Family of Triplets Fined After Being Delayed by Gawkers

I couldn't believe this story! Yet, somehow I can, as the circumstances are all too familiar. A couple in England with eight-month-old triplets took a trip into town to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary. With their triplets in a stroller, they were constantly stopped by onlookers who wanted to look at the babies, a scenario all too familiar to parents of multiples. By the time they returned to their car, they were ten minutes past the limit on their parking fee and had ben issued a parking ticket. TThe family appealed the fine, but lost the appeal and now must pay 50 pounds (about $78 in the U.S.) altohough they have an opportunity to reduce that by half if they pay it within fourteen days.

I think parents of multiples might be able to use to their advantage when faced with curious onlookers. "Sorry, I must go. I'm parked at a meter and don't want to get fined!" is a convenient way to bypass the gawkers without seeming rude.

In the Public Eye: Handling Unwanted Attention