Paula Wombwell, of Lawrence, got a double dose of motherhood three years ago.

Her identical twin daughters, Heather and Katherine, gave her and her husband, James, some long nights. Her father moved near them in Tennessee to help with the late-night feeding and to help around the house.

“The hard part is newborn to 1-year-old when you are trying to feed them both and sleep at night,” Wombwell said.

She also had another support group to fall back on: The local chapter of the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs.

When the family recently moved to Lawrence, Wombwell joined the Lawrence chapter, which now has 10 members.

This weekend, about 40 mothers of twins and triplets from the six Kansas clubs met for the Kansas Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs annual convention at the SpringHill Suites by Mariott.

Wombwell was elected the state organization’s Web site designer for the year. Besides elections, the members conducted other business during the weekend, including a fundraising auction to benefit two annual scholarships. Group members also participated in a seminar about family issues.

Ellen Lyon, of Hutchinson, left, and Paula Wombwell, Lawrence, set up for the Kansas Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs convention on Saturday at SpringHill Suites by Mariott, 1 Riverfront Plaza. About 40 mothers of twins and triplets attended the event.

The weekend was also about getting some time away from their families.

“There are single moms who are trying to do it on their own, or we have military families where the mom or dad may be away. That’s where the group like this is a huge support,” Wombwell said.

The setting also allows younger women to talk about family experiences with older mothers, whose twins or triplets have grown up.

“It gives you a little bit of a something to shoot for. You don’t get caught in the daily grind of motherhood. You think long term and just listen to their wisdom,” Wombwell said.

Ellen Lyon, of Hutchinson, was elected the state organization’s president for next year. Her twins will be 46 in September. “It’s the friendship and the sharing. It’s still nice to support them,” she said.

The national organization helps researchers conduct studies on twin and triplet behavior.