Humor: Nature's Best Cure

A few months ago Conor wrote an article for our favorite multiples magazine, Supertwins. They published it in this quarter's issue. I love his honesty and humor and wanted to share it with all of you... 

Humor:  Nature’s Best Cure 

High risk pregnancy. 

NICU life. 

Ever-changing daily routines. 

Juggling responsibilities, schedules, and finances. 

 

Let’s be honest……life with multiples is anything but predictable.  For a self-confessed control freak and Type-A personality, nothing frustrates me more than relinquishing control and having to adapt.  Before we had our quads, I was convinced that planning and preparation would solve any issue we may encounter.  After 2 months in the NICU, reoccurring hospitalizations for our son, contraction of RSV, and an average of 3 hours of sleep per night in the first year – I sat back, swallowed an immense amount of pride, threw up the white flag, and just laughed after realizing that life was not going to follow a master plan.  In hindsight, I think it is one of the greatest life lessons to date, and a huge benefit of having multiples.  I would not trade that experience.  But what happens when the constant need for adaptation and patience gets the best of you?   For us, we try to always laugh first, and find a way to see the good in the situation.  Did you know it is medically proven that when you smile and laugh, tiny endorphins are released in your body that can physically change your state of mental being, lowering your stress levels and improving your health over time?  It’s like nature’s own cure for your problems! 

 

One of the things my wife and I enjoy most of all is sleeping. speaking to other families with multiples.  It always amazes us to see what a unique and valuable perspective everyone brings to the table.  Reading the articles in Supertwins is always a great reality check.  No two families are alike, and there is an astounding wealth of collective knowledge.  That’s why we believe organizations like MOST are so valuable.  Many of the stories shared and hardships overcome are inspiring, and help to put life back into perspective.  And guess what?  Most of them make you smile or laugh, don’t they? 

 

GREAT – NOW WHAT? 

 

Life happens to all of us.  Raising kids is just plain stressful, let alone when you raise many at once.  Everyone’s challenges are different and unique, but I think it may be safe to say that none of us have breezed right through it all without a night or two of tears, frustration, and the urge tear your hair out (if you even have any left…).  Our kids aren’t even 2 years old, and I can’t count the number of times where it felt like there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel.  It’s at these moments that it’s natural and far too easy to fall into the rut of dwelling on the negatives in your life.  I doubt anyone actually means to dwell on these types of issues, but it is just plain hard not to.  Things like…

·        We never have enough time together.

·        We don’t have enough money.

·        I’m just too tired – when are we going to get a break?

·        We never get a chance to relax.

·        What are we going to do when they get older? 

·        When are they going to slow down?

·        How are we going to send them to college?

·        Things are NEVER going to get easier, are they?

 

All are valid concerns that I bet you’ve had at one point or another.   I know we’ve spent endless hours worrying about and fixating on each of them. But, have you ever really gained or solved anything through self-pity?  I know we haven’t – but maybe we’re just not doing it right.  Instead, we’ve come to find and rely upon humor when these issues arise.  No matter how chaotic things get, you can always find a way to laugh and make the best of it.  We’ve been blessed to have kids at all, when so many families don’t ever get the chance to do so.  So why not find the positives in every situation possible, and just avoid the negatives all together? 

 

Poop on the walls?  Laugh, take a picture, and clean it up – the walls needed to be sterilized anyways…

 

Four kids, all sick at the same time?  Smile, love them even more, and enjoy the time you have with them now. 

 

Sleep deprived, cranky, and not looking forward to the next cycle of endless cleaning and feedings?  Look at a picture of the kids when they were first born, or watch some old video footage of them.  Think about how far they’ve come.  Instant smile and enough energy to keep going for the rest of the day.  

 

Watching the monthly expenses increase exponentially?  Just laugh.  What better expense is there than your family?  They’ll only be this young once – might as well soak it all in and enjoy.  It’s a sacrifice you make, but isn’t it worth it? 

 

Is this a simplistic view on life?  Yes, no doubt.  But the more time passes, the stronger my conviction that this remains the best option.  We’re only 22 months into our journey, but looking back on the last few years, I now realize how silly some of the “issues” were that we used to spend time stressing, agonizing, and arguing about.  We love each other, love our kids, and couldn’t be happier to have them in our life. 

 

Granted, there will be times that are difficult to find the humor in.  But that’s what prayer, family, friends, and humility are for.  No one is perfect and deals with everything the right way, ALL the time.  However, if you can smile, laugh, and make the best of what you’ve been dealt with – life has a funny way of working itself out for you.  If nature offers you a cure, why not use it?     

 

Conor McNulty

Russell Man

Little Libs

Molly Lou

Sweet Ally

Loving life outside the stroller!

I love you Conor and am so proud to be your wife. Have a great week everyone!

XOXO

Gen