Life with triplets
Louise and Darren McGuinness, from number 27, became the proud parents of triplets, two girls and one boy, thee years ago. There names are Cameron, Hannah and Charlotte. They were the first triplets in the region for 30 years. Here they are with Mum in a super recent photograph.
Hannah, Charlotte and Cameron recently celebrated their third birthdays with a bouncy castle party at the Old Fire Station in Rawtenstal. Much fun was had by those small enough to join in. Have a look at some evidence
Louise says that ‘How do you cope?’ is one of the most common questions she is asked. Her answer is one word: ROUTINE! She says that everything is set around the clock.
“At the beginning it was literally all hands on deck. There was a 4-hourly routine, sort of. We remember it as being a blur as you have no concept of breakfast-, lunch- or dinner-time. Your world revolved around the little people who were solely dependent upon you. Once solid food started things became a lot easier and timings were established. The children benefited from it in their sleep pattern. They have even been known to tell me when I’m running late!"
“Darren and I are a great team. Because we have been together over a decade we know each other’s habits. We couldn’t have coped with all this if we didn’t have each other. In addition, we are very fortunate that we both have strong families. Both families, mine in Scotland and Darren’s locally, were heavily involved from the start. There was no ‘fighting’ over one baby as we had three to go around. Everyone could get involved.”
Louise also has a lot to say about the folk on Lower Cribden Avenue:
“Our neighbours are the greatest people we’ve ever met, selfless and truly good-hearted. They came and helped out every week for ages until I started coping better during the day. Both Sure Start (Bacup) and Home Start (Bury) were a great help, each organisation gave us a volunteer, who gave up a couple of hours each week to assist with the children. The volunteers, Brenda and Margaret, still come each week, come Hell or high water. We are truly grateful for their advice and the benefit of their experience over the last two years. Then there was my dear friend Sue who gave her time daily in order that Darren could return to work. Sue and I have become really good friends and I do not know how I could have coped without her.”
Louise enjoyed getting out more after the first 12 months which she described as the hardest when the McGuiness’ did not get out much as a family, although they did manage a two-week trip to Ireland for their holidays when the triplets were 7-months old. Louise started up Multiple Madness with a friend in August 2006 year. This toddler group is designed specifically for families with multiple children under the age of 5. It allows parents/carers to interact with other families in the same situation. She has made a number of really good friends who know what it is like to cope with twins or more and she tries to get a different themed activity in each session, e.g. Police, Fire Brigade, Body Shop, Virgin Vie, etc.
The Group runs every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. There is a website (www.freewebs.com/multiplemadness) to keep families up to date with what’s happening at the group.
Louise continues to face the biggest challenge in her life of a very serious health problem and has coped brilliantly with her extensive programme of radical treatment. We are all delighted with how well Louise is doing and that she is able to enjoy this wonderful trio. We are still there for you Louise and willing to do anything we can to help.
JMD
Updated January 2008