Blog Name
The Boys: Raising Identical Twins
Blog URL
http://twinsblog.troupsburg.com/
Your Name (or Nickname)
Lori Duffy Foster
What You Blog About
I blog about the challenges of raising identical twins.
Your Twins or Multiples
My husband and I knew we'd marry soon after we met in 1993 in a newsroom, where we were both journalists. The only thing we argued about was kids. He felt two was enough. I come from a family of 8 kids. I wanted 4. After the first two were born -- a boy and a girl -- I decided he was right. Life was easy with two. Why make it harder? Then, when the older kids were 5 and 6, our little surprises came along, identical twins Matthew and Jonathan. We have lived in Syracuse, Phoenix and Cincinnati, but we recently settled near family in rural north-central Pennsylvania, where we plan stay.
Why You Blog
We thought we were done having kids when, at 40 years old, I discovered I was pregnant again. At the 20-week ultrasound we got another surprise when we learned I was carrying twins. We were assured they were fraternal, which was a great relief to me. I was terrified by the thought of having two boys who looked alike. But then they were born and our pediatrician congratulated us on our identical boys.
DNA tests proved him right.
I searched everywhere for information specific to raising identicals and found very little. Then, when Matthew and Jonathan were about 9 months old, my husband suggested that I try blogging as a means of keeping my writing fresh. Raising identical twins seemed like a natural fit for a topic. I use the blog to share my own experiences, observations and research in ways that I hope will help other parents of identical twins. I have learned so much in my research and interviews and I have connected with some wonderful people.
That's what keeps me going: the knowledge that I am helping others who might experience the same unfounded fears I did about raising identical twins, the people I have connected with and my own love of writing.
Advice
- Find a niche, something few others are writing about. Something that intrigues you. Understand that you and your family alone hold limited interest. Don't just write about your twins or triplets or quads or more. Reach further. Pull in research. Pull in experts or other parents. Universalize. Write something that you would enjoy reading.
