Would be so hard for identical twins (and thier mother, me)

It's a nightmare. Nobody can tell my girls apart. They wear their hair differently, one plaits, one ponytails but still nobody can. They have to share a class because there is no other kindergarten unfortunately. And my biggest heartbreak is that one overshadows the other.

I watch while DT1 gets award after award, yet DT2 has yet to get one. she tries like mad to please her teacher but her sister keeps getting them. I want to scream! I never ever imagine school would create so many twin issues. I've already come home crying once because of it.

It's really hard because you have to feel joy for one daughter because she is doing so well but at the same time watch her twin becoming more and more lost. I feel like I'm going cry again writing that.

I wish there were two classes. I was one of those twin mothers who said for 5 years that she wouldn't ever seperate her twins in school unless they wanted. I would now give anything to seperate them.

I just have to vent. Thanks for listening guys. I had to vent to people that can understand.

wow-this must be really hard for you!J&C are a while off school yet(only 3yrs) but already there are big differences in their abilities.....I guess its up to the school/teachers to focus on each and every childs individual areas of talent...... a friend has her kids at a school where each week a child gets an award for something (but they make it so its a different child each week so eventually every child has had an award for SOMETHING no matter how trivial)

Must be hard having ID twins...J&C are the most non identical boys you could ever see and they STILL manage to mix them up at daycare sometimes (pure laziness I'd say)....people think 'twins...I cant possibly remember who's who....'

Take care-



Caz Joel and Cam at 2 1/2years old-now 3 years old

Oh that just breaks my heart!

I already see so many of things you describe happening to your girls at school happening with my girls and our families as they are also very much alike and people often don't try to tell them apart. The thought of school just scares me silly!

But I'd be speaking to the teacher really quickly. Perhaps she/he has never taught twins before, or doesn't realise there can be some special issues that arise with this. There are books for teachers about teaching multiples (well there is one for preschool teachers so I assume there is one for primary as well). There is also an Aussie website about multiples in schools that outlines some rights and issues.... if I can find the link I'll post it.

It just seems to me like this just isn't good enough. Whether they are twins or not each child has individual needs, challenges and merits and it seems like there is really something missing in this teachers attitude and ability. Your girls and yourself shouldn't have to go through this!

Sending you big hugs and I hope you can resolve this soon.

Kate

PS - here is that link
http://www.curtin.edu.au/corporate/multiplebirths/index.htm

there is a good link t an article about twins in school, what teachers should know... maybe you could start by sending that to their teacher?? Hope this helps.


We are moving house! Yipee!!

cmf and katef, thank you so much for your support.

I'm going to check out that website, Kate. Thanks for the link.

cmf, the system you discribe sounds like a much better one. each child getting an award no matter what. Children need to be nurtured at this stage so they don't lose any desire to learn.

Okay, i'm off to check out the site and I think I will make an appointment with the school councellor surely she will know twin issues in school? Though my girls are the only twins in the school.

Thank you again.

Sounds like it must be very hard!

As a mum I can understand that it would be hard to see one twin get awards while the other doesn't! I'd also be having a short word with the teacher.

I have no idea how we will go when the girls got to school. Mine are ID, but to me they look soo different. They go to daycare at the moment & I think the carers tell them apart going by their personalities.

Hope the whole situation improves for your girls soon.

Belinda

Hi

We are going through a similar thing with my girls. I get frustrated at the teachers as they seem to *lump* them together all the time, not appreciating them as individuals.

Kelsey has picked up a lot more (reading and writing) and seems much more gifted in these areas than Georgia BUT Georgia seems much more gifted sports wise (we had been going to Little Athletics and she excelled in this area)

I am sorry for you and your situation...it is really hard isn't it?

My girls are also identical and we used to wear different hair bands in their hair..Georgia would always have maroon (school colour) and white and Kelsey would only have maroon. The teacher's picked up on that quickly and now it isn't an issue telling 'them apart..it is just the 'twins have done this' or the twins have done that' rather than "Georgia has done this" that I dislike. For example they have both recieved super kids of the week twice this year.....both on exactly the same day for exactly the same thing :confuse: I would love them to be judged on *their own* merits not their joint ones!

I will check out that link site too...thanks for that!

Good luck.

Amanda
Georgia and Kelsey 26.3.99
Piper 1.7.04