To hit the next person who tells me I have double trouble

[Handsfull13]

I have twins - I prefer to say two babies. They are lovely and I'm so proud of myself for coping with them.
But why oh why does everything have to be a negative.
I'm sick of hearing 'you've got your hands full' and 'oh look double trouble'
You would never go up to someone with one child and tell them they have trouble. The same as you wouldn't say 'double trouble' to someone with two child of different ages so why is it perfectly acceptable to tell me I have 'double trouble'.
How can I respond to these comments without killing someone?

In the nicest possible way you're being precious. I had two DD's ...not twins and both looked a bit mischevious...WERE mischeveious and from about 18 months people would indeed say "Oho! She looks like trouble!" and "Oh you've got a right one there!" and so forth.

Just smile and say "Yes, yes...twice as nice!" or something. Take no notice.

I still HAVE two DD"s actually and both are bothersome as they always were.

Twins are still a novel thing in our world. And people usually react to novelty (where children are concerned) with some kind of couthy comment.

Folk are just being nice. Let it go.

I also have twins.

I've only ever seen on Mumsnet people getting so aerated at small talk.

YABU OP, just chill out. It's not important. It's important if teachers treat them like one unit; it's important if relatives constantly get one gift 'to share' on their birthday. Otherwise, let it go. Seriously. Your stress levels will thank you!

I hope I've never used the phrase "double trouble", but I confess that when I look at a Mum of twins, one of my first thoughts is "How on earth does she cope?" No reflection at all on the loveliness of the babies, but on the sheer amount of work (and sleeplessness) that goes with having two tiny people. To be serious for a second, I saw one of my friends on the verge of a psychological and marital breakdown over the first 6 months of twins - it was her first, and SUCH hard work for her. So I have to say that anyone who can get two tinies dressed and out of the house in one piece is a superwoman to me.

We have twins. My husband has been known to say "one's for spare parts". He has also thrown a fake hissy fit about the fact that there "should be three.... where's the other one gone"

I tend to enjoy replying with "I'm glad you can see two of them too..."

You'll get used to it and eventually these annoying comments will just become boring to you.

Have fun!

People are making conversation. If their intention is just to have a little chat with you and be nice, I would accept it in that vein.

Ah, c'mon, it's just an expression. Why take offence? I doubt anyone means it in a negative way.

YABU. I have a small DS and people often say 'he looks like trouble' or 'bet he keeps you busy' blah blah. It's just a conversation opener people who want to have a chat because they're lonely/like kids/think he's cute.

I think it's just some people's way of acknowledging how tough it must be in a lighthearted way. You should try not to take offence. Mostly people just want to be kind.

Honestly OP, if that is giving you rage, they've actually got a point. Single children are hard work, Twins are hard work, you need to learn to chill.

I don't understand why it's so offensive?

Could be worse - my DS (then aged 9) asked my friend which of her twin boys was the "evil twin" (when they were a month old. When they were 13 she told him which one was although she looked horrified at the time!

People are just trying to be nice. They want to say something funny and to acknowledge two new babies. Ok you've heard it before but can't you just smile along with it?

I never really know what to say to people about their children so I end up resorting to cliches like this. Seriously, what are people meant to say when you tell them you have twins?

I found double trouble annoying too. I used to just respond "twice as nice" with a smile.

I'm sad to say but as a grown up identical twin it doesn't stop once they grow up, even now me and my Sister get comments when out and about from random strangers. The best way to deal with it is through humour as stated above. Although I may have to steal the line about seeing two of us and see what peoples reactions are to that.

YABU, usually it is said in a nice way, not actually meaning trouble but just something to say. Having kids is hard, having twins must be at least double as hard. I have 2 boys who look similar ages and people have said the same to me ie you have your hands full etc.

You are also NBU, sometimes people must drive you insane with the twin small talk, I know it took my friend hours to walk anywhere as people are so fascinated.

Today someone was making small talk at the check out in the supermarket as there was a small child screaming, I happen to know the parent and the child has autism but the old(er) ladies were making small talk about how they gave their kids a smack when they were little and they never behaved like that when they were out, I lost it and said oh why have we never thought of smacking the autism out of kids. They both glared at me. Not my proudest moment but things all get to us at times. Just ignore (like I should have done) it's just something people automatically say when they don't think first . . .

People are just making conversation, not trying to offend you.

Yes it gets tedious but people seem to like twins.

To follow on from MiaowTheCats post; women who have babies really close together can sometimes be accused of having "Irish Twins".

I'll let you have a few guesses as to my heritage but THATS annoying

OP I agree it's very dull! "Did you get two for the price of one", "double trouble half the fun" - the list goes on....they annoy quite a few twin mums - you need to learn to keep your head down when you walk - avoid eye contact they no longer comment and you will no longer feel the rage.

I have twins and I say that myself sometimes...chill out! (And just wait till they're toddlers )

I have twins. They are now 9. They are bloody double trouble, both of them. They hate each other. I am more annoyed with all those people who told me "oh twins, how wonderful, they'll be great at sharing and always be best friends". No, on both counts, they're not.

I do love them a bit though...

I get you op yanbu it's fricking annoying that people think because you have multiples they can ask if they are natural and say comments like oh I feel sorry for you two for the price of One - I have three children and I don't get asked about the other one if we had sex to conceive etc i think people suddenly assume it's their business and are nosey beyond words! So no YANBU x