i have a friend named allen who has recently found out he’s going to become a father to twins. having “dabbled in the double” myself, i feel much excitment for all that awaits him from his perfect pair. i decided to construct a list of the “top five best things about being a parent of twins”, and hope it can serve to stoke the fires of excitement for allen and his lovely wife donna.
#1. speed. there’s no doubt about it, you’re getting a turbo boost on the family. you have removed one tough nine month period from the landscape, and yet still gotten its benefit. the first time you see your family portrait with the extra people in frame, you’ll realize how fast you’ve gone.
#2. attention. there’s more of it from everyone. twins immediately arouse people’s curiosity, and they aren’t shy about it. you will answer questions and accept praise about your children simply for the fact that they went through gestation at the same time. people love twins.
#3. synergy. it might seem counter-intuitive, but twins are easier to take care of than two children of different ages. the bath goes faster, the bedtime story is read to both at the same time, and they share the same schedual. you’ll appreciate this fact for many years to come!
#4. reference. you have a built-in way to judge levels of independance, courage, and learning. the disparities of these traits will change through the years, and it’s a kick to watch it happening. the similarity in age is the trick, but the differences between them is where the magic lies.
#5. stereo. of course it can be overwhelming at time, but having two voices of the same age calling out to you, hearing two sets of similarly-sized feet pattering down the hallway, and holding two of your children in your arms at the same time, and in balance, is an experience only the luckiest of parents gets to have.
allen, i know you will find truth in each one of these good things. i wish you nothing but luck in your twinventure!
