As a general rule, I just love sharing my babies with the world. I love the sweet smiles and ooh’s and goo’s. And although the “Wow! You’ve got your hands full!” and “Double trouble!” comments get a little old after a while, I ultimately still just beam when people comment on the girls.
But seeing a couple of cute little babies seems to have a really strange effect on some folks…it seems to make them open their mouths and say things that don’t really make sense, or are otherwise just plain rude.
On several occasions, people have asked me, “Are they natural?” Folks are obviously referring to the conception of the girls, given the heightened awareness of fertility treatments these days. I have a couple of preferred responses to this one, depending on the audience.
For the nosy person who should really mind her own business, I’ll remark, “Yep! They’re 100% human!”
And for the little old lady (who should also mind her own business, by the way), I’ll lament, “Unfortunately, I had to have a c-section.”
Both responses usually take people off guard. Some really persistent people will try to explain what they meant. Others just give me a puzzled look, usually followed by a sympathetic smile. Perhaps they assume I’m a little off-kilter myself, my brain surely about to short-circuit from the stress of twins.
The craziest comment I have gotten to date was from a waiter at a restaurant, when my husband and I had the girls out for lunch a couple of months ago. He said, “Wow, twins?” Yes, they are. “Are they both yours?”
Not just, “Are they yours?”, which would be a strange enough question (and one that I’ve gotten a couple of times…why I would be lugging around someone else’s twins, I don’t know). But by definition (save for some really bizarre reproductive snafu), twins generally go together…as in, where one belongs, so does the other.
I just had to laugh. We got extra good service that meal, though. He was probably worried his goofiness would affect his tip.
If things weren't interesting enough being out and about with twins, I can usually depend on the general public for a good chuckle now and again.
(Link over to the Multiples & More Blog Network to check out other responses to this Question of the Week!)
6 comments:
Unfortunately, you don't get a break from stupid questions when you have a single baby either. But I'll bet people come up with twice as many ridiculous questions/remarks with twins! --Marilyn
I hear ya!! I was once asked if both babes were mine and after I said "yes" she asked if they were a month apart. How would that be possible? Some people just lose their minds around babies I guess!!
I think I will use the C-section comment when asked if my twins are "natural". That's a good one! Thanks for stopping by!
Yep...I've heard them all, too. I know that people are REALLY gonna be confused when we start taking our twins out a little more because they look TOTALLY opposite! Don't you just want to look at some people and ask, "Did you think about that before you said it? Really?"
People do say the strangest of things, but like you, I do love the attention my kids still get (at 2) when we're out in public. It can be tricky if we really need to get in and out, but can also be really helpful when someone is distracting them while we're waiting in line to pay. We tend to shop at the same places, and so my kids know a handful of the day workers at some of the places we frequent. I love that we have more than just the "Did you find everything okay today" type of interaction. It gives our town a real community type of feeling.
I just found your blog. I have 12-month-old twin boys, a 3-year-old, a 6-year-old, and an 8-year-old. And you are exactly right! A few weeks ago, we were hiking at a National Park. We had to ride a tram to get there. When we got on, it was packed, so we spread out a bit. When it was time to get off, I called for my 3-year-old who was sitting two rows behind us. The man next to me said, "OMG! There's more!" It was pretty rude to yell that out, but it made me smile at the same time.
Your girls are simply gorgeous. You are one amazing mommy!
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