Parenting Means Gaining A Lot Of Irrational Fears You Didnt Have Before

Worry is the dark underbelly of parenthood, on the flipside of which is happiness, joy and fulfilment. This is the side of parenting that no one warns you about, the fact that now you can hear the news that is worse than your own death! Worrying is basically a part of the job description of being a parent.

The key in these situations is to know where to draw the line between worrying and obsessing. A parent’s worry should help keep their child safe, not make them loose grip on sanity.

Constructive worrying is like an alarm system. It helps you identify dangers before they arise so that you can reduce risks. However, excessive worrying is a car alarm that won’t stop beeping – you get stuck in dangers long past having any chance to take preventive action. Other signs of inappropriate worrying include avoiding any situation that may put your child at risk (like not letting your 5-year-old play football because you’re afraid he/she might get hurt) and catastrophic thinking is when you always jump to the worst conclusion.

These kinds of worrying set in because of reasons that are unique to each person. Past experiences and knowledge seem to be the main reason. What you have seen happen in your family or have heard of will influence you and either ease out your worries or tense you even further.

How to worry less:

1. The first step to doing this is asking you if the problem is solvable. If you have control over the situation, then brainstorm to figure out how to solve whatever is worrying you. If it isn’t, then consciously distract your mind away from the problem.

2. The next tip to help you worry less is to accept uncertainty. This is easier said than done, so take your time to come to terms with the fact that there are some things you can’t predict, but they can happen nonetheless.3. And lastly, practice mindfulness. For this, it is important that you acknowledge your anxieties and worries, and work on letting them go. Learn to focus on the present by

3. And lastly, practice mindfulness. For this, it is important that you acknowledge your anxieties and worries, and work on letting them go. Learn to focus on the present by practising yoga and meditation or any other activity that relaxes you.