Guys: Big news! I recently published my first children’s book titled I’m Aloneabout a set of 7-year-old fraternal twins named Stella and Paige – and Stella’s desire to be seen as her own person. (You can see me talking about the book here.)
Stella and Paige are very different, yet they are constantly compared and contrasted by almost everyone around them. This affects Stella deeply; she begins to feel frustrated and insecure – like she’s no match for her sister, Paige. Yes, they are twins, but they are twins not the same person.
Stella wishes people would see her for who she is, not just “Stella and Paige,” or “one of the twins.” I’m Alone follows Stella on her journey as she begins to realize her incredible potential, and despite what others may say, learns to accept and appreciate herself as the unique person she is.
As parents (of multiples, but maybe of singletons, too!), I’m sure many of you will appreciate the message in this book – and I’m sure you’ll understand why I was inspired to write it:
From the time my 6-year-old twins were born, people often referred to them as “twins” rather than by their names – as if they were incomplete without one another. Soon, being “twins,” as opposed to Mila and Grace, was everything. This, combined with people constantly comparing themselves to others (both physically and mentally), led them to feel overwhelmed, invisible, confused about their identity, and inferior.
I’m Alone it started as a book about twins – actually, it was originally titled, The Twins Who Were Different – but in an article I wrote last year for List of Lucie about the importance of treating siblings like siblings, I saw that the message of the book (accepting differences; respecting our strengths; loving and being proud of who we are) was applied to it. everything children, not just repetition.
While researching that article, I learned that, although they often look alike and share similar cognitive abilities, siblings are actually more different than any two strangers on earth. Huh?! That impressed me and inspired me even more to write this book. I also learned that when we treat our children as individuals, we show them how much we value and respect them for who they are. In turn, this helps to boost their self-esteem and sense of identity.
I mean, wow, right?! What an incredible thing opportunity again responsibility that we have as caregivers – to help nurture and shape our children’s sense of worth and self-esteem!
I’m Alone it is a reminder to all of us that treating each child as the unique person they are, and appreciating their pursuits and individuality, is long a way to help them feel respected, loved and protected. And, although this book is intended for everyone, I have written it with twin thoughts – whether related or similar – that are, naturally, bound together and viewed as a single unit, as mine often is.
I hope you will read this book with your children and let me know if and how it fits. I would also like you to share with me some of the ways your repetitions are similar and different. Also, with your permission, I would like to share your experience in the next article about the topic. Feel free to email me at [email protected].
Thank you so much, everyone! Thanks to you and your multipliers.
no,
Marissa
