Celebrating the Individual
New Zealand Multiple Birth Awareness Week 3 - 10 November 2013
By Tracey Warren
28 October 2013
The moment you find out you are having multiples can be scary, shocking and mostly exciting. Whether planned or
unplanned there is something magical about twins and triplets. Most people find out they are having multiples and a
million thoughts run through their heads: Will they need a bigger car? How do they manage to feed two or three babies at
the same time? Where will they fit them in the house? It is only when their beautiful babies arrive that reality sets in
and the hard work (and it is hard work) that is being a parent of multiples begins. And as any parent of multiples
quickly learns, even though they were born on the same day, they are two (three or four) very unique individuals.
New Zealand Multiple Birth Awareness week commences the 3rd of November and this year the New Zealand Multiple Birth
Association (NZMBA) and Multiple Birth Clubs nationwide will be focusing on 'Celebrating the Individual'.
“This year's theme of 'Celebrating the Individual' is a way of acknowledging that even though our children may look
exactly alike, or were born on the same day, they have their own likes and dislikes, personality traits and funny quirks
which makes them who they are and defines them as separate individuals” said NZMBA President, Carolyn Lister.
The NZMBA is the national body that represents 21 local Multiple Birth Clubs, consisting of over 1500 families
throughout New Zealand. The Association aims to provide education, support and advocacy to families of multiples, by
providing guidance and resources to their local multiple birth clubs and via the NZMBA website.
Events celebrating New Zealand Multiple Birth Awareness week will be run throughout the country from Sunday the 3rd of
November through to Sunday the 10th of November. For more information about events in your area, please visit www.multiples.org.nz
ENDS