Having Triplets in the same Kindergarten class

 The school year is halfway over now, so I wanted to post an update.  My experience with our decision to enroll the triplets in the same class. 

Having multiple children comes with so many decisions and choices. One of ours was to keep the triplets together.  I know this issue creates some heavy debates and controversy for both sides.  I feel they were born together, raised together, and why not educate them together? The school administrator left the decision up to us, and why add to any anxiety they may already be feeling about starting school by forcing them to separate?

It's difficult for non-multiples to understand the bond between triplets. It's a unique relationship. It begins even before birth and often endures longer than marriages, friendships or a parent/child relationship. For young children, being together is all they have ever known. If they want to be together, then they should be together.

Separation can be a traumatic experience. It's not that they can't ever be apart, they are simply better off together. As individuals, they are more confident, productive and effective learners when they are in the same environment. Certainly, there will come a day when circumstances require them to be separated. Allowing them to learn and develop together now will make that transition easier when that time comes.

I couldn't be happier with it.  Our girls are very independent all on their own, they don't need a separate classroom to create individual personalities or behaviors.  They have their own friends and share some.

 I am very involved at the school, I believe that we have the best teacher in the school to teach our trio.  The teacher and I get along, we communicate when needed and are literally on the same page. For me, I feel that having them together creates a consistent learning environment, both at school and at home when I need to reinforce with homework, learning the same thing at the same time.

Literally, because the girls have the same homework each night, I sit down with them as a group and we go over one set of homework.  Assignments are the same, which makes my life easier. The girls are on three different reading levels, so they do have three different books, but the assignments are the same.  I have come to understand exactly what the teacher requires.

 Parent conferences are conducted over the phone and talk about multi-tasking, she is able to get three kids progress reports and conferences done all at once.  Class field trips, no reason to have to choose one child to chaperone, I spend the day with all three girls, and am able to capture special moments with all of them, and take pictures, instead of having to only choose one.

Class parties are a breeze, I make goodie bags for one set of students, 24 kids, not 90! Oh and their teacher, I spoil her so good! I send extra school supplies often. She got a massage gift card for Christmas and I have helped decorate her classroom.  All of which benefits my girls.

I have read both sides of this, and actually my sister who has a set of twins chose to separate, so I have fairly evaluated both decisions. Which way is best? There is no one right answer. Consider your own children. Are they independent from one another, or do they seem to depend on each other for comfort? Some twins or triplets hardly bat an eye about being apart, while others are as thick as thieves. You know your own children's personalities and temperaments well enough to make the right decision. Some schools will support your decision to keep them in the same class, some won't, get familiar with your school district's policy. Once you make the decision about whether to keep them together or separate them, be sure to work closely with their teachers and monitor your twins' or triplets' progress closely. It's the best way to figure out what works and what doesn't.

With two or more children in the same grade at the same time, sometimes convenience is the best reason to keep multiples together in the same class, with one set of assignments, tests and teachers to keep up with. It's not an issue of being selfish, or lazy. Rather, it is a matter of choosing the situation that affords the best management of family logistics. Don't downplay or deny the importance of parental convenience or feel that you're taking the easy way out. Parenting twins and triplets is difficult enough, and if keeping them in the same class meets their needs and yours, then it is the right choice.

I just wanted to share what works for me, my children and our life.  Our choice is made for next year, and actually all of Elementary school we have decided they will stick together until they express they want to be separate.  And its pretty cool, I already know who I will request the twins have in two years as their Kindergarten teacher. :)