Rachael Leonard says looking after twins is “like running a marathon that never ends”.
With three sons – four-and-a-half-year-old Henry and two-and-a-half-year-old twins, Jack and Hugo – Rachael knows the highs and lows of parenting.
“It’s loud, busy and very unpredictable,” she says.
“They’re the first words that come to mind.”
When Rachael fell pregnant with twins, her family was incredibly excited.
They had always wanted more than two children, but all the logistical aspects of it was very daunting.
So, following a recommendation from her obstetrician, Rachael joined the Newcastle Multiple Birth Club and has not looked back.
The club, which recently celebrated its 50th birthday, is the longest running multiple birth club in Australia.
It provides people with a place to come together, share advice, and gain support.
“Everyone [in the club] knows what it’s like – it’s all very family orientated and inclusive,” Rachael says.
“I’ve been lucky in that I have made lifelong friends.”
She believes a great aspect of the club is talking to people with older multiples because you can see they have come out the other side.
“People are so honest; we are going through the exact same thing, we’ve all struggled to get out of the house, and we’re all worried about what we are going to do if our two babies start screaming when we are out,” she says.
“So, just knowing that there are other people there that are in it with you makes it really reassuring.”
Rachael has become a volunteer since joining the club, taking up the role of co-coordinator of social and fundraising.
“It’s been really good for my mental health to get engaged in work and the business side of things,” she adds.
This year, the club will host the 2019 Australian Multiple Birth Association National Convention at Noah’s On The Beach, Newcastle.
The convention, which takes place from 25 to 27 October, focuses on how to govern and sustain support services for families with twins, triplets, and more.
Visit convention.amba.org.au for more information.
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