When Lisa, age 57, first noticed that her mother seemed confused, she assumed it was typical behavior from an 80-year-old. She continued to take it in stride when her mother tried to make a phone call using the TV remote. Lisa became somewhat concerned when her mother started sautéing onions in a pan and then walked outside to get the mail, forgetting the stove was on. When her mother began seeing her long-dead mother in bed with her, Lisa realized there was more to the picture than normal aging. She knew her mother required full-time care.
When kids are stressed, they ruminate about past problems and worry about future what-ifs.
Feeling like you are the only person who is awake in the world as you pace the floor all night with a sick baby in your arms? Hiding in your dark pantry to cry alone after yelling at your kids because they’ve been bickering at each other for hours? Feeling completely defeated and inadequate because your toddler violently refuses to eat every meal you’ve put in front of them? Wondering if you are the only one who has to repeat themselves 3,457 times to get your teenager to complete one simple task?
Worrying, it’s something all parents do. I know I am guilty of it, especially when I lie awake in the wee hours of the morning with the silence of the house ringing in my ears. I worry about what I forgot to do, what I need to do, what I should have done, and what I already did. Let’s face it, parenting is hard. There is always something to be done, someone in the household who needs assistance, and many things to worry about including feeding your kids healthy food, your children’s friendships, and what other parents think about your parenting choices. Some worries are valid, but many worries are not worth your time and effort. What if you could learn to let these worries go?
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