Disney Quest 2010: Reactions
Whenever we take the boys out, especially if it requires “The Beast” Quad Stroller (which we use pretty much limit to long walks or big excursions now) it becomes a spectator event. Most people have never encountered quadruplets in person. People take their pictures and pelt you with questions from every angle. Most of the time in the following order:
1. Are they … (long pause)? We usually fill in the blank with “QUADRUPLETS” for them, because no one can seem to come up with it in the moment.
2. How old are they?
3. Are they all identical?
These 3 questions are often followed by another round of infertility questions that are both inappropriate and awkward to be asked in a crowd of strangers. Sometimes people make very hurtful and crass remarks. However, many times people are gracious and encouraging. (Which is a breath of fresh air!)
Regardless of the reactions, we know that this comes with the territory of parenting multiples. Most of the time we are take the attention in stride, smile for random pictures, answer questions, and roll with it.
Overall, our reception with Disney goers was very pleasant. In fact, I wish that the happiest place on earth would rub off on the rest of the nation! =)
A few times we had to end some long-winded conversations because we had to be mindful that our kids were experiencing Walt Disney world for the first times in their lives and they are THREE for goodness sakes. They aren’t always amused by stopping for 20 minutes to discuss a stranger’s aunt’s neighbor’s sister who had twins 13 years ago while watching the Dumbo ride take off when they remain trapped in the stroller.
Some “unique” initial reactions have stuck in our memory and made us chuckle several times since returning home. Here’s just a taste:
“WHAT. ARE. THEY???????????????” (Was one of my personal all-time favorites. I was so tempted to tell the sweet old lady that they were 3 year old aliens, but I resisted the urge as Brad answered with a smile, “Children”.)
“Awwww. Oh My Goodness. They are like a bunch of little Dalmatians.” (Dalmatians? Thanks. I think.)
“One. Two. Three. Four. Four? Four? Inter-resting.” (And so are you, Dude.)
“How You Do That? They all came out of you? All Them? How’d That Happen? How You Do That?” (Um, did you they not cover that in your middle school health class curriculum?)
Perhaps you had to be there or be in our shoes to find the humor in these, but I wanted to write it down to remember it someday. After all, that’s what blogging is all about, isn’t it?
Oh my goodness.. I guess in some ways it's funny and then some ways not.
Bless your heart for taking it all in stride.
It was nice meeting you and your family in line while we waited for the bus going to Hollywood Studios Friday night.
Blessings
Mikki
I admit that I'd be all wow-y when seeing your boys together, but it would be a GOOD wow-y not an OMG freak show wow-y. I can't believe that even crosses people's minds!
Oh, I have a question, do you mind the word being shortened to Quads? I remember interviewing a lady with quadruplets and she made me promise not to shorten it, then the headline writers shortened it, of course, to make it fit on the page. She was annoyed, not at me, but because she said she hated it. Do you mind/care?
Wow..some people never cease to amaze me. Some of the questions are just rude!
You would probably think I was crazy, b/c if I saw yall, I would run up and know them by name! ha
I got the biggest giggle out of that picture and actually had to show it to my co-worker. Bless your hearts…you're so gracious and kind to everyone…even amidst those weird uncomfortable moments.
~ Lacie
oh, wow. Yeah, being in public with multiples is an adventure. I have a singleton followed 12 months later by twins (currently 2.5 and 1.5, respectively), and we get crazy freak show stares and comments all the time. I cannot imagine how much more you must experience with those 4 beautiful boys, especially when pushing the beast. 😉 Keep laughing about it! I think it's the only way to not be driven crazy by it, don't you?
It is sad that some people can be so rude. Hopefully, it didn't have too much of a negative impact on your vacation.
Gail
Annapolis, MD
First of all, I would never dream of taking a picture like that. It seems kinda freaky. Unfortunately, I did not get to meet you at DisneySMMoms, but my daughter saw you & the boys several times. She really wanted to meet the boys. She is a pre-school teacher and just loves kids. She was in awe of how well behaved they are.
What are they? Really?????
My neighbor (with triplets) and I went walking when our kiddos were smaller. People were so curious and rude. I really don't get why complete strangers would want to take pictures of your kiddos (I would, but I would want you in it, because I "know you.").
People never think how hurtful their words can be. Even I often get "wow, your hands are full" and I respond "no, my heart is full!" I don't even know what they mean.
I told another friend with triplets that I would make a sign for her to add to the stroller to answer all of their questions: "Yes, they are all mine.
Yes, they are quadruplets.
Yes, two of them are identical.
Yes, they were all born on the same day.
No, do not feel bad for me.
And, yes better me than you!"
Your children are such beautiful blessings from God, as is are children. I realy enjoyed meeting you at BlissDom. People ask parents (even those without multiples) some innappropriate things. I constantly get, "Are they twins" and when I saw they aren't. They say, "Wow, did you plan THAT?" or "Don't you know where they come from?"
(Mine are a year and a day apart btw)
Knowing the attention my twins get, I can't even imagine what it's like to have quadruplets!
The comment I get that always makes me laugh is "are they natural?" No, they're robots 🙂
I've been at Disney while pregnant a few times and people were kind and gave me a seat constantly. There was only one time I tried to sit on the floor during the preshow for the Muppets that a cast member made me stand. But I threatened to puke on his shoes. hehhe.
As an auntie to triplets, I can relate to the crazy stares & comments from strangers! Of course, I still did the same thing to you at DisneySMMoms…and I know you from your blog! 😉
Oh, with twins (and a brother who can pass for their triplet) I get a lot of random questions about fertility and rude comments. But I think for every rude comment, I get a sweet one, so it balances out. Just today in Wal-Mart a nice old lady told me how blessed I was to have triplets 🙂 I just smiled and said thank you, I didn't have the hear to tell her they weren't! The rude comments drive me crazy and it's all I have not to reach back and smack them! Your boys are so precious!
Aren't people funny? Now that my twins are older, people just think they're "close in age". HA! My fave when they were little? People would ask, "Are they identical?" Well, no – one is clearly a boy and the other is clearly a girl!!!!
Agree that it is weird for people to take photos like you all are some sort of attraction @ WDW!!!!
Alot of people think before they speak and don't realize how rude they are and if they are fertilty questions then they have obiviously never dealt with it. I am mom to a miracle child after a 4 yr struggle. You should just tell them they are all miracles.
Taking quads out in public is quite an experience! We have a runabout as well and they are definitely eye-catchers, but so convernient that I'm not willing to give it up just to blend in better.
I don't know what to make of the dalmation comment. I guess dalmations are cute and cuddly, so let's just say that it's a good thing.
I also have a 4yo son and the funny thing is he has started to answer the questions. Since we get the same ones all the time, he knows the answers. It makes me laugh and he is always polite about it (he's very proud of the babies), so I let him go.
Loved the Disney posts!!! We want to go next summer, so I'm trying to read about others experiences there.
We get enough questions with just twins…I can only imagine all the questions and stares with 4 boys! I think my all time favorite though for my Boy/Girl twins is "Are they Identical?"
seriously? some people just don't think…lol!
I have to admit that I took a second look when I first saw you and your family at the the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. I checked out the stroller, because I have never seen anything like it. What a genius idea!
Your kids are so adorable and well behaved. They made me smile every time I looked over. They kept my kids in giggles when they were looking through the window across from the Toy Story Mania ride at Hollywood Studios.
I am surprised that people were asking questions like that. It sounds like you have a great attitude about it. Keep the positive attitude and cherish every moment with your family.
Looks like you need patience for home and public.
God bless you all – every one!
I've been amazed by the comments I've received with my twins. It's amazing how people think they have the 'right' to ask about fertility just because you have multiples! Bless you for taking it in stride!
Sandra
I don't even have multiples and have been shocked at the questions I get. My two older children look very little alike for sisters and I have been asked on numerous occasions if they have the same father. I usually answer, "as far as he knows…." and wink. Then there was the time I was walking the neighbor's three kids to school along with my two and was pregnant with my third at the time…yeesh. Your boys are beautiful and your sense of humor is fabulous.
The negative comments are very annoying, but I try to balance all the negative with positive ones. We get all sorts of comments because not only do we have triplets, but they have two older brothers and a sister who is just 18 months younger. So you get stares from having multiples, close together, five boys and "only one girl", and "so many kids!!" I can never come up with quick, fun remarks to the negative comments because I'm shocked at what people ask – STILL! I have also had people pull me aside and say positive things, also, which is very encouraging.
hee, hee. you're so quick witted. 😉 Crazy the things people say.
Thanks for making me smile today!
"What are they?!" HAHAHAHA Hilarious!
HILARIOUS! I wish I would've written down all the comments people made when I was pregnant with the sextuplets. My absolute favorite was this old guy from our church who said, "You sure got yourself into a pickle."
Yes. Yes we did. 🙂
Bri
You are kidding! "What are they?!" I'm not sure how I would've responded to that one…
hilarious. i often wonder what people say to you!
Hilarious! I am sure I would have asked some of the same questions (although not the really stupid ones, like "what are they?") before I had my own multiples, though. You just can't even imagine what it must be like … I thought it was horrific when my coworker got pregnant with triplets! Now I'm in the same multiples group with her!! It will be interesting to see what kinds of questions we get once we are out and about more … our limited excursions have not been too bad so far. I just hope I can think on my feet, and give some good responses! 🙂
HAHAHAHAHA! Oh my sweet Jen you are SO much more gracious than I would be! Probably why God gave you the blessing of those 4 little adorable slices of heaven and not me. 😉 I get weird about people looking at my kids anyway…I'd probably use my tater on somebody. 🙂
I'm sure you've heard everything! We get crazy comments all the time about our 2 sets…people definitely ask some interesting things :)!
Wow, I'm not sure I could handle all of that! I can't believe people even take pictures! Crazy people!
Ahhh the silly things people say to parents of HOM! Definitely best to just laugh – and of course write them down so you can laugh again later. Silly people!
(BTW, I was on that Pull Ups call last night and just had to find your blog! Your boys are adorable and if you can survive with 4 boys, surely I can survive with my 3!)
That was laugh out loud funny, thanks Jen! I'm sure there is so much more to come and down the road the kids will even get in on the fun of joking around with curious strangers.
Your blog is so fun to read and refreshing when I have a bad day with my twins, thanks for the time you put into it!
What makes people think they can ask such personal questions to a complete stranger? I have to admit at times it is very frustrating and hurtful.
I have a good friend who has triplets and they often share the same tale. "Are they all the same age?" Um…
Their triplets are also adopted embryos, which is a whole other can of worms to open with complete strangers!
Really? I wouldn't have expected that. But, perhaps its 'cause I've started to think of quads as "the gang who watch my kids during Sunday School" since one of the mamas at our Church has 'em.
Funny what starts to just seem pretty normal over time! 😉 And teenage quads are the perfect tag team for rowdy toddlers, I tell you what!
Oh, and I meant to add we also have triplets at our church. See what I mean? Just becomes part of the crazy, ordinary that is life with kids 😉