Monday, July 20, 2009
Worry Monsters
Have you ever met a worry monster before? You might wonder what I'm talking about, so I'll reword my question. Have you ever met a mom before? Let's face it Moms, we're worry-warts down to the core. We can't help it. It's second nature to think through every possible scenario, which makes us efficient at paying the bills but not so good at relaxing and lowering our blood pressure.
While it's reasonable for us to be cautious, it's ridiculous to be consumed by worry. We should make intelligent choices to protect our family, like locking the doors at night, closing first-floor windows, and storing dangerous house-hold items in safe places. We can also be smart when we're out and about, by holding our child's hand while crossing the street, teaching her to ask us first before accepting candy from a stranger, and having her stay close by while at the mall or at a theme park.
Most of us are a bit more generous with our cautious natures. We worry about everything. What if the phone bill fell out of the mailbox? What if the mom doing carpool today gets hit by another car? What if the note I wrote to his teacher fell out of his folder? Does my daughter remember our phone number if she needs to call me while at the slumber party? What if someone kidnaps my kids while they are waiting for me to pick them up from soccer practice? What if my daughter's frequent bloody noses means she has a brain tumor?
If you aren't this kind of incessant worrier, then forgive my generalizations. But, for most moms, we really have a hard time shutting down and letting go of our plethora of concerns. If we don't relax about the doomsday possibilities that affect a fairly small number of people, then we won't be able to live full lives. If you followed through on all of your worries, you'd never send your kid to camp or open your windows for a cool breeze. You'd always put your alarm system on, which would principally act as shock-therapy for your family and surrounding neighbors.
It's time to reclaim your life by choosing peace and calm. You can make wise and practical choices but can't save your kids from every possibility of imminent danger. A sun-flare could strike and there's nothing you could do about that (Anyone seen the new Nicholas Cage movie: Knowing?). So, do your best to care for your kids without losing your mind. Your family will appreciate it as well.
While it's reasonable for us to be cautious, it's ridiculous to be consumed by worry. We should make intelligent choices to protect our family, like locking the doors at night, closing first-floor windows, and storing dangerous house-hold items in safe places. We can also be smart when we're out and about, by holding our child's hand while crossing the street, teaching her to ask us first before accepting candy from a stranger, and having her stay close by while at the mall or at a theme park.
Most of us are a bit more generous with our cautious natures. We worry about everything. What if the phone bill fell out of the mailbox? What if the mom doing carpool today gets hit by another car? What if the note I wrote to his teacher fell out of his folder? Does my daughter remember our phone number if she needs to call me while at the slumber party? What if someone kidnaps my kids while they are waiting for me to pick them up from soccer practice? What if my daughter's frequent bloody noses means she has a brain tumor?
If you aren't this kind of incessant worrier, then forgive my generalizations. But, for most moms, we really have a hard time shutting down and letting go of our plethora of concerns. If we don't relax about the doomsday possibilities that affect a fairly small number of people, then we won't be able to live full lives. If you followed through on all of your worries, you'd never send your kid to camp or open your windows for a cool breeze. You'd always put your alarm system on, which would principally act as shock-therapy for your family and surrounding neighbors.
It's time to reclaim your life by choosing peace and calm. You can make wise and practical choices but can't save your kids from every possibility of imminent danger. A sun-flare could strike and there's nothing you could do about that (Anyone seen the new Nicholas Cage movie: Knowing?). So, do your best to care for your kids without losing your mind. Your family will appreciate it as well.
Labels: family, kids, moms, worry
Comments:
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It's hard not to worry as a mom...but you are right, we can just entrust these little ones back into God's hands who love them even more than we do!!
I don't think I ever tried to go anywhere except McDonald's with a play place when my kids were little...it just wasn't worth the stress and headache. I hear ya.
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I don't think I ever tried to go anywhere except McDonald's with a play place when my kids were little...it just wasn't worth the stress and headache. I hear ya.
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