Co-moms

By Leslie

Every time I think about my twin sister, Kate, I am reminded of that line from the movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off": "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up...."

When it comes to raising a child, I think everyone should have a twin!

My sister and I have always been close. We now live a half-mile away from each other and even work at the same company. We share a close group of friends, the same interests and a busy social calendar. I am pretty sure my husband feels like he has two wives most of the time!

When I was pregnant with our first child, James, I worried about how a baby would change our relationship. Would I still have time to shop for bargains at Marshalls with her? Would our phone conversations be filled exclusively with talk of dirty diapers and toddler-friendly snacks?   

Thankfully, I was worried for nothing. Having James has made our relationship even stronger! Kate is basically James' second Mom. From the day he was born she has always been ready to change a diaper, give a bath or babysit day or night. I am ashamed to admit it, but when James was only a week old, she even watched him overnight so that my husband and I could get some much-needed rest (bless the person who invited the breast pump!).

She doesn’t have her own kids yet, but her rec room is filled with more toys than we even own! Kate and I share the same views on how to raise kids and I trust my sister with my son completely. I know that she will always take just as good care of him as I do (possibly better since she was a child study major in college). I also know that if something were to ever happen to my husband and me, James would be in capable hands.

The only downside to having another co-mom is that James really does love her like a mother. The green-eyed monster rears its ugly head when he sometimes seems to favor her more than me. When he was around 1, we would ask him to point out people in the room. If you asked him where Momma was, he would occasionally point to Kate! Ouch! But how could you not like knowing that your child has someone else in his life who loves him just as much as his parents do?

Now that we have a second child on the way, I am hoping Kate will help ease the transition for James. I know she will be there to give him extra love and attention and maybe that will help him through the adjustment. Let's just hope she loves this second baby as much!

Do any of you have special relationships like this?

Leslie lives in northern Virginia with her husband and 2-year-old son.

Comments

[Tina]

You are one lucky mother - and I mean that in the traditional sense! Of course my son has people in his life who love him madly, but what you describe in your post is so beyond that. What a rare thing, what a security net, what a blessing for you and your babies. And even more precious that you recognize it. If you get too jealous of your twin, please send her to my house!!

[cityslickermom]

You are so fortunate to have a co-mom like that. I, too have a twin, but she lives on the other side of the US. I love it when she comes to visit, she helps out alot, like your sis. lucky you!!