Debbie Downer Alert: As you can imagine, parenting with anxiety can be a challenge. It flares up in debilitating ways and at inconvenient times, and has caused countless hours of stress and frustration for me and my partner. However, there is a bright side: My current method of treatment is going awesomely (you guys, talk to your doctors, seriously). However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t still find myself struggling in ways that other parents may not typically struggle. I’ve seen the way my spouse’s eyes go blank as he tries to come up with something soothing to say when I’m attempting to explain an imaginary concern, or how he takes a breath to manage his disappointment when my mood sours over something microscopic.
In some ways, having a baby has actually helped the issue. Becoming a mom motivated me to kick my treatment efforts into high gear, and I finally found something that works. That said, there are still many challenges of parenthood that feel insurmountable at times, and anxiety often magnifies the issue. If this rings true for anyone, or if it perhaps sounds like your partner, or even feels just a little close to home, seriously, talk to your doctor or a trusted professional.
Any Hint Of Illness
If I had a nickel for every time I found myself furrowing my brow and watching my son closely, trying to determine if his sniffle was a sign of a cold or just dust in the air, or whether his lethargy was from tiredness after a park excursion or an incoming virus, I’d have an ish-ton of nickels.
Any Activity That Gets a Little Rowdier Than Originally Planned
REEL IT BACK IN BOYS, let’s make today a concussion-free day!
Going Down A Terrible Internet Rabbit Hole
Does anyone know how to filter out posts that have anything to do with personal tragedies from your feed? No? OK, does anyone have Mark Zuckerburg’s email address that they might be able to share with me? I need to talk to him about a way to hide all the things that terrify me and trigger my anxiety, because that is a lot of things.
Any Moment When Your Child Leaves Your Sight In Public
Just a friendly PSA: If you are looking at curtains in a big-box store, DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD ON THE FLOOR AND LET THEM ROAM FREELY. THEY CAN HIDE BEHIND THE DISPLAY CURTAINS. Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything. Not that I had a total panic attack or anything.
Any Time They Touch Something You Don’t Want Them To Touch...
No one’s ever died from getting dried bird poop under their tiny fingernails, right? Right? Guys…?
…And Then Put Their Hands In Their Mouth
I. Can’t. Even. (And by "I can't even," I mean "I can't even sleep tonight because I'm imagining all the germs that are currently multiplying within my sweet child's body.")
Any Time They Near An Outlet Or Any Electrical Cords
Our home is baby-proofed to the best of our ability, but still, on more than one occasion, I've had to dive across the room to stop my son from getting too close to something we don’t want him getting close to. Thank you, middle school volleyball, for teaching me not to be afraid of landing stomach-down on the floor.
Reading Headline News
Does anyone want to go live in a remote cabin in the woods with us? Extra points if you know how to grow your own food, or sew your own clothes, or entertain me.
Hearing Them Say "Uh-Oh"
LOOK AT ME ARE YOU ALIVE STOP SMILING IT’S NOT FUNNY MOM’S JUST A LITTLE CONCERNED OK??
When Their Playing Gets a Little Too Quiet
Again, the response I usually have is: LOOK AT ME ARE YOU ALIVE STOP SMILING IT’S NOT FUNNY MOM’S JUST A LITTLE CONCERNED OK??
