My daughters started middle school this year.
(Long-time readers will now join me in picking their jaws off the floor. How did they get so big?)
They’re taking almost all the same classes, but they’re in different sections. They see each other at lunch and in science class, but otherwise do their own thing during the school day. One of them wears her glasses all the time, while the other takes them out only to read the white board. They haven’t dressed alike in years.
The school hosted an open house for parents after the students had time to adjust to their schedules and get to know their teachers. As I introduced myself to their teachers, pointing out the kids I belonged to, I saw realization strike over and over again. Even their science teacher, who sees them side by side in her classroom, hadn’t realized that they were related to each, much less that they were identical. After all, Rodriguez is a rather common last name in Texas.
I’ve gone from a parent of identical twinfants who needed to help people learn to tell them apart to a parent of kids who just happen to be sisters. It’s been a long transition, sometimes bumpy, but mostly gentle. There’s part of me that misses the celebrity that came with being noticed as a mother of twins. The larger part, though, is so happy that each of my daughters has found her comfort zone.
They love being sisters, but they don’t feel the need to advertise it. Their friends see them as individuals first, but honor the primary role each plays in her sister’s life. I think that’s a healthy place to be.
When the children were picking band instruments at the end of last year, one of my girls waffled back and back between oboe and clarinet, occasionally feeling drawn toward the trombone. The band teacher let her take her time, talking her through the roles each played in the band. When she brought up feeling conflicted about playing the same instrument as her sister (oboe), the teacher handled it perfectly.
“Play what you want to play. It’s not about your sister. It’s about you.”
I’m in a healthy place myself. As the other teachers came to realize that these two kids in their classes were sisters, I didn’t even feel the urge to point out that they were identical. As fascinating as it continues to be to me that theirs was a mono-di gestation, it has nothing to do with how each child is doing at school nor with her relationship with her teachers. It’s interesting, but not instructional.
I’m growing up too. I’m a Mom first, these days. The Mom of Twins title is far less salient than it once was.
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Hi Sadia! So excited to see you post again. I really miss your wise maternity insights. Great to hear of the girls new adventures (if they ever want to become musicians, the oboe is a great choice, always hard to find good oboists).
I am homeschooling now as my school options here are not that good.
Hi Sadia
Wow ! Your daughters are in middle school now ! I’m one of those long-time readers you mentioned…
I used to read your blog as well. You don’t write as frequently anymore and I do miss your insightful writing. So I’m happy to read this post and know about you and your daughters
Sadia!! – Good to know you are in such a happy place. I picked my jaw off the floor. I do it many times in a week when I look at mine and see two young ladies trying to find their place under the sun.
Here’s to them blossoming into beautiful butterflies. Keep writing my friend (who is just a mom, like me) and yes I do miss the celebrity status too.
It’s good to see your twin daughters are being guided to get an identity of their own. Most of the time whenever I see identical twins, I see the parents tend to dress them the same. They should develop a sense of personal freedom your daughters have.
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super cute twins! love those photos!
You are a happy mother with two lovely daughters, Sadia! I wish I had a twin, so I could know what I look like without mirror haha
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This is a lovely post about your two daughters growing equally together and separately. How special they have experienced the fame of twin-ship and the normality of sisterhood. Wonderful.
Aww, your twins are absolutely adorable. I am loving reading some of your posts as I have Irish twins
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Well, they don’t look identical to me, but that’s ok, right?
They are both beautiful though, I see why you are so proud of them.
And sounds like they’re adjust well in school.
cheers
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