FOR some mothers, awaiting the arrival of twins could be daunting.
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For Janet Hibbs, while it’s not exactly a walk in the park, she’s well and truly prepared for her double delivery in October.
The Cessnock woman is already a mother to seven-year-old triplet girls – two identical, one fraternal.
Multiple Birth Awareness Week, from March 11 to 18, highlights the struggles and delights facing families with twins, triplets and more.
Few could give more insight into the highs and lows than Ms Hibbs.
Her experience with triplets Jasmine, Maya, and Tamara was notably different from that with her first child, 19-year-old Curtis.
From the large costs involved, to finding a pram – think of all the requirements for raising a child – then triple it.
“It’s so hard to buy a decent triplets pram, and you can’t buy just one of something like car seats,” Ms Hibbs said.
Throw the idea of hand-me-downs out the window too; they are all the same size.
A birthday shopping trip can result in three of everything in the same colour.
While they may have identical presents and toys, that’s where the replicas end.
The girls all have their own unique personalities.
“They’re completely different,” their mother said.
“Mara’s really shy; Maya’s outgoing and talkative, she’s very friendly with everyone; and Jasmine, she’s reserved but she likes to take charge of the other two.”
The lighter workload of caring for twins after raising triplets will be easier yet with Ms Hibbs previous experience.
“I know what I’m in for, and I’ve got a lot more support this time around than I did last time,” she said.
If she could give one piece of advice to those expecting multiples it would be to not worry about the state of their home.
“If your house is messy, don’t worry about it,” she said.
“Just worry about what your babies are doing.
“Don’t worry about what anyone else says about what your house looks like because one day you’ll be able to get on top of it eventually.”
This year’s Multiple Birth Awareness Week theme is Strength in Numbers, and Ms Hibbs has often seen her daughters demonstrate this.
“They stick together, they’ll protect each other a lot,” she said.
“They might pick on each other, but they won’t let anyone else.”
If you thought 2018 couldn’t get more exciting for Ms Hibbs, guess again.
She is planning for her wedding day in May, which just so happens to be the day before Mother’s Day.
It sounds like perfect timing for this super mum.