I spent 18 years to make sure that my identical twins have their own identities
When Charlie and Thomas were born, they were jokingly called “a copy” and “paste” in the hospital – the first official joke of Abi. But behind this joke was a real concern about how Society will see them As identical twins.
As fathers, we began to make sure that our children would see who was and not collecting together just because they started as it is.
Color coding has become our first identity strategy
While many parents Twins Wear it both for the gravitational factor, we went intentionally in the opposite direction. From childhood, Charlie was always wearing green while Thomas was wearing blue. This is simple Color coding system Help friends and family identify the twins they interact with.
More importantly, we wanted the children to understand that they were Individuals Which happened to share the DNA. However, our color strategy had an unexpected downside. If we ever wear them outside their custom colors, this chaos followed, and even the people who know them will become confused.
I even tried to wear Charlie in Brown for a while (Charlie Brown), but that experience was short -term when he told me he did not like the color.
We have built identity confirmation habits in daily life
Our commitment to uniquely extends beyond clothes. We have confirmed that every boy has his own bedroom from 1, creating personal spaces where they can develop separate interests.
Christmas celebrations were another opportunity to enhance separation. We have always sang “Happy Birthday” twice – once for every boy – and made sure that every boy joined his brother. Common gifts were completely banned, even when they were more convenient.
Separate classrooms helped them develop different friends groups
When the first year approached the school, we faced the first major decision on their separation.
School officials asked if we wanted them in the same class, indicating that it may help them to settle more easily. Despite the initial frequency, we asked for separate classes, hoping that this will help them develop individual friendships and learning experiences.
While this helped their teachers, on the field, their classmates in the class were unable to keep them straight. They became collectively known as “Charlelandomas” – one word, one entity. Both learned to respond to any of the names.
Outside the school, their interests are initially compatible, especially in sports, and they made most of the activities together. She felt an overwhelming happiness when Thomas showed interest in music and began taking the guitar lessons at the age of eight. Charlie had a musical tendency, which gave Thomas something unique to him.
Their appearance has become a source of harm
Despite our efforts to distinguish them, the twins quickly discovered the strength of their identical appearance. They implemented the first main key in the third row, trading for a full day. No one teacher noticed.
Their joke was discovered only when Charlie, enthusiastic about his accomplishment, proved a friend, told a teacher. Instead of anger at their secret trick, their creativity in secret.
High school brought natural distinction
Teenage years finally brought the natural difference that we were hoping. Thomas was attracted to mathematics and science courses, while Charlie preferred human themes. During Covid’s clients, I slept for a long time and encouraged Thomas to join me. For 18 months, we were wearing long locks while Charlie, who hated the idea, kept his shortening. If we look back in the pictures, I think it has taken the wise option. This created the most visual period in their lives – people rarely link them during this time.
Their social departments also began to develop naturally. Thomas took basketball, while Charlie joined the gym and developed various fitness interests. This also expanded their worlds until after their twin bonds when they started dating.
During the last year of high school, they were unable to resist a final identity exchange. They replaced places for the annual book picturesWith Charlie initially planning to make his brother “look stupid forever” by pulling faces. He made the photographer to repeat the shot, but their replacement was still successful – his final annual book shows that their photos were reflected, a joke of immortal printing.
Efforts to enhance individuality pay off
Interestingly, they have never appeared annoyed by confusing them to each other. They were answering the wrong name without correcting people, and sometimes they exchanged fun looks they only understood.
As they are The college started this year in different schools -Their choice-I reflected on our 18-year journey. Both color coding, separate bedrooms, individual birthday celebrations are designed and encouraged different interests to give each boy space to discover who was an individual.
The copy poster has become completely different documents after all-the task has been accomplished.