Anxiety in Our Children
Battling anxiety is tough. Somehow, I have found ways to deal. Does that mean I don’t have anxiety? That chest crushing panic when things don’t go to plan, when something is mis placed, that feeling when my child is running late or even worse for me, when I know my child is going through something that I can’t solve.
I remember the school calling when my oldest got hit with an oar on a field trip. He was hours from home and had been hit in the face. I panic cleaned everything I could think of while I waited for the time to run to the school to get him and take him to the ER. The latest for that son was a text that he had been in an accident. They live 19 hours away from us, and he sent pictures. Even knowing he’s ok, it’s still stressful. The worst though is that I know he suffers from anxiety and is having a hard time dealing with the loss of his car and all the tasks associated with the accident (and he doesn’t normally drive). We did what we could to ease his fear from here, but I could just hear the stress he’s feeling coming through the phone line.
My first impulse is to try to solve all their problems and offer possible solutions. Sometimes that helps, but I’ve learned that at least with my youngest that just seems to increase his stress.
As a mom I worry about all my boys and the effect stress has on them. I know that stress is something that easily can affect our health. In high school I stressed enough that I ended up with a bleeding ulcer that prevented me from going to be an exchange student. Since that time ulcers, heartburn, and migraines have plagued my life. My middle son battles heartburn and migraines also.
Where is the line for helping our children and ensuring they are safe and happy?
