Raising Twins as an Only Child, Navigating Sibling Dynamics and Parenting Twins in the Middle Years

<p>#34: In this episode, Jess Sittig talks with Zara Hanawalt about the realities of raising twins, the perspective that comes from being an only child, and what it means to parent in the “middle years” when school-age logistics, bigger questions, and family dynamics all intensify. Zara also shares how her work as a journalist and her lived experience as a mom and caregiver shaped her podcast The Millennial Sandwich. They discuss the emotional and practical side of twin parenting, the challenge of sibling dynamics, and why the leap from preschool to elementary school can feel surprisingly isolating.</p><p></p><p>KEY TAKEAWAYS</p><ul><li>Zara Hanawalt's background as a freelance journalist, twin mom, and podcast host who has covered motherhood for 11 years across outlets like Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Cosmo, Parents, and Shape.</li><li>They discuss the financial and physical realities of twin parenting, including the intensity of twin pregnancy, medical bills, and the myth that twins are simply “two for the price of one.”</li><li>The conversation turns to sibling dynamics, including how only-child parents may have to learn what is normal conflict, intensity, and closeness between siblings.</li><li>Zara talks about trying to protect her twins’ bond while also allowing them to diverge as they get older.</li><li>They discuss the lack of resources for parents in the elementary school years and how school transitions can feel harder than expected because communication is less direct than in preschool.</li><li>The episode closes with Zara’s advice to twin moms: it gets easier, and tandem nursing may not work right away, but that does not mean it cannot work later.</li></ul><p></p><p>EPISODE SPONSOR</p><p>This episode is brought to you by Thrive Market -&gt; <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.thrivemarket.com/twinmomlife" target="_blank"><b>$30 off your first 2 orders and a free gift!</b></a></p><p></p><p>CONNECT WITH ZARA</p><p>Instagram <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt" target="_blank"><b>@ZaraHanawalt</b></a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-millennial-sandwich/id1896284409" target="_blank">The Millennial Sandwich Podcast</a></p><p></p><p>CONNECT WITH THE HOST, JESS</p><p>Instagram <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/twinmomlifepodcast?igsh=NW1ybHF5dnY0azdh&amp;utm_source=qr" target="_blank"><b>@TwinMom