to
all of these families, by offering guidance and resources to their local multiple birth clubs, and via the official
NZMBA magazine “Multiple Matters” and the NZMBA website, www.multiples.org.nz.
For further information about Dr Joan Friedman visit www.joanafriedmanphd.com
ENDS