If you are a mom who is tired of feeling anxious and overwhelmed, this is for you. I want to start off by saying that anxiety comes with parenthood. Feeling anxious or worried about your child in any way means you are doing your job. Understandably, there are many things that us parents have to worry about when it comes to our child/ren. These feelings of worry can start as early as preconception/family planning and evolve and grow over time. While the things in which a mom may worry about changes over time, the feeling of worry about your child is a thread that is woven in all phases of motherhood. Even mothers of adult children report still worrying about their child.
Common reasons mother’s worry can look like:
- Health of infant/child, from being sick to what they eat, how they sleep, and everything in between
- Aspects of healthy development and meeting milestones
- Unwanted behaviors and tantrums
- Social interactions, navigating relationships, bullying, peer pressure, and fitting in
- Financial means needed to care for children
- Extra curriculars and how to navigate these demands
- Tough parenting decisions and feelings of “not doing enough”
- Teaching values and morals
- Adjustment to change, illness, relocation, loss, divorce, new siblings, etc.
- Schooling, decisions surrounding this, and the challenges this can at times bring
- Safety in every stage of life
If worry is a constant in motherhood, and the list of things to worry about is long, does this mean you are destined to continue to feel anxious and overwhelmed? Not necessarily. While anxiety is a part of motherhood, it is not the sole part. There are also parts that include joy, happiness, fulfillment, and lots and lots of love.
I find that there are many things that create additional anxiety for us mothers and contributing factors that can keep you feeling more anxious than is helpful.
Things that may be influencing your anxiety and keeping you anxious:
- Trying to do it all
- Not having enough support
- Difficulty asking for help or not being accepting of help that is offered
- Focusing on what is not within your control instead of what is
- Not using healthy coping tools to manage your own emotions and needs
- Getting lost researching in the rabbit hole that is the internet
- Comparing your child to other children
- Comparing yourself to other parents/moms
- Not being fully present in the moment with your child
- Not seeking help for your own mental health needs
- Inability to regulate your own emotions
Anxiety is a part of motherhood, but you do not have to continue to feel this anxious. Therapy or counseling can be a great place of support if you are feeling that the anxiousness of motherhood is negatively impacting you and/or your children. If you are struggling and need support to help you navigate the challenges that us mothers face, reach out today. Learn how I help women just like you get to a place where motherhood feels more manageable and enjoyable.