I'm an identical twin AMA

[DENMAN03]

As the title suggests!! Fire away...

I'm a mirror twin, and we are pretty much split down the middle and cut and pasted. We have opposite hands, cow licks, moles, opposite sides of our faces are slightly lower than the other, opposite hip that rolls inward when we walk etc.

In some rare cases even internal organs can mirror!

If the egg splits a few days past the mirror stage that's when you get conjoined twins.

Wow namechange, I guess twins run in your family! We were total accidents, but went to school with 5 other sets of twins! Rumours of something from nearby naval base getting in the water!!
Neither of us have had twins, though our sons are very alike! My DS has the same moles my twin has though.

Glad to hear it Namechange! Me too ...allegedly..

Didiplanthus, we used to bicker constantly as kids. We shared a room a would draw a line across the middle and if anything crossed it there would be war! She was uber tidy and I was rather messy one. But if it came down to it I would totally be at her side. For example we got bullied at school but always looked out for each other when needed. And actually we didn't need different interests because we actually wanted to be together. They will find their own individual personalities on their own I reckon so don't worry. It's the. Best thing ever having a twin.

Karyatide, yes my closest friends can't even see that much of a similarity these days. They are always the ones who can tell us apart from old photos too when we haven't got a clue who is who!

@jmh740 hope the op doesn't mind me answering - fingerprints are formed after conception so are not genetic related. Everyone will have a unique fingerprint

DidiI - tips

Don’t call them twins, or let anyone else call them twins

Not in same class at school

Don’t dress alike

Don’t compare

Allow them to be themselves

Sometimes I think with twins, is that they know they are individual, and just have to let everyone catch up with their point of view.

Mary - close family and friends yes, others, no.

This thread is really interesting.. I have twins (boy and a girl) and people always come up to ask if they are identical or comment that they look identical.. they are so different I don’t get it!!

It's ridiculous how many people think identical is how similar they look, rather than something genetic. Even more so when they're boy/girl twins?!

My twins although both the same sex are one brown hair and eyes, the other blonde with green eyes. Even so I lost count of the times people said 'are they identical?'!

Urghhh... I HATE people calling them the twins. Or even worse twinnies - bleurghhh. Unfortunately our school is single entry so no chance of splitting.

Did teachers ever confuse you? Did you take advantage of that and try to confuse them?

Yes, the teachers did get us mixed up. We did swap class once just to see if we could get away with it and they didn't notice!!

How old were you when your mum stopped dressing you the same?

Hmmm... can't really remember but probably around 7 or 8?

I have identical twins who are 4.. I dress them differently and try and treat them as individuals but as a grown up twin what is the single best bit of advice to give me as a twin Mum?

Oops cross posted useful tips!

I'm due to have twin girls soon (33 weeks pg now) and super excited! Loving this thread for the tips in ensuring they feel like 2 individual girls and will definitely be dressing them differently (although many people already have bought matching outfits or told me I should dress them the same...!)
Did you share a room with your sister growing up? And as such was it really horrible or strange the first time you spent a night apart?
Did you struggle to make other close friends at school because you were seen to already have a best friend? I was so nervous and shy at school that although I want them to be confident socialising with others, I am happy that they'll be going to school together (although poss in diff classes). Do you have any tips on ensuring that they are confident individuals and can make friends and socialize without the other there too? Sorry for all the questions! I have so many! I am in a bit of a panic having had friendship and self confidence issues myself!

Have you ever performed as a duo? Eg singing/ an instrument etc

The best advice as a grown up twin I would say is to treat us equally. My parents have helped me out a bit financially in the past which my sister didn't need. She was totally fine with it but it made me feel guilty for her!

We had the same room until I moved out at 18. I was always the more adventurous one I guess. Did feel strange yes, but we ended up buying our first house together aged 21.. my twins idea (she the sensible one!) so we weren't apart for too long. Plus I didn't move far. Even now, aged 47 we only live 5 mins apart. When we retire we shall move to France together in the same house.

At school we had friends. It helped that we were not in the same classes. We did get bullied however for how we looked which wasn't nice Most of our friends now are joint friends. I'm lucky to have an amazing circle of friends some of whom I've known for over 35 years. I wouldn't say I was particularly confident as a youngster but always have time for people which I think is a key thing for making and keeping friends.

It really is fantastic being a twin and I feel very fortunate

Severn, no but we did go on Blockbusters!!!

Best bit of advice - just don't get hung up on it and enjoy it. It's very much the PC thing to say to treat them as individuals - of course you should as a patent- but the twin thing really is special (as a twin myself and having twins). They really will have a special bond, just from sharing experiences / growing up together etc that even close siblings won't understand. Sometimes they'll want to be together, sometimes they'll need space.

I also think wait and see how their personalities develop - even ID twins will be very different. Same or different classes will be something to consider later on, just be clear with other parents when playdates/ parties start that both don't have to be invited. Always send a present and card from each twin (doesn't have to be expensive) but it lets others know they don't have to come as a pair.

My twin and I have always lived miles from each other (often different countries) so have separate groups of friends but they all know both of us just from parties / events.

Not always obviously grew up together then went to different unis and never lived close by one another after that!

Thank you so much for replying! All very reassuring! And so sorry to hear about the bullying, aren't some kids unkind!

It's fine... I like to think it made me stronger!!