Here's a topic no one seems to want to mention. Moms have anxiety.
Now I'm not saying we all sit around every day scared to leave the house (although I know some do, and I know that some days otherwise anxiety free moms will feel that way as well) but anxiety is a common part of daily life. Anxiety is that feeling that reminds us not to let them out of sight in a busy store, or to buckle the carseat, and that hot stoves are hot. I know it seems like common sense, but in truth it is worry and anxiety over the outcome. We keep them close in the store so they don't get lost or stolen, we buckle the carseat to keep them safe from accident and injury, and we don't touch the stove because, well, it will hurt. This is good, useable, anxiety.
Some moms have more then others. Some parents show and feel more symptoms of stronger anxiety. This can be a normal part of life too. I feel it is unfair when I hear a new mom, or a first time mom, tell me that they suffer from anxiety as thought they are ashamed. I wish that more moms wer willing to discuss it with them, to tell them it's normal. Nothing is worse then being afraid that you aren't normal or that you're a bad parent because of how you feel. I think that if everyone were to be more open then maybe there would be less feeling of judgement, and more feelings of growth and acceptance. Do you feel this way? Simply ask your moms, straight out in honest conversation, if she ever got anxious with children. Suprisingly the answer is yes far more then you would expect.
If you feel a mom around you has increased anxiety then maybe having someone to share these feelings with would help her. Maybe she just wants to know it's normal and she's not the only one. Even if you personally don't have those concerns, surely we all understand why someone would. I do recommend telling your medical professional if anxiety becomes debilitating, or stops you from living a normal life, don't let fear run your life!
Now I'm not saying we all sit around every day scared to leave the house (although I know some do, and I know that some days otherwise anxiety free moms will feel that way as well) but anxiety is a common part of daily life. Anxiety is that feeling that reminds us not to let them out of sight in a busy store, or to buckle the carseat, and that hot stoves are hot. I know it seems like common sense, but in truth it is worry and anxiety over the outcome. We keep them close in the store so they don't get lost or stolen, we buckle the carseat to keep them safe from accident and injury, and we don't touch the stove because, well, it will hurt. This is good, useable, anxiety.
Some moms have more then others. Some parents show and feel more symptoms of stronger anxiety. This can be a normal part of life too. I feel it is unfair when I hear a new mom, or a first time mom, tell me that they suffer from anxiety as thought they are ashamed. I wish that more moms wer willing to discuss it with them, to tell them it's normal. Nothing is worse then being afraid that you aren't normal or that you're a bad parent because of how you feel. I think that if everyone were to be more open then maybe there would be less feeling of judgement, and more feelings of growth and acceptance. Do you feel this way? Simply ask your moms, straight out in honest conversation, if she ever got anxious with children. Suprisingly the answer is yes far more then you would expect.
If you feel a mom around you has increased anxiety then maybe having someone to share these feelings with would help her. Maybe she just wants to know it's normal and she's not the only one. Even if you personally don't have those concerns, surely we all understand why someone would. I do recommend telling your medical professional if anxiety becomes debilitating, or stops you from living a normal life, don't let fear run your life!