When the twins were little I adored being stopped in the street by everyone who wanted to comment on my beautiful babies. So much so that I grew resentful when I would leave the house and people wouldn’t approach me in the street. I think I became a little obsessive as I felt people simply had to comment on how well I was doing and how gorgeous the little ones were and in retrospect I do apologise to anyone whose ankles I clipped with my double buggy in order to get your attention.
I also loved the fabulously intrusive comments and downright daft comments I would receive from people. Just for the record folks boys have a willy and girls don’t so therefore they cannot be identical.
Five presumptions most people make about me and the twins are:
1. The twins were born prematurely
Nope they were far too comfy and I had to boot them out at 38 weeks by means of induction. I couldn’t stand up without fear of my belly dragging me over.
2. They were born by C section
Correct, but it was an emergency I did have a crack at pushing, it bloody hurt as well! – my mum had a natural delivery with twins – it is possible.
3. They weren’t breastfed
True – but I tried and couldn’t get them to latch on. Mummies of twins can (and do) breastfeed.
4. My Grandma must be mum to twins
See point 2. – It doesn’t skip a blooming generation. Thanks to whoever started spreading that rumour!
5. I have the perfect family, one of each
What would people had said if I had two boys? “Better luck next time” or “C’mon woman get back in the bedroom and try harder next time!”
6. You must be Superwoman to cope with twins
It’s true; I am often seen with my knickers on top of my trousers and a small child masquerading as a cape swinging from my shoulders
This quick post was inspired today by a rather funny video, check it out at twin mums – it will make you laugh
I do hope you wear your “nice”knickers outside your trousers!!! Love the cape too!!!
I can’t believe the questions and conclusions people make about twins.
My favourite is a mummy who was in special care with me, had twin boy and twin girl too. Often asked “are they identical?” Are people that stupid…..don’t answer that!
Heard them all! I would add – They are IVF babies (?!) and I must never ever get any sleep.
The number of people who ask if they’re identical. I just wiggle my little finger now, raise my eyebrows, and say, ‘well no, there is one significant difference’!
My friend has non identical boys. People used to knock on her door and ask to look at them – what’s that all about?
That clip had me in stitches Jane. It was fab.
My bug bear wa always ‘are they natural?’. I occasionally answered ‘No rubber!’.
Great post, Mich x
A friend of mine with twins is sick to the teeth of people asking her if they are IVF babies. Like it is any of their business anyway and so what if they are *sigh* Love the mental image I have of you with a twin hanging off your shoulder pretending to be a cape 😀 Jen
Haha! Gotta love those twin myths, eh!?
– My twins WERE prem, but I know of a lot of women who actually carried their multiples to term and further.
-One of my twins was born naturally after a 3 day long unmedicated natural labour, the other was born via emergency c-section. Given a twin pregnancy again I’d 100% go for a VBAC. It CAN be done!
-My twins are 11 months old and are still breastfeed 🙂 And that’s despite them being prem and having a whole SCBUnit seemingly against the idea of me feeding them myself (see: http://here-come-the-girls.blogspot.com/2010/10/perfect-mother.html)
-There are no twins in my family.
-My family is not complete. Sure enough I’m stopping for now as I do have my hands full 😉 but there are more children in my future, be it further pregnancies, fostering or adopting I don’t know. My family is perfect but having twins doesn’t automatically mean that I am “done”.
-Some days I do feel like superwoman actually. Then there are days like today, where I am just muddling through it an hour at a time and repeating to myself, “it will get easier”.
I loved that video. So much of it I can relate to as a conversation I have with total strangers nearly every day. I especially loved the tampon retort. I get all sorts of silly comments. My favorite is, “Oh wow, they’re identical aren’t they!” Me: “Yes, yes they are.” Stranger: “Is it one of each, a boy and a girl?” Me: “Yes, that’s why they are both dressed in pink and look the same”.
Love this post! Have also heard all these when mine were babies.
Lady in shop “Are they identical?”
Me “They are a boy and a girl”
Lady in shop “Yes, but are they identical?”
Unbelievable!!
LOL I loved this post. My sister in law had twin girls nine weeks before I had my first boys. I know how hard it is but it has a lot of plus points having two. I have the same people look at me with my two boys and say you trying for a girl next time? I think it’s rude. Babies and children are a blessing and just beautiful whether pink or blue xx
What a visual! Love the knickers over the trousers! Twins or not, people make assumptions! Thanks for once again making me smile.