Twin parenting insights from twin mom blogger Twin Latte
We are excited that Courtney El-Ghoul behind the lifestyle blog Twin Latte has agreed to share some of her twin insights with us. In this interview, you will learn more about Courtney’s blog, what amazes her about the twin bond and how she rocks a Twinning Store t-shirt. Enjoy!
1. Who are you and what do you do?
Before becoming a mother of twins, I was an Executive Sales Manager for a Fortune 500 Company. I was truly a workaholic. Selling houses was my number one focus. After having the girls everything changed so rapidly. I did a complete 180.
I decided that staying at home with them was my new number one. I feel really fortunate that this was an option for our family. Now I am a stay at home mom blogging about my journey.
2. How did you get started?
After graduating from college, like most of us, I was confused about what I wanted to do. Living in the DC area the housing market just really caught my attention.
I love home design and am such a people person at heart. I got in with a company I loved, and never looked back, that is until the twins came along ;)
Fast forward to the present day, now that the girls are in preschool I can now focus on my other passion which is my blog twinlatte.com. I hope to share my story and experiences with other women, and help support them with balancing motherhood and personal identity.
3. What fascinates you the most about twins (especially your own)?
Hands down, it is the special twin bond they have. It is so crazy!
A great example: when they first started preschool... we put them in separate classrooms. But, their teachers would tell me that one of them would ask to go to the bathroom, the other would like... "realize" it and then ask to go as well.
Same if one of them was crying, the other would sense it and ask to check on them. It’s a connection even if they aren’t physically in the same room.
I'll never understand it, and I'll never stop being fascinated with it.
4. What was the biggest fear you had going into twin motherhood?
Honestly, the pregnancy itself was terrifying to think about. Like, how are TWO humans going to fit in my body!?
And then of course, as a first-time mother - I was just like how the heck are we going to handle two babies!
I was always worried, which hasn’t gone away - even now. I was very fortunate that I didn't have any real complications during the pregnancy or births - but man, the fear leading up to it was intense.
5. What has surprised you the most about your twins?
Oh my gosh, it has to be how different they are!
I mean the bond is special, but boy are they completely different people. I sometimes wonder how they are even sisters let alone twins.
They are fraternal so both in looks and personality they differ. Ava is so wild, never stops moving, loud, and full of energy. Nahla is super chill and beyond laid back, just a go-with-the-flow kinda girl. I mean, really, it’s like night and day.
6. What is the number one myth about having twins you would like to debunk?
That they will be the same, and that it’s easier because you are "knocking out" two at once.
The first one, simply because it couldn’t be more opposite. People assume they are so much alike, but they are two totally different people.
The second, Let’s be real... I don’t think it’s easy for any of us! But still, so many of my friends are like "Oh, it’s so perfect cause you just get to get it over with!" It’s never perfect and throws totally different challenges your way. Like, when your one baby starts to walk... you can follow them. But, when two babies start to walk, it's not always in the same direction! haha
7. Is there any advice about having twins you wish you had been given?
The feeding schedule is so intense in the beginning!
I remember just being a complete zombie. If you can enlist some family help, or get a night nanny - I would highly recommend it.
To have help with the night time feedings is a total game-changer. It might feel like you will be too tired to have extra people around, or you might think "just for the first week."
But, I promise, you are going to be exhausted no matter what - so take as much help as you can get.
8. We are dying to know. You being such a fashionista - how do you style a Twinning Store Twin Mom t-shirt?
I would totally rock it with a pair of cut off jean shorts or my favorite ripped jeans - toss on a good moto bootie or my Yeezy's and I'd be ready to conquer my crazy twin mom day.
These days I have to mix comfort into my fashion choices so I can keep up with my wild and wonderful girls. Oh, and of course, some oversized sunnies to hide how tired I often look :)
Thank you, Courtney! You are a true super mama! We love what you find ways to contribute to fellow parents and twins all over the world. Kudos to you! Make sure to check out Courtney’s Instagram, and blog.
We love getting to know twin parents and their journey, and this is our latest interview in our twin parent series (check out the others, including with the NYC real estate broker and twin dad Mike Davis here and twin dad Thomas Jezequel here).
Twinning Store was established by twin sisters K & E in Los Angeles in July 2017. We have been featured in publications such as Time Magazine, Romper, and MTV. We sell clothing for twins and twin parents because twins rule!
