[Mummalovin]

Oh the Double Trouble thing got to me so when my girls and 3 lots of boy twins started school this year I told the journo "please don't use the double trouble line" Thankfully she didn't LOL

I love seeing "new" twins as mine are now 9.5 and 6. Sometimes I'll speak to the Mum but sometimes I see the look in their eye that seems like "if I have to speak to one more person I'll scream" (well maybe that's how I felt)

I remember the 1st time we went out with both pairs, DS and DD1 in the shopping trolley with DH and DDs 2 & 3 in the pram, well the looks we got Now days it's very rare for DS and DD1 to be noticed as twins (more to do with the boy/girl thing thatn any difference in size I think) and occasionally DDs 2&3 will get the "are you twins" question.

I love being a twin Mum, I do find it so special to see the interaction they have together and I think that it is specail for twin Dads too as they get to have a baby as well.

I get to wave my "freak flag" sometimes when I meet a new person who doesn't know I have 2 lots of twins and I get to see the fear in their eyes LOL. I have a sticker for my car that says "you can't scare me I have two sets of twins"!!!!

[Ailime]

They attention dies down as they get older, or at least that's what I have found. Which in my opinion, is a relief.

I think the reason you're getting more attention from Chinese tourists is that the incidence of 'twinning' in most Asian cultures is much lower than in other parts of the world. Highest in Africa, if I recall correctly.

In addition, as a result of the one child policy in China, having twins is seen as VERY lucky, especially twin boys! Because then you beat the law

I agree with G+2.
My OB also mentioned similar thing about the incidence of twinning (highest in Africa, lowest in Mongoloid/Chinese).

In addition, in some place/culture where boys are valued "more" than girls, having twin boys also means the mother will be seen as "very clever"

[DenverBlossom]

Your story rings very true, people seem to be obsessed with twins. I have identical twin girls who are now 2.5yrs old and they have heard the phrase "Double Trouble" that many times from strangers that since the age of around 20 months they themselves starting saying "Double Trouble" in reponse to anyone approaching them and saying "Oh look twins". It makes me laugh to hear my girls get in first with this cliche but I do wish it was something more like "Double Delights".

[Ehubrydd]

I am not a twin mum, I have a close gap between my boys and they are similar in size now. I get asked if they're twins on every trip out, believe it or not it started when my youngest was less than 6mo! I get a ton of other comments about my enjoyment of sex and pregnancy when I say they're not twins. The boys have their photos taken with tourists regularly too, but everyone always asks me first, and we get 'double trouble' a lot too. One time a car pulled over to where we were walking on the footpath just so the driver could yell 'double trouble' out the window at me and speed away. I taught my older son to say 'I'm just trouble, my brother is double trouble'.

[JJC+2]

I have 5mth old twin boys and can not go anywhere without it taking twice as long as it used to due to the cooing ect over my beautiful babies. I love the attention, everyone wants to show off their children and i'm lucky enough that people are fascinated with twins and want to look. However if im not in the mood for a chat or need to move quickly. I either don't take them (if its an option) or cover their pram..but make sure their cute little legs aren't sticking out. Thats all it takes to draw the crowds.

I had to reprimand my 6yr son for being rude not long ago. We were doing xmas shopping and must have heard "double trouble" at least 10 times. A lovely older lady came up and said it...my son must have just had enough and muttered under his breath "is that all you have got, come up with something new" I gave him a look and he hid behind me muttering .."if I hear double trouble one more time im going to scream". Luckily the lady didn't realise the issues my eldest was having as she was too busy playing peek a boo with the babies!
I have never had anyone say 'twice as nice" so if you don't mind that is going to be my new comeback. I am constantly saying.."no, they are really good babies".

[prue~c]

I have never had anyone say 'twice as nice" so if you don't mind that is going to be my new comeback.

Please use it!! Actually, the "Dynamic Duo" comeback was told to me by this gorgeous elderly man who was entranced by the boys. I was babysitting my nephew at the time, who is two weeks older than the boys, and he thought I had triplets!

[Peevish]

I'm guilty of going ooh and ahh over twins. Sorry! Although, I definitely don't say naff things like double trouble, I just compliment the mother on her beautiful babies.

Also as for the "are they twins?" comments. My nanny gets this constantly as she looks after my DD with another girl the same age and they are similar looking. She has given up explaining the nanny share situation and just says yes to keep it simple.

[shoopdeboop]

"Double trouble" or "Did you know you were having twins?" never really annoyed me. I also got that all the time and still do now that they are 10 years old. People are just interested in the whole concept of twins.
The comments that have reaaaally always peeved me are these:

To be honest I think having twins would have been easier for me then having my DD and DS 16mths apart.

I cannot tell you how many times people have told me they know exactly what it's like because their children are a year apart or however many months apart.
Really? I would have LOVED to experience just having one baby. Even for a few months. Being able to go down any aisle in a supermarket, and then choosing whichever checkout looks quickest -which I could never do as my pram only fit down the 10,000 items or more checkouts when I was never able to get more than a few things with a double pram in tow.
Really just leaving the house with two babies is an epic adventure as it took around an hour to get ready, and then get to wherever you're going and it's time for feeding no.1. That's over and it's time to feed no.2.
And really, trying to get TWO newborns into sleeping routines rather than one that is old enough to be in a routine plus a newborn?

Oh man, don't get me going. The only comment I never could and still can't to this day stand.

[*mylittleprince*]

Great post.

I'm 15 weeks pregnant wth twins and very excited. When we started sharing the news I got so many "double trouble/it's going to be really hard/how will you leave the house, etc" and was a bit upset. Older people or people with a few kids often say "what a blessing/ it's going to be great, etc". It was a big shock for us but after a miscarriage last year we are so happy to be pregnant.

I really dislike negative people. When first time moms tell me they are pregnant I always tell them about the joys and good times rather than birth, sleep deprivation, etc. We need encouragement not fear.

[Winnie75]

I have four month old twins, a boy and a girl and I do love the attention they get! People are always fascinated by twins. Especially older people. We get so many people stopping to look, it's very cute. The comments always start off with the usual "are they twins?", followed by "what are they?". When I reply that they are a boy and a girl, you wouldn't believe how many people ask "are they identical?". Umm..yeah, totally identical except for the fact he has a penis and she doesn't!! I have to stop myself from laughing at this as most people just don't click to it.

I hardly ever get the "double trouble". In fact most people comment "aren't you lucky!". I always agree. . Well almost all the time, depends on whether I have slept in the last 72 hours.

I also have a three year old so don't want to comment on twins versus having two kids close together as I only know twins. All I know is that there is a personal landfill out there populated with disposable nappies solely from my three kids!! And boy do I miss my single buggy.

Winnie