As the parents of multiples, one of your biggest challenges is keeping your kids' shoe wardrobes sized properly and fashionably up-to-date. With the cost of even a modest pair of shoes well over $25, you can easily invest several hundred dollars each year just keeping your multiples in shoes. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your kids in great looking shoes year round without breaking the bank.

Shoe Tips for Multiples No. 1: BOGO Sales

One of the easiest ways to cut your shoe expenses in half when you have multiples is to shop for shoes during BOGO (buy one get one free) sales. These sales happen throughout the year. To get the discount, all you have to do is buy one pair of shoes, and then you can select a second pair of equal or lesser value for free. You will want to buy good shoes during these sales, and if you have the money, stock up on shoes one or two sizes larger for when your multiples outgrow their current shoe size.

Shoe Tips for Multiples No. 2: Accessorize Cheap Shoes

If your multiples are interested in fashion and want to expand their shoe wardrobe, and you don't have a lot of money to work with, buy canvas sneakers, the kind that retail for less than $10. Then accessorize them. Buy a basic color like white or black. Then find shoes laces of different colors and designs to add a fashionable flare to the shoe. You can also use pins to change the look of the shoes. This is a quick and affordable way to offer your multiples a variety of shoe choices without breaking the bank.

Shoe Tips for Multiples No. 3: Learn Basic Shoe Repair Skills

Dress shoes are worn infrequently, and your kids will most likely out grow them before they are worn out. Because of this, you can find dress shoes in many clothing consignment stores for less than half their original retail price. You can buy dress shoes at these stores, replace their laces and shine them up for a great looking pair of shoes. This is a great option for parents with multiples who are still very young.

One of the challenges of being a parent of multiples is that you have to deal with space issues, especially if you live in a small apartment or a small house. However, there are several space saving tips you can use to maximize the usable space you have. The follow space saving tips will help you find creative places for your multiples' toys, clothes and furniture.

Space Saving Tip No. 1: Furniture Placement
Furniture placement is going to be key to maximizing the floor space in your home. If you need to place your multiples in the same room, it is important that the furniture be laid out so each multiple has their own unique space. Bunk beds work well for multiples because when they are little you can place both bunks on the floor and then stack them when they get older. To get the most usable floor space when you have both bunks on the floor, push each bed against a different wall. This will leave the center of the room open.

Space Saving Tip No. 2: Look for Hidden Storage Space
You may be surprised to learn that there are numerous hidden storage spaces all over your house and apartment. The most usable hidden storage space is under beds. On average you have between 10 and 20 square feet of storage space under your bed. To use this space you can use plastic storage bins or even large plastic zipper bags. This is a great place to store kids' clothes or toys.

Space Saving Tip No. 3: High Spaces
When trying to organize your kids' stuff don't forget about the usable space near the ceiling. To use this space for storage you can hang a cargo net for stuffed animals or you can install shelving units. If you use this storage option then you will need to make sure that there is a safe way to access the items, and that your young kids can't climb up the shelving unit or pull things down on top of them from the shelves. You can use a safety gate to block access to the shelves or a Velcro mesh to keep the contents of the shelf from being pulled down.

As kids get older it is important for them to learn about responsibility. One of the easiest ways to teach kids about responsibility is to give them chores to complete. The purpose of the chores is not to provide parents with free labor, although that is a pleasant side effect, but instead it is to make kids feel like they are an important part of the family. As the parents of multiples you face a challenge, figuring out how to assign chores that will seem fair and that will provide each multiple with the opportunity to learn new skills and to develop their own interests.

Assigning Chores Option No. 1: Chore Rotation
You have a few options when it comes to assigning chores. The first option is to create a list of chores and to rotate who does what. When you first assign chores you need to be realistic about what your kids can handle, and the chores need to be age appropriate. For example, great starter chores for young kids can be putting their toys away, putting their clothes in the hamper and filling the dog's water and food dishes. As your multiples get older you can assign more complicated chores like folding clothes, taking out the garbage and doing the dishes. The rotation of chores option allows your multiples to try each chore out at least once.

Assigning Chores Option No. 2: Interest Based Assignments
After your multiples have tried out the various chores that are available in your household, you can ask each one which chores they like and which ones they don't like. Hopefully, their like/dislike lists will not overlap and you will be able to divvy up the chores based on what each multiple likes to do. This will not only make doing chores more enjoyable, but it will also encourage your multiples to develop individual interests. Another option that you have is to ask each of your multiples what they like to do and then find a chore that will allow them to explore that interest.

Assigning Chores Option No. 3: The Wheel of Chores
The third option that you have is to make the chore selection into a weekly game. At the beginning of each week have each multiple spin a wheel labeled with different chores, or have them draw a chore from a hat. This will make the assignment of chores fun and by putting a one week limit on the chore they are assigned, if they have a chore they don't like to do, they only have to do it for a week.

When you have multiples, it is easy to encourage each child to do the same things and wear the same things, but this really isn't fair to your kids. Each multiple is an individual, and each needs the freedom to explore their own interests. As a parent of multiples, you want your kids to be happy and to develop their own personalities and interests, however, when you have two or more kids going in different directions it can be quite overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome the obstacles associated with fostering your multiples' interests.

Finding Unique Interests
The first step in developing your multiples' interests is to figure out what they are interested in. The best way to do this is to talk about what they are into. Do this as a family. Talk about different hobbies like playing a musical instrument, playing sports or completing art projects. Ask your multiples what they would like to learn how to do, or what teams they would like to join or what school activities they want to participate in this year. Create a list for each member of the family.

Research Your Options
After you have figured out what each multiple is interested in, you need to find ways for your kids to explore their interests. You can sign them up for classes, lessons or sports programs. You can also look for ways for your multiples to explore their interests at home. For example if your child is interested in soccer, you can buy equipment and soccer shoes so that they can play soccer at home or to at least do soccer drills at home. Also find ways that the entire family can explore the interest together, like going to a professional soccer game. This will show your kids that you are interested in what they are interested in, and it will provide you with something fun to do as a family.

Working Out Scheduling Issues
One of the problems that parents of multiples face is getting their kids to and from their individual activities, as well as being able to show up for games and recitals that overlap. The best way to deal with scheduling challenges is to set up an official family activity schedule. On this schedule have your kids identify what games or events that they really want you to show up to and ones that aren't as important. Then figure out how your kids will get to each practice, how they will get home and how they will get to and from games and special events. Talk to your boss about adjusting your work schedule so that you can attend the important events.