Are there Positives to expecting twins? A Dad’s point of view.

Yes, from a dad’s point of view there are many advantages to having twins and I would say in some ways easier than having a singleton.

My twins are nearly 3 and since they were born, we have often been approached by well-meaning people normally it’s parents of singletons or the old. They often use the phrase “Oooo double trouble” or say things like, “you have your hands full” the typical reaction that my wife and I give is to nod grin and agree, however, on days where I feel controversial, I sometimes answer them with, “they are no problem at all” or “I think it’s easier than one”

I think my response surprises people and they want you to be a martyr and tell them how hard it is and how you don’t sleep, part of me thinks it because a lot of the people that you meet that have singletons seem to struggle and let their baby take over their lives and they want you to make them feel better and that they haven’t got it together and as you have two you should be worst in a position than them.

You Feel Special.

You get to be part of a special club… not literally but you get the joy of having two babies turn up at once, I am really lucky that I had a boy and a girl arrive at the same time so all of our dreams came true in one day.

You Feel Strong.

The things that you do every day to look after yourself, your wife and your twins make you realise how much you are capable of and how much you can achieve, this spills over into other parts of your life and my family drives me to achieve more for them.

They Have Each Other.

I know it’s a cliché but now they are getting older it is magical to see them play together and no they have a playmate for each other it allows you to have moments to yourself and get some other stuff done. The advantage for your twins will always have a special bond with their twin and they always have someone as a backup.

The Differences.

As similar as they might be especially looking wise if they are identical twins, as your twins grow its amazing to see that two little personalities develop and how that even though they have been exposed to the same things how they see things differently, my boy twin is funny and sensitive and loves the typical boy things planes trains etc, however, my girl twin is determined and strong-minded and she is the typical girl, where she enjoys playing with dolls.

The Perfect Excuse.

My wife loves this one she has the perfect excuse to be late for anything after all who would expect you to be on time when you have two to get ready, however, she relishes the fact that when she meets her friends from the antenatal group, she is always the first one there and she is waiting for her singleton friends.

You Become An Expert Very Quickly.

Because you have two babies, you are an authority on infants. One of them has colic, while the other's eye has been obstructed by something preventing his tears for months. One of them is constipated, while the other has diarrhoea. The other one jumps out of the swing, hitting his nose on the way back, while the first gets his fingers trapped in the door you get used to not worrying too much.

You Become Creative.

All of a sudden you become the centre of the show from doing voices for poor patrol characters, and creating adventures for them, to building tents in the living room to having to sing the Lion King at the top of your voice in the car, to keep them happy with having a boy and a girl it is amazing how adaptable you become to catering to their different tastes.

People Come To You For Advice

We have singleton friends whose children still don't sleep through the night or aren't potty trained having twins do make you more knowledgeable and organised because you have two and they are going through the same thing at the same time but you may have to deal with them differently you become more experienced and because of this people will ask your opinion on what they could do with a certain problem.

Conclusion.

Yes, there are positives to having twins, I feel like our family was complete in one pregnancy and it has caused my wife and me to bond and be closer and rely on each other more for support than we probably would if we’d had two singletons. The pregnancy was harder including the morning sickness for my poor wife however hasn’t got to go through another pregnancy which she is now grateful for. Although it was a massive shock to be told that we were having two, I wouldn’t change it for the world, it is amazing to watch them grow together and see them chat and explore language with each other something I wouldn’t be able to do with a singleton.