One of our newest members has newborn boy/girl twins. Yesterday she decided to take them to WalMart by herself. I know she was nervous, because she posted it on Facebook, but also because I remember the dread I felt packing my own crew up for the first time on my own. In the beginning, many (definitely not all) new multiple moms have a bit of help. Spouses take time off, grandma comes to town, or other friends and family live close enough to help. Of course, in the first couple weeks, the new mom is often in a lot of pain, told not to carry her babies, and is sleeping a half hour at a time. She needs help.
But then reality sets in and she's on her own--sometimes with other kids, too!
The key to going to the store is planning. I don't just mean your grocery list. I mean knowing which stores have double seat carts, which stores have the cleanest bathrooms with changing tables, going when the store is less busy, and of course, parking near the cart corral. Getting in and out quickly is always the goal of a mom, but even moreso of a multiples mom. But, it rarely happens, especially in the early weeks and months.
Once you're in the store, the planning really begins...quickly. I personally found it easier to put two carseats in one cart while pulling another. Others put each kiddo in the top part and groceries in the main compartment-still needing two carts. Others push a stroller while pulling a cart. Whichever way you choose, you lose. Face it, your shopping crew has become a freak show. People stare, ask terribly personal questions (which I've categorized HERE), and some even take photos. You would think that with twins on the rise that maybe it wouldn't seem like the circus is in town every time you want to grab some essentials. You also have those that judge what's in your cart. Oh, how fun! In the beginning, the looks don't bother you, after all, you like showing off your little cuties. But when you're just trying to get a few things, you don't want to spend an hour or more at the store.
I was told that the novelty of twins wears off at around 2 years of age. I can say that it's been true for me, with the occasional exception. When I dress my girls alike, we still get questions, but for the most part, people leave us alone. I suppose they're not as cute anymore or maybe I don't look nearly as exhausted, or maybe...and this is a long shot, maybe I'm just better at getting in and out. My girls are fraternal and barely look related, so that helps too. With identicals or triplets, I'm not sure the novelty ever wears off. These families, along with families with 4 or more kids, still get the looks and questions.
So when did the novelty wear off for your family? I'd love to hear your experiences.
~Jenny
1 comment:
I remember when my girls were just a few months old and we took them to the zoo in Omaha. By the time we left I was so irritated and remember saying "they should have paid us to come to the zoo since we were the walking attraction." It has definitely gotten better as they have gotten older but we still got fingers pointing and talking about us like we couldn't hear standing in line at Whitey's the other night. Since my girls (6yrs old) are very identical that may just be the way thing are for them. They rarely dress alike (their choice when they do) but it is obvious that they are twins. We don't get approached as much or asked as many questions anymore but I still notice the looks.
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