Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Gilmore.
Hi Lauren, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I learned very quickly that Twin motherhood is a very unique experience for more reasons than people realize. I also did not travel down the beaten path as many twin moms do, which made me look even more like a freak in society’s eyes. I had my twins fully unmedicated in the privacy and peace of my home.
After coming off the emotional high of an incredible birth experience, settling into Twin motherhood proved very difficult some days. I learned very quickly that going in public with my twins and two older children was like a freak show spectacle. Where I was once was a fly on the wall in public with my two children I was now an anomaly. Some women understood-they helped me carry the load by holding a door, sharing an encouragement, or a simply a smile rather than an interrogation. Some days at home were overwhelming- it wasn’t just two babies I was raising, it was the constant pressure of need that would at times feel like a repetitive, endless cycle with no reprieve. Yet, as I would glance over at the bed in the morning, clutching my coffee and weary from the little sleep, seeing two beautiful babies snuggled together, eternal best friends, was such an immense joy that few words could truly describe it. The gift of life in the form of two- I had two miracles in my arms. The treasure of twins carried so much gratitude and so much hardship.
I started filming some of my thoughts in the hopes to meet other moms like me. As I uploaded to Instagram I realized something was missing in the twin motherhood space: we didn’t need another aesthic account. We didn’t need another mom showcasing the highlights, I wanted to feel seen and validated as a twin mom. So I started posting content that reflected that. What would make another twin mom feel seen? I laughed at the hard things, I pointed out the ugly truths, but I always made sure to keep my voice genuine. I was speaking from true experiences, real feelings, and authentic thoughts. As my content took off, I realized my page was more than about creating volume and getting seen: I was meeting women I would have never found face to face. I was getting to encourage, laugh with, cry with, and struggle with women who were just like me. Social media can be a catalyst for great things, and as I meet more twin moms everyday I remember how greatful I am to have such a beautiful community of women surrounding me through the good, the bad and the messy.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s hard to put yourself into the public eye. People assume only large influencers with hundreds of thousands of followers can face judgement or criticism, but I found even in my early days with only 2,000 followers I would get comments or messages from people who sought to tear me down or criticize. Many of them just don’t understand the demands of twin motherhood- they saw my voice and humor as complaining and being ungreatful (yet if any of them walked in my shoes for a week, their opinion would probably be very different). I had to learn to ignore the judgement- the amount of women reaching out daily telling me how encouraged they were by my account greatly overshadowed the few that made it hard.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a twin motherhood content creator on social media. I create posts that incorporate humor, relatability, and showcase the joy and struggle of twin motherhood. I’m known for my twin hot takes, like “stupid things people say to twin moms”. I’m proud that my page has become a landing spot for twin moms to not only laugh with me but to feel validated in the hard parts of motherhood. Even though my content is mostly humorous, there’s nothing more validating than realizing your own isolated struggle is actually a universal Twin motherhood experience.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My husband is my biggest cheerleader. Even though there’s an occasional eye roll, I always love watching his reaction to seeing my post because his laugh is the one that feels the realest. I would have never been able to accomplish my twin homebirth if it wasn’t for his love and leadership.
Behind the scenes of my life are the incredible women equipping and helping me to through the hard motherhood days. It’s easy to laugh at a reel and scroll- but then you still have your real life to attend to. Whether it’s through showing up with a hot meal, snuggling two babies, buying me a cup of coffee or sending me a sweet text, all of the women in my life have been part of the backbone of my journey and have encouraged me to chase this dream.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2plus2motherhood
