I guess the real problem with my anxiety is that it makes me feel like literally everything is a huge deal or an emergency, and it causes my brain to leap to the most disastrous worst case scenario every single time. When it comes to my kids, I’m already predisposed to think things are a bigger deal than they really are, so the combination of anxiety plus motherhood issues can easily send me into a panic. For a girl who already has no chill, add anxiety to the mix is kind of disastrous.
Practical solutions for dealing with my mom anxiety
So, how do I handle this? Well, lots and lots of ways. Personally, my anxiety is linked to my hormonal cycle. So I’m currently undergoing tests to get to the bottom of that, and find a solution. In the meantime, I’m using some natural supplements and oils to help lessen the effects a bit, and they are definitely helping. But something else that is really effective for me is reaching out when I’m having irrational thoughts and worries about my kids. When I am sitting in the school parking lot waiting for my kids to come out of the building and the minutes tick by and they’re not appearing, I will usually text my husband and tell him that I’m worried about it. And he will always calmly respond and tell me that they’re fine and they will be right out. (And he is always right.) Now, this is something that I rationally know, but it very much helps me to have someone else say it and confirm it for me.
When I get into a situation where I’m having a rational anxiety-based worry, it really does help me to say it out loud to someone else. When I say it out loud, it helps cement the fact to me that this thought is anxiety-based and not reality-based. Now, you definitely want to make sure that the person you’re confiding in is someone who understands you and knows what you’re struggling with. If you choose the wrong person, their response could hurt you instead of help you. Do you want to enlist someone who is not going to say “you’re CRAZY! That’s ridiculous!” But rather something like: “I’m sorry you’re feeling that way, but remember, your kids have a 100% track record of making it out of the school and to your van safely.”
Anxiety and motherhood can be a pretty volatile mix. If you’re struggling, definitely talk to your doctor or counselor. Don’t let yourself just live in a miserable mix of worry and panic. Reach out and seek help for yourself so you can enjoy those kids and all of life’s little moments instead of just getting through them.
