Hey there, fellow parents!
Today, I've got a story to share that's equal parts hilarious and humbling – and it all starts with my adorable trio of kiddos: the twins (Daniel & David) and their younger brother (Eni).
Picture this: bustling through life as a mom of twins plus one, I was pretty convinced I had this whole parenting gig down pat. After all, I'd mastered the art of mummying three boys with ease – or so I thought.
But here's the plot twist: amidst all the chaos and cuddles, I failed to notice that my youngest, the non-twin wonder, was feeling a little left out. Yep, you heard that right – I was unwittingly neglecting my own child!
Now, before you start gasping in horror, let me explain. See, everywhere we went, my twins seemed to steal the spotlight effortlessly. Whether it was at gatherings, school events, or even just a trip to the grocery store, all eyes were on my dynamic duo. And in the midst of all the chaos, my poor little singleton was left feeling like the third wheel.
Here's where the real kicker comes in – I had absolutely no clue this was happening. Nope, not a single inkling. It wasn't until one fateful family session – you know, those designated times where we attempt to have meaningful conversations amidst the chaos of sibling squabbles and spilled juice – that the truth came tumbling out.
There I was, doling out sage advice on sharing and playing nicely, when out of the blue, my baby drops the bombshell: "Mom, Daniel and David already get all the attention everywhere we go! It feels like the whole world already has their back, so I need to have my own back!"
Not Kidding when I say, my eyes welled up with tears. Talk about a wake-up call! In that moment, I realized how strangers would ask me dozens of questions about the twins, while we were out and about, and I would go on and answer without saying much about my sweet singleton because they didn't ask! I did this unconsciously but imagine how a child must feel with this happening always.
Eni's candid confession sparked a much-needed conversation about inclusivity and empathy within our family. It reminded me that while parenting is a whole lot, it's crucial to tune in to each child's unique needs and feelings – even if they're not the loudest ones in the room.
So, fellow parents, let this be a gentle reminder to keep your parental radars finely tuned. Take a moment to really listen to your kids, to validate their feelings, and to create space for them to express themselves freely – even if it means facing some uncomfortable truths along the way.
And hey, let this be a reminder when next you see a family with twins, to also acknowledge the other sibling(s) that isn't a twin.
Let's not forget to inject a healthy dose of humor and humility into the parenting journey. After all, we're all just doing our best to raise tiny humans without completely losing our sanity, right?
So, here's to embracing the ups and downs, learning from our mistakes, and raising a tribe of happy, well-adjusted kiddos who know they're loved – even if they're not the ones stealing the show.
Until next time, keep parenting like a boss, my friends!
Kemi Samuel [Twins&Enny]
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