Twins Tips: Feeling Overwhelmed? Try this.  

With twins, there will be times that you’ll be overwhelmed. Here are the things I find helpful when I get this feeling (some of these apply to any situation, not just twin stress):

• Walk outside. With or without a baby. Getting some fresh air can make a difference.  

• Call or text a friend. Talking to an adult can make you feel better, especially if you’ve been by yourself with more than one kid. 

• Get on Facebook. This may sound terrible but when I get on there I realize that whatever I’m dealing with is usually minimal compared to someone else’s issues. 

• Cry if you need to. There were moments when I was by myself with two screaming babies that I just broke down. It can be a good release. 

• On the other side of the spectrum, laugh. In stressful times, laughing is great medicine. Watch a funny show. Or better yet, watch a funny YouTube video of twins. If your babies are old enough, make them laugh. There are few things better than baby laughs and you have double the laughs. 

• Get a hug. A hug from a friend or family member always feels good. 

• Take a timeout to just look at your babies and what an amazing and crazy thing it is that you that made two at the same time. 

• Write in a journal. Sometimes you won’t feel like talking about your feelings and that’s ok. Writing can give you the release that you don’t feel like talking about. 

• Put yourself in your babies’ shoes (if they had shoes). Crying is the only way, as a baby, they have to communicate for a while. Sometimes when you think about it this way, it helps. 

• If you’re a planner like me, find something to plan. It could be a menu or what you’re going to do on your first vacation away from the kids. If you’re not a planner by nature don’t do this since it will contribute to the overwhelming feeling. 

• Call in reinforcements, if that’s an option. Even if it is only for 30 minutes, the help might be all you need. 

• Exercise. If you’re like me, there’s no time to go to the gym. I found that exercising with your baby/ies can be fun for you and them. It could be as simple as loading them into the stroller and walking around the block or push-ups while you give baby kisses. 

• Take a shower. This is going to sound cheesy, but while you are standing there try to imagine the water washing away your stress.  

• Listen to your favorite music. Crank it up. Dance around. 

I do want to say that if you feel like you might be depressed, tell your doctor. Don’t ignore it. Postpartum depression is real and there is help out there for you. 

I use a combination of the above things when my stress level starts to increase. Let’s face it, not all of these are possible all the time but hopefully you’ll find something that can help you out.