There is something very special about twins that seems to fascinate people you meet – especially when they see two very similar sized babies in the same pram or pushchair.
Being parents of twins ourselves – a boy and girl, now 13 years old, (known endearingly as “Pink” and “Blue” and usually dressed accordingly), there was a question I always waited for when out and about.
We would be approached in the supermarket or in the park and despite the obvious visual clue of their stereotyped colour coordination, the conversation would go something like this:
“Twins! How cute! Are they identical?” I would often answer, “No, they are a boy and a girl!” to which they would again ask, “Yes, but are they identical?” Really???
I guess that unless twins have crossed your path previously, or you have studied genetics, perhaps it’s to be expected, that people would not automatically know that boy and girl twins can’t possibly be identical! But when you have twins on the way, you suddenly becomes an “expert” on multiple births and need to find out all there is to know. We found TAMBA, the Twins and Multiple Births Association a great source of support with factual information and practical advice.
But however much you read or research during the pregnancy, nothing quite prepares you for the demands of two dependant infants, both needing attention for the same thing at the same time! Not to mention the cost and space that needing 2 of everything takes up!
We got through the first year in a bit of a blur and our twins were almost 12 months before we ventured to take our twins with us to stay overnight with friends (who have no kids). The sheer logistics of everything you had to take, including 2 travel cots, 2 travel high chairs, changing mat, monitor, kiddy plates/ cups and so on, socket covers, bath seat (can we make do with one or do we take two so they can bath together?) – in fact so much “stuff” I’m surprised we didn’t just call the trip off!
When they were 4 years old, we moved from Warwickshire to Bude in Cornwall to take on Broomhill Manor, a collection of self-catering holiday cottages. Broomhill Manor became our home and also our business which meant the twins could grow up in a wonderful environment with all the child friendly facilities they could wish for, literally on their doorstep.
In the 10 years we have been here, we have welcomed dozens of sets of twins, and a couple of sets of triplets. We are geared up to take away the pain of travelling with a shipping load of baby equipment and provide everything you need, all set up and ready for you when you get here. June and September tend to be popular for toddler holidays and in a typical week we put 6-10 items of baby equipment in each cottage – significantly more that this when twins or triplets are involved!
Children love it here – especially the tropically heated swimming pool, the Under 6’s play room and the pony rides! And parents love the spa treatments, the baby sitting service, and the in-cottage dining, so there is something to please everyone! We particularly love to welcome toddler twins to Broomhill Manor – and we promise not to ask whether they are identical, unless they possibly could be!!
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