Multiple birth club well supported
The Golden Bay Multiple Birth Club: “No one else can really give you the support unless they’ve been there themselves.” Photo: Neil Wilson.
Parents, grandparents and supporters of twins took time out from their busy days to attend the first meeting of the Golden Bay Multiple Birth Club recently.
The meeting was called by Jenna Bowden, mother of Saxon and Quinn (6 months).
“There are 10 sets of twins under three years old in the Bay. I wanted to get together with the other parents and see what we could do to help and support each other,” said Jenna, who was delighted with the turnout for the meeting. I know that there are heaps of sets of older twins in the Bay too. Those families are more than welcome to join in if they want to.”
Mothers at the meeting spoke about their reactions to being told they were expecting twins, the sometimes shocked responses of others and the joys and challenges of parenting multiples.
The new club will offer guidance and advice to parents who are expecting multiples. They also hope to advocate for practical things like supermarket trolleys with space at the front for more than one baby.
“The Multiple Birth Club is a nationwide thing,” said Jenna. “In some places members get discounts on nappies and things. There’s also some really useful resources available and it’s very helpful to just have access to people who have been there themselves.”
Wendy Anderson is the president of the Nelson Multiple Birth Club said that her organisation was delighted to hear that there are 10 young sets of twins in the Bay and that the parents were supporting each other.
“It’s wonderful that they’ve done this. We’re absolutely happy to support them in any way possible. We’d be pleased if they want to remain under our bigger banner and take advantage of what that offers.”
Wendy explained that the experience of parenting multiples is so different in so many ways that the support of people who have the same experience is invaluable.
“No one else can really give you the support unless they’ve been there themselves.”
Neil Wilson
