Three years of parenting has taught us a lot...
DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR A FIRST-TIME DAD OF TWINS
“AYE, two, there’s two of ‘em,” said the Irish man scanning Victoria’s stomach.
That was three years ago, and those ambiguous words sparked panic, joy and initially confusion.
Simply because I had no idea whether he meant two arms, legs or worst-case scenario, noses.
As it turned out there were two noses but thankfully on different heads.
It was a time of tremendous confusion in which we were genuinely clueless as to how to care for babies. Reassuringly, we had our surrogate
grandparents, the internet, which provided us with all the answers we needed and lots we didn’t.
For back-up, I bought books like Discipline: Don’t let them get away with it or Baby 101: How to be the Perfect Parent.
Finally, there were actual people in our lives, who were full of ideas, opinions and suggestions as to what we should be doing, when we should be doing it and why we’re doing it wrong. Admittedly, some of those opinions were a little too strongly held and could often lead to tension at family gatherings but they gave us direction.
Thankfully, three years in and we’re experts, or at least selfreliant, mostly because nobody is allowed to enter the house. The books, like everything else, are hidden under toys, clothes or something twin related. Obviously, we still use Granny Google to investigate any kind of medical concern, which pretty much always provides us with a terrifying worst-case scenario, leaving me anxious until reality creeps back in. Although there are still questions