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The Pam Gannis Story
Two Cakes and a Wealth of First-hand Experience By Charlene Torkelson
It may be easier for the parents when it comes to having the same homework assignments and same teacher to communicate with, but Gannis has made a different choice for her sons. "I don't want the boys to be compared to each other," she says. "If one has their name on the board for excellence in a subject, it would make the other feel uncomfortable." She explains that each has their own strengths. For example, one is considered to be the best writer in his class while the other one just gets by in writing. One has the patience for sitting down and working on drawing projects while the other hurries through.
Gannis feels they each need their own identity, which includes their own friends. Although many of their friendships overlap, they each have a few that are just their own. The only difficulty Gannis has encountered with this aspect has been with birthday parties. Sometimes only one twin is invited to a party. She finds that a bit awkward and doesn't understand why other parents wouldn't consider the hurt that might cause with twins. She emphasizes that when they go to a birthday party, each brings their own gift. "They are two boyseach with their own gift," she explains.
As far as their own birthday, the twins each receive their own cake, and their gifts are based on their own likes and requests. Sometimes they have had something that they both want Barney when they were toddlers and GameBoys when they were older but usually they are given something different. And when it comes to hand-me-downs from older brother Scott, Gannis is careful to use that item such as a jacket as an "extra," with each boy getting their own new item.