The Subject of Public Curiosity

This is for all those other multiples mom’s out there and for a better understanding of multiples for everyone else. It’s really just for laughs. When the day arrives that you feel confident and capable enough to venture out with your multiples, you will rejoice-loudly! It’s also a good idea to be aware that although the incidence of twins is still on the rise in this country, and their existence sometimes seems as common as the need for a diaper to be changed, strangers’ questions and comments may cause you to question whether or not your multiples are the only ones they’ve ever encountered. You simply would not believe how interested perfect strangers can be in the conception and management of your babies. One could pen an entire book on the comments you are likely to receive, the questions you will probably be asked.

When people find out we have QUADRUPLETS, it’s like, they LOSE their MINDS!

Here are some of the more common questions you are sure to be asked and comments people will make.

Are they twins? There are four of them…that means they are Quadruplets.

What kind of fertility drugs did you take? NONE!!! We were not trying to get pregnant. I was on a form of birth control pill called Yasmin.

Do twins run in your family? They do now!

Which side of your family do twins run on? Regardless what genetically runs on the fathers side… twins are only passed down from the mother’s side.

Wow, I’m sure glad it’s you and not me! Me too! I would not change my life for a second.

How do you do it? Very carefully. Take one day at a time. Just like you do it with a singleton, just takes more time, more energy, more organization, more trips to the grocery store, and a lot more patience.

You sure do have your hands full.You can say that again!

Which one is smarter? Does anyone ever answer this question about their children?

Are they identical? First off, do they look identical? Second, they have different color hair and eyes. Third, If they were really identical they would all be the same sex.

Which one is older? You are talking about a matter of minutes. Hudson, then Madison, then Candice and then Samantha. 

How come their names don’t match? No one would ever ask a mother of singletons to label her children in this way! When we chose names for children, we purposely selected ones that didn’t sound too “twinny.” Yet, the general public always seems disappointed that their names don’t rhyme, start with the same letter, or otherwise “go together.” They all start with different letters making it easier for them to learn the difference between each others names and labelling what belongs to who.

How do you tell them apart? Look at them!

Do you ever dress them alike? Sometimes. Depends on what clothes are clean and the right size. Most of the time they are dressed different, not to tell them apart… just because we use what we have.

Do you love one of them more than another?Are you serious?!

Can I hold one? Why certainly, to the individual who looks like they haven’t washed their hands in fifteen years and might possibly be a mass murderer! Please let me hand you the most prized possession I have on this earth! That would certainly be a fantastic idea. While I’m at it, why don’t I give you my credit cards and social security number for safekeeping?

Was the pregnancy hard? Nah. I was only on bed rest from 14 weeks till delivery at 26 ½ and in the hospital from complications afterwards totaling my hospital stay to 99 days.

Do you get any sleep? No, we are walking zombies. They are almost 2 years old. They have been sleeping through the night for over a year.