Motherhood Worry: a Journey of Love

One thing is for sure, a whole new journey of worry begins that memorable moment you realize you are becoming a mother! Parental worry is one of those life experiences that you live and learn. I’m pretty sure it’s written right there in the job description for mother: worrier, caregiver, teacher of all, and provider of love.

Of course, my parents always expressed their love, worry, and concern for my well-being but it wasn’t until I experienced this worry as a mother that I truly understood. Oh the days, when my parents would say don’t stay out too late or call to check in because we worry about you (as I rolled my eyes and looked the other way) – so I um, I finally get it – sorry mom and dad!

On this journey through life, as our family grows our worry grows.

Anyone who knows me personally, would probably say I worry more than the average human BUT this motherhood worry is absolutely no joke. My mommyhood worry really kicked in as soon as the doctors revealed that Toddler E would have clubfoot at my 20 week ultrasound.

And of course there have been worries when I reflect back and wish I hadn’t worried but in the moment, those worries can be BIG and REAL and sometimes SCARY. In the beginning, there are worries of when to feed baby, how much to feed baby, how to comfort those helpless cries, wondering if baby is sick, worries of baby sleeping, and of course the worries continue to worries of toddler behavior, worries of meeting developmental norms, worries about how to discipline, worries when your toddler cries out at night when he is sick and just plain worries if I’m doing anything on this motherhood journey right.

I’m starting to notice a pattern (especially with a baby and toddler in the house) and I suspect this worry train is not going to subside throughout the years.

Let me assure you, that of course as mothers, we are going to worry and of course worry does not actually change the outcome but we CARE and LOVE our children and worry is inevitable on this motherhood journey. We want our children to know just how much they are loved and just how much we care. We want what is best for our children and we worry as we try to protect them and provide for them. We worry as we try to comfort them and as we try to decode those sometimes mystical behaviors or helpless cries.

Please remember to take care of you, mommas matter too! – reach out to a friend, talk with a family member and sometimes those worries are put to ease as you realize that you share worries with other mommas! You should never feel alone with your worrisome thoughts and never feel your worries are insignificant. Have providers you trust – put those worries in the pediatrician’s hands!

Recently, I worried endlessly about a few of my toddler’s behaviors. Then, I worried about how to explain the worry to the pediatrician. Ok, so I did say, I probably worry more than average BUT guess what – the pediatrician listened and put a specialist’s contact information in my hands. The worry still continues but I’ve decided to take it one day at a time and I felt relief just because I positively channeled the worry.

There is one thing for sure, my two little worry makers are worth every thought! Try to savor and reflect on the positive, keep the negative in perspective, and I wish you a lifetime of happy worrying mothering!