I thought as we reach the first week of January 2025, we could look back on one of my favourite interviews of January 2025.

Motherhood, and parenthood, is the hardest but most worthwhile undertaking in a person’s life. To navigate both the good and difficult times can be a challenge, but a treasure. Sadly, so many mothers and parents often go it alone, the trials and tribulations to overcome, grinning through gritted teeth and getting through silently.

In a perfect world we would have extra hands, companionship of someone who knows exactly what you are going through, and someone to lean on.

I believe Michael and Tarryn Hyde, and Katie Deaton and Josh Wilson have that perfect world, or as close to it as anyone will get.

Katie and Tarryn both gave birth to twins; Tarryn and Michael’s Myra and Evelyn are 12 months old, and Katie and Josh’s twin daughter Florence and son Sterling are coming onto five months.

Katie and Tarryn had always had a friendship, speaking often.

“They wished twins on me,” Katie laughed.

“They had Myra and Evelyn and after that we went to a wedding and ran into each other.

“They told us we should have another baby, we should have twins, and I laughed, writing it off.”

“Around Christmas, Katie messaged me and said, ‘What’s better than one baby, two and an engagement ring,’ it was so wonderful,” Tarryn said.

When Katie gave birth to her twins, it was really useful to have Tarryn to ask for advice; how to pick up twins at one time, amongst other things.

Before you know it, Katie and the children were around at the Hydes all the time, and they formed their little village.

“I felt as though I has been out of the game for so long, as my two sons are older, it was so good to have Tarryn for support and advice,” Katie said.

“It is so easy for us to be twin mum friends, we both have two; we understand what it is like,” Tarryn said.

“We understand all the different issues like time management, and what to prioritise.” “It is the best thing in the world, we would not change a thing,” said Michael. These friends and little families enjoy the highs and lows of parenting twins in tandem.

Navigating returning to work for Tarryn and Katie was made so much easier; Katie is with the children while Tarryn works, and Tarryn returns the favour when Katie is working. Brock, Michael and Tarryn’s three-year old son, is head over heels with his little sisters.

Michael and Tarryn are justifiably proud of him and his wonderful nature, especially as the past 12 months or so have been a big adjustment for him. “Over the last 12 months Brock has gone from being the only grandchild to being one of four grandchildren,” Michael said smiling.

As any parent knows, going from only child to big brother can also be a big change in lifestyle for any young child.

Theodore and Lincoln, 5 and 7, Katie and Joshua’s older sons, are enamoured with their twin siblings, and are active big brothers. “They wanted to have a little brother or sister,” Katie said.

“They were so excited; I think the only thing that took a little adapting for them was there were two babies.”

Both mothers say they both feel a little stretched at time, ensuring all children get attention and love, but as any parent can confirm, parents always worry they won’t have enough to go around.

In this little village it is abundantly clear there is not a child who doesn’t know how loved or cared for they are. “Every aspect of life with twins is definitely different,” said Michael.

“If you are bathing one child you just take them into the bathroom and get it done.

“Whereas with twins you have to be well coordinated, and be aware of things, such as wrangling two children at once, with a wet bathroom floor.

“Everything is well thought out and has a set routine.” They are always working in tandem. If Michael is bathing the children, Tarryn is packing the dishwasher, cleaning bottles or getting other essential tasks done and vice versa.

When Katie is there, she will look after the babies, Michael will sort out the older children’s bedtime preparation and routine while Tarryn is getting the tasks done. “It is chaotic but it works,” they said.

“When you are on your own, four is a lot, but when we are working as a team, seven is so much easier.”

As Hay is so remote, when a trip away for shopping or appointments is necessary, one parent will stay at home and be with the children while another makes the trip away. To see these little families, self-described as their little village, together, is actual magic.

The children benefit from different skills, interests and nurturing. “When I cook, I like to do it myself, I have no patience when it comes to cooking with children,” Katie laughed.

“Tarryn will say, let’s bake a cake or cook something and I am really happy they do that together.”

“I love cooking. One time we made pasta and there was flour from top to bottom but you could see on Lincoln’s face he was having the time of his life, it was great,” Tarryn said.

Michael is very hands-on and good with the older children, involving them in many parts of daily life, including getting them all outside to feed the chickens.

“Theo cooked sausages on the barbecue with Michael the other day, he asked if he could cook too,” said Katie.

Katie is quite adaptable, as is Tarryn, both hands-on mums and quick to step in and take care of whatever needs to be done, or whatever baby needs attention at any particular moment.

As Katie’s partner Josh is away working a good deal of the time, Katie is somewhat of a solo parent during the week.

When Josh comes home on the weekends, he is just like Michael, very hands-on. It is an attribute which Katie values and admires, noting he is just like her late father, who was always doting and highly involved in her life.

“He has the same qualities, and was what I always hoped for in a partner,” she said.

“He hates fishing, but will suck it up and do it regularly as Lincoln really loves fishing.

“If we need to go somewhere, there have been times where we have left all four of the twins home with Josh, for eight or nine hours and he has been in his element.”

“Absolutely,” Tarryn agreed.

“I came home the last time and he was so chill and relaxed, I said you really make this look easy.”

“It is chaotic but it works,” they said. “When you are on your own, four is a lot, but when we are working as a team, seven is so much easier.”

The little village has bought a quad pram, to make transportation easier for their tandem twins.

None of the parents mind the hectic nature of life, and they all make it look like a breeze. Times can be difficult though, as any parent could attest. “The last couple of months have been hard, someone always seems to be sick, we have all taken a turn,” said Tarryn.

“I have had pneumonia recently, and Michael was quite sick, and it was wonderful to have Katie around to pick up the pieces.”

Life with twins definitely has its challenges.

“There is no twin trolley at the supermarkets in town,” Tarryn said.

“This can make shopping with twins and a toddler hard. ‘I usually aim to meet Michael at the supermarket, and he will carry around Brock and I will navigate the twins or vice versa.

“Or I will walk down with the pram, fill it up and go, but you don’t have a lot of storage space in a pram.”

Tarryn participated in twin classes before Myra and Evelyn were born, and also connected with a twin mother’s group in Wagga.

However, staying connected had its challenges from three hours away.

“Michael’s parents and family are so wonderful but they all work, and have busy lives and businesses to run,” Taryn said.

“There are very little resources in town to accommodate twins, which is natural considering it is a small remote rural town.”

Also, going to a playgroup is something both Katie and Tarryn can find difficult, but manage when they can. “Sometimes it is much easier to walk wherever you need to go,” they said.

“Once you get the children into the car, the pram in the car, in this time one or more babies may have become unsettled and need soothing, it is quicker to get everyone in the pram and go.”

The preparation which goes into day-to day life is significant.

The parents have 26 bottles each, stock up on formula, buying four tins at a time.

Tins of formula last two days if that, and a box of nappies and a box of wipes have about the same shelf life. Washing is perpetually coming out of their ears, and shopping bills are quite hefty.

“To eat normal food, nutritious food, the grocery shop is costly,” said Tarryn.

“Blueberries, strawberries and good food is necessary but you notice the difference.”

It is so clear the joy and fulfilment greatly outweigh the challenges.

It is indescribably endearing to see these wonderfully capable parents and little village come together to raise their gorgeous children.

A happy and well-rounded first years of a child’s life can not only have a pivotal impact on who they are, but a positive shot at early motherhood/parenthood can shape the lives of the parents as well.

Congratulations to you all, you should be really proud of this life you have created, and the amazing friendship.