Nearly every time we go out, I'm asked if they are twins. I don't mind these questions, nor the strangers who approach us. It's easy to politely say, "no" and smile. The odd thing is, the most common response to my answer is, "Really?"
Yes, really.
As in, really... I'd claim it if I had twins.
As in, really... the one who looks like he's younger, speaks like he's younger, and acts like he's younger, really is younger.
As in, really... I experienced pregnancy, labor, and parenting an infant... two separate times.
Really.
I've mixed my answer to this odd question - from explaining: "Yes. They're just 1 1/2 years apart," or "Yeah, they're just close brothers," to simply reassuring them of my honesty: "Yes, really."
However, many people leave their manners somewhere in the bottom of their pockets and challenge my patience. This is where I tire of the little exchanges with strangers. This is where I wish my children didn't have to live in a fishbowl every time we go out. People who otherwise had nothing in common with me but time and place, suddenly feel compelled to comment on our life.
"Wow - I don't know how you do it." (Of course you don't. Half the time, I don't know how I do it. But really, these boys are a wonderful blessing and I'd appreciate it if you didn't imply - in front of them, no less - that they're drudgery.)
"Whoa - that's close." (Close to what? A modern miracle? A photo finish? Close?!?)
And of course, the let-me-tell-you-my-story response: "My brother/daughter/second cousin was close in age like that, and it was wonderful/crazy/awful/yada yada yada..."
So recently I tried something new. We were in the grocery store, counting granny smith apples into our bag, and a lady complimented the boys' matching (homemade) pumpkin hats.
"Thanks," I smiled.
Here it comes... "Are they twins?"
"Nope." Again, with a smile.
"Really?!"
I smile, "Yeah. They're four months apart."
She stood there, shocked, puzzled, and perplexed as I walked toward the bagels and peanut butter, chatting with my boys about our shopping list.
Really.
5 comments:
Perfect!!
I. LOVE. IT.
i'm going to steal that and use it on some poor unsuspecting victim someday. of course, my kiddos aren't yet being mistaken for twins, but they are only twenty months apart, and i'm already getting my fair share of "breeder model" comments to go with all of the unsolicited parenting advise. (my favorite was the tiny pakistani grandma who cornered me in the bulk foods section of central market and told me how lots of babies make for a bad back. she punctuated her speech by periodically yanking elasaid's thumb from her mouth with mock ferocity and the words, "such a bad, bad baby!" =0)
Good to have you back, Whitney! I've misplaced your blog address - so sometime post it or email it to me?
Yes, I admit, it's more sarcastic than I usually am with strangers, but it felt really good to speculate on what she was thinking as I walked away. I had to hold back giggles. :)
Great come back.
Honestly, I don't know why strangers make it their business to organize our children by category. I saw a mom at the children's museum the other day with what I'm pretty sure were QUADS. I can't be sure because I didn't ask. :-)
thanks, LM. I don't mind the question, but those who challenge my answer do get old. Today I was asked if they were twins by a couple construction workers - when I said, "no," they BOTH replied, "No kidding? They sure look like it!"
I'm wondering if I should act surprised and say, "Oh! You're right! Maybe they ARE twins, after all!"
Really.
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