Twin (im)mobilities: on the move with multiples and multiples on the move

This study explored what it’s like to get out and about with twins, triplets or more and the challenges families can face in public spaces.

The researcher either joined parents on a typical journey to see what came up day to day, or used photos of everyday activities in public spaces as prompts for discussion. These conversations offered insight into what makes going out harder and what could help. This work may also support future advocacy to make public spaces more accessible for families with multiples.

The findings were grouped into five themes, shown in a ‘Multiples on the move’ graphic from Liverpool John Moores University.

Research suggests parents of multiples are more likely to experience poor mental health. The graphic also highlights that being able to move freely and take part in everyday life matters for wellbeing.

The five themes were:

• Physical barriers, including parked cars, narrow pavements and doorways that can make it hard to move around with a double or triple buggy.
• Safety concerns, especially when you’re outnumbered and need to manage children near traffic, busy car parks or unleashed dogs.
• Routines, such as planned walks or car journeys to help babies nap, which some parents described as important for structure.
• Strangers, where attention and comments can feel stressful, although some parents also rely on strangers for help navigating public spaces.
• Staying on track, including using alarms or building in extra time to allow for unexpected obstacles and interactions.

To highlight the findings, the team has also developed an animation that explains the barriers families can face when they’re out and about with multiples.

Contact the study team

For more information on this study, please contact Catherine Wilkinson.

Email: c.wilkinson@ljmu.ac.uk.