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Confessions of a Worrywart Mom
As a kid, I attended Catholic school, where I dutifully confessed my wrongdoings to the priest. I’ll never forget the guilt I felt over those three checkmarks I received for doing unauthorized cartwheels in gym class, resulting in a confusing term paper on hockey (seriously, what’s that all about?). The relief I felt when I was told God forgave me for those joyful yet sinful cartwheels was unforgettable.
There’s something truly cathartic about confessing, whether it’s to a friend, co-worker, or partner. It allows us to lighten our emotional load and, hopefully, feel reassured that we’re not alone in our struggles.
Today, I have a confession of my own: I’m a mom who worries—like, a lot. I’m not talking about the usual mom concerns like street safety or sharp objects. I’m a world-class worrier.
For instance, I often fret about whether I had too many toxins during my pregnancy and how that might impact my daughter’s future intelligence. What if she doesn’t get into her dream college because I drank too much caffeine one time? Sure, she’s in advanced classes now, but what if everything goes south because I didn’t know the right kind of lettuce to buy?
While many people shrug off the confusing nutrition advice thrown at us—Are eggs good now? Is bread back on the table?—I’m in a constant state of anxiety that I’ll mess it up and my child will suffer some serious health issues as a result.
Last spring, after basketball season, my 12-year-old was in fantastic shape, yet I found myself asking my husband if she looked too thin. “No, she’s just been working out non-stop. You’re worrying for nothing,” he said. But I couldn’t help it! I ended up buying her a giant bag of Starburst, trying to add some “meat” to her bones, only to spiral into yet another worry about what weird stuff is in those candies.
Honestly, I want to break free from this cycle of worry. It’s not just about parenting; I also stress over the stock market, climate change, politics, and aging parents. Sometimes, I even catch myself spiraling into thoughts about the apocalypse and conspiracy theories.
I probably have enough anxiety bottled up for the entire planet, so if you’re a fellow worrier, relax—I’ve got your back. I know I may never completely let go of my anxieties, but I also realize that letting some of it go is key to my well-being.
I’ve tried countless approaches to dial back the worry—medication, yoga, meditation, prayer, exercise (though not consistently, let’s be real), dietary changes, and journaling. Yet, I still find myself in full worry mode. If folks like me don’t get a handle on our anxiety, it can really rob us of joy. I often look back on moments, like a sunset at the beach, and realize I spent it fretting about whether we wore enough sunscreen that day (and of course, what was in that sunscreen).
What comforts me is knowing that from the moment our kids are born, when we’re up all night checking if they’re breathing, to when they leave for college, we’re all in this together—millions of moms worrying just like me.
So, to my fellow extreme worriers, please raise your hands and let me know I’m not alone! For now, I’ll kick back with a glass of wine—just need to quickly worry about sulfates first.
In conclusion, being a mom comes with its fair share of worries, but it’s important to find ways to manage them so we can enjoy the little moments in life. For more insights on parenting and fertility, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.