The twins turned 14 last week.
No longer are they treading on egg shells about the reality of being teenagers, instead they are now fully involved, utterly absorbed in being hormonal and akin to living with a dormant volcano that has a thunder within it.
The sterotypes are right…
Every single one…
From disappearing crockery, to unexplained emotional outbursts, to the fact that suddenly there is not a single thing in the world that they don’t already know….
Except how to load the washing machine and put the dishes away.
And like when they were twin toddlers and used to pass the crying baton, they know how to continue that trend with irrational fits of anger and moodiness.
As soon as I get one twin to start behaving like a normal human being, the other suddenly descends into a rage fuelled by acne and an eternal hunger that causes them to fly into a mood by just a misplaced look.
Toddler twin parents – I am writing this as a warning for you – enjoy what you have – the future is fierce.
Every morning as I awaken and peer into my slumbering children’s rooms, I brace myself as if I am about to go over the top and have no idea what enemy is lying in wait.
On occasion – they wake up like angels, almost forgetting that being cheery is totally uncool for a teen. Then they remember, and stop speaking in full sentences and descend back into grunts and gestures.
And the moment is lost as Kerry and Perry resume their place in the home.
But oh, when they are sweet.
That moment when they cuddle into you on the sofa, or launch at you for a hug.
Or sit down and talk, really talk to you about life and their day.
Christ, it is heavenly…
Its like the sun shining on your face on a winters day, warming your soul.
It is precious, like when you held them in your arms as babies – you can’t believe you created such a thing.
And still, you realise, that they can melt your heart and rule your world,
No matter how tough the teenage years may be…..
I’m always nervous to say this as parents of babies and toddlers don’t want to hear that it isn’t a walk in the park when they grow up. But it sure as hell isn’t!