A bit of news to keep you in the know about things happening with Multiples of America. Be sure to check out the quiz at the bottom for your chance to win a gift card!

A Winner!
45 members emailed their answers to the June quiz. A perfect score is not the aim; everyone who joins in the fun is entered into the drawing. This quiz revisited some of the findings from Multiples of America’s organizational research. The answers were:

Our organizational survey on “Teen Issues in Multiples” (Research Report 91) found that 65% of multiples took their driving test on the same day.

Our organizational survey on “Multiples & Technology” (Research Report 108) found that 61.5% of parents of multiples did not allow their multiples to visit social networking sites.

Our organizational report on “Multiples in Extra-Curricular Activities” (Research Report 84) found that the activity most multiples reported participating in was music/choir.

Our organizational research on “Multiples Within Blended Families” (Research Report 94) found that 87.9% of the multiples shared a room after the blending.

Our organizational research on “Effects of Multiple Birth Children on Marriage” (Research Report 111) found that the stresses of the multiple birth experience included all of the following except accepting help from friends and family.

Winner of the gift card drawing was Julie Lazaroff, Boulder County Parents of Twins & More (CO). Find the July quiz at the end of this email.

Board News
The board is working with our volunteers to deliver the services and benefits you enjoy from year to year as well as to develop new initiatives focused on support and connection. What’s been happening this month?

• We had a last-minute workshop addition to our convention lineup. It’s a chance to hear from a researcher involved in the Louisville Twin Study about “Why We Study Twins.” There will also be a poster presentation about the work of the Louisville Twin Study: past, present and future. Attendees received information about the timing of the workshop and all members will be able to read about the presentations in the September issue of Multiple Connections.
• We’re revisiting our Communication Survey to gather information about how we’re doing in reaching out to you through publications, social media, and our website. Please take a moment to complete the survey. Your input is needed as we continue working to tailor our communications to what matters most to you. Complete the survey at 2024 Multiples of America Preferred Communication Survey.

PARENTAL STRESS – A NEW RESEARCH CONNECTION
Parenting children who are diagnosed with autism comes with its own list of joys and stresses. Our newest research partner wants to know more. Damion Garcia, under the advisement of Dr. Nancy Segal from California State University, Fullerton, is studying parental stress in families with single and multiple birth children with autism. Mothers and fathers of identical and fraternal twins, where one or both twins are diagnosed with autism are invited to participate, as well as parents of single birth children diagnosed with autism. Parents must be at least 18 years old. Participants take an online survey that takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Read more the survey at https://multiplesofamerica.org/parentalstress_research/ or access the survey link at https://fullerton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXZT7g7qisDwyCW.

Multiple Connections
Do you have multiples getting ready to head off to college in the next few years? The latest issue of Multiple Connections is filled to the brim with tips and information to help you gear up for that move into the dorms. There are also book reviews tailor-made for parents with younger multiples, information on infant sleep, and tips for raising readers. You can read all these stories with just one click! Check out the entire issue in the Members’ Only section of the website.

Multiple Match
Our Multiple Match program provides a personal connection for members in an electronic format. Sign up and we’ll work to match you with another member experiencing similar parenting or life challenges. It’s a match that can create a connection for support or friendship.

Right now, we are especially looking for matches for members who have:

• Preschool multiples with older siblings
• Multiples with Goldenhar Syndrome
• Multiples who are autistic
• Multiples with ADHD
• Multiples who spent time in the NICU
• Elementary aged multiples
• Special needs multiples

And members who are:

• Raising young multiples while caring for elderly parents
• Single moms of multiples who used an anonymous donor
• Looking for a connection due to living in an area that is hours away from their local club

Join in Multiple Match by signing up at https://multiplesofamerica.org/multiplematch/.

Volunteer…
Help us boost the power of Multiples of America. Share your skills and expertise with parents nationwide. Build friendships with parents of multiples from across the nation. We’ve got positions to match a wide array of interests, skill levels and time commitments. Volunteer to be a part of our team! Our new term starts in August, so there’s still time to complete the form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9Y737LZ.

Local Clubs Planning for Family Fun

Phoenix Valley Mothers of Multiples (AZ) is planning a summer family fun day at Impact Gymnastics, complete with a Ninja zone and foam pit.

Huntsville Area Mothers of Multiples (AL) is taking a family field trip to a local fire station, and they’re planning to bring a snack to leave with the firefighters!

Watch for This
Our website is growing and changing almost daily. Check out this new item:

The July press release shares details about our new narrated presentation about education of multiples called Handling School Issues. Read it at https://multiplesofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/July-24-press-release-Handling-School-Issues-with-Twins-or-More.pdf.

Send Your Ideas/Share Your Joys and Challenges
I’d love to hear from you. Let me know what questions you have about any of these items or other services provided by Multiples of America. Share some news about your club: its successes or challenges, or about your personal joys or challenges on your parenting journey. Contact me at president@multiplesofamerica.org.

THIS MONTH’S QUIZ IS NOW CLOSED.