So you're minding your own business, while pushing a cart full of groceries and babies, when all of sudden you're stopped by a total stranger.
"Twins?" they ask curiously.
"Yes..." you smile politely and wait...
This waiting after the polite smile and nod can be followed by an array of statements and/or questions and can put you in what I like to call a "Say What?" moment. Ranging from inquisitive to just plain weird these moments are common when taking your twins out in public.
I once had a lady argue with me in a check out lane about whether the twins were actually twins! Levi is a little bigger than Liam and they are fraternal, not identical, and with that can bring two completely different looking kids. Most people expect twins to look the same. Then there are the people who will say things like "Oh my you poor thing." or "Double trouble, huh?" and my favorite "Better you than me!" I had a person when seeing I had 3 boys and no girls say right in front of my boys "But didn't you want a girl?" She didn't mean it to be rude and I just replied with a smile "We have so much fun with all these boys and we couldn't imagine it any different."
I have read about other parents of multiples and the remarks they receive. Sometimes it's a little comical. Like asking if boy/girl twins are identical...really identical. Then there are questions that are, I think, no ones business but still get asked by total strangers. Like whether or not your twins were conceived naturally or with medical help. Most people might wonder about it, but usually will not ask. In these situations I always try to be polite, answer questions if you want to, and if I'm trying to get "In & Out" of somewhere I just don't make eye contact. Eye contact is like a tractor beam, it will pull you in and then you're compelled to stop. It's really a little funny when I think about it.
Thankfully there are more polite interactions than weird ones. It makes taking the twins out easier when people are polite and not negative about having twins. I do believe most people, even when making the not so positive remarks, mean well. I would love to hear about other parents "Say What?" moments, so please feel free to leave a comment.
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I had a lady as if our twins were planned. Like, did we PLAN twins. Uh....that's kinda not possible.
ReplyDeleteAlways get the "hands full" thing. I have a necklace from The Vintage Pearl that has their names and says 'my hands are almost as full as my heart!' :)
mine are only 5 months, im sure as the years go on things will get interesting. they look NOTHING alike.