1 ipod nano + 2 ipod shuffles = confusion

Question

i purchased 2 ipod shuffles for my sons at Christmas.  I want to add them to my account and set up separate libraries for them.  I have an ipod nano (3rd generation).  Can I add them to my account and set up different libraries for all of us?

Answer 1

It's not an "account" (like the Apple ID you use with the iTunes Store).  iPods sync to your iTunes library.  You can sync as many iPods (and other Apple devices like iPhone and iPad) as you want to one iTunes library.  You can set up each device to sync separately to the songs in your ONE iTunes library.
This is how I would do it...  Create two playlists in your iTunes library, one each for your sons.  Name them appropriately.  Add the songs you want on each son's shuffle to their respective playlists.  (If you want the same songs on both shuffle, you can just create one playlist.)
You can connect both shuffles at the same time (or one at a time).  If the iTunes sidebar (along left side of window) is not visible, from the menu bar, under View, select Show Sidebar.  Each shuffle appears in the sidebar, under DEVICES.  If both are connected, they are both listed there, and if you connect your nano, it is listed there as well.  If you have not already, you should name the shuffles so ownership is clear.  (You can rename an iPod by selecting it in the sidebar and clicking on its name a second time.)
Select one of the shuffles in the sidebar.  To the right, the shuffle's Summary screen is shown.  Toward the top, where it says Summary, click on Music to the right of Summary.  This Music screen is where you tell iTunes how to sync songs to that iPod.
Check the box to Sync Music.  Choose the option to sync Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres.  Below that, look under Playlists to find that new playlist you created for that son.  Select (checkmark) it.  You don't have to select anything else.  When you click Apply, the songs from that playlist sync to the shuffle.
Repeat for the other shuffle, selecting the other son's playlist on its Music screen.
Going forward, to update each son's shuffle, just update their playlists in your iTunes library (add/remove songs).  The shuffles do not need to be connected, so your sons can be using them.  The next time you connect the shuffles (or when you click Sync if already connected), iTunes automatically updates each shuffle with the same changes.
You can keep using your iPod nano as you have been.  The setup for two shuffle's does not affect the existing setup for your nano.  And you can update the settings on your nano without affecting the shuffles.  iTunes treats each device separately.