Our twins are starting school next year. Should we put them in the same classroom or separate them?

Like most things "parenting," there is no one right answer to this question. Each situation is unique and many parents of multiples agonize over this decision.

What is the "right" thing to do? It used to be that most schools would separate twins as a matter of course. It was standard policy to do so because educators felt that one twin would dominate the other, they needed to be separated in order to nurture each twin's individual identity, or there may be too much competition between the twins if placed together. Recent studies, however, show that many twins benefit from being kept together.

As with any child, the best method is to partner with the school to make educational decisions that will bring the best results for your children. But this assumes the school is flexible about placement. Some aren't. This has prompted a national parenting movement to seek legislation to mandate flexible placement policies for multiple-birth children within the classroom. Groups such as this can help provide information to support elementary school parents in their placement decisions—and resources to help support you should you find the decision is not yours to make.