Worries all mums can face
Being a mum is the most rewarding thing I think anyone of us can experience, but I also feel it is one of the hardest challenges we will ever face. The issue is, so many of us can feel alone in the journey and feel we are the only ones feeling this conflict of emotions. The truth is, we all experience worry from time to time and motherhood can certainly make us feel anxious. With that in mind, here are some of the most common worries all mums can face and have to deal with.
I hope by sharing these worries all mums can face and that I have definitely dealt with it will help other mums and maybe even ease those anxious feelings in the process. Children are blessings, yes, but it’s also wise for our own sanity to feel comforted that we are not the only ones to worry.
Image source – Pixabay – CC0 License
Health concerns
One of the biggest things we as mums can worry about is the health of our children. Any high fever, cough and cold can certainly send our worry emotion into overdrive, especially as a first-time mum. It’s natural to be concerned as to whether your child is healthy or experiencing something nasty which is why it’s always advisable to seek guidance from doctor when you are concerned. But It’s understandable that appointments may be in the future, and the truth be told we would like an answer there and then as to the welfare of our babies. Sometimes simple things like constipation can be resolved through over the counter products like a Baby Stool Softener
Colic and wind can be helped through over the counter remedies or even using baby massage techniques. There are even things you can do at home to alleviate common illnesses like a cold such as steam generated from a shower or a natural remedies such as turmeric or honey (not under 12 months old) for example.
It is always my preference to seek advice if I am not sure. That might be from the GP or the pharmacist, but I also think it is important to trust your own instinct and judgement. It is ok to feel worried sometimes and to ask professionals for their help and guidance.
SchoolÂ
School can be such a huge worry to mothers. From wondering whether they are getting the best out of the educational environment to whether they will have friends in their class. Some people choose to home school, and then wonder whether that is the best option. We all want to ensure that our children learn as much as they can in the most positive of manners. If you dindo feel a little anxious over this then speaking to other mothers, reading experiences of other mothers or even chatting to the school itself could enable you to put your mind at ease a little. I would always suggest joining parenting email or whats app groups at your kids school as asking those who have done it before can be so useful.
Their development
There isn’t any mother out there who won’t worry about the development of their child. Sure milestones and ages are not necessarily important as each child develops at their own rate, but it doesn’t stop us questioning whether everything is fine. Again communicating these concerns will be the only way to put your mind at ease, every child is different after all. This is one of the areas where chatting to other mums can be both a help and a hindrance as let’s face it we can all be tempted to compare… I found attending health visitor appointments and asking questions was really useful when I was concerned about my daughter’s speech development.
Our own mindset
What mum doesn’t worry about their own mindset? Whether that is feeling crazy by the end of the day, or even feeling the loneliness that can come with motherhood. It isn’t spoken about enough, and it is so important to surround yourself with positive people who will help support you. Especially on those days where you are feeling tired and drained. It is so very hard to remember yourself when your children need so much, but we need to take care of ourselves so we can take care of them!
Meditation for mental health
Of course, there are so many other things to worry about such as sleep and fussiness with eating, but at least we can all agree that a problem can be halved when spoken about. More often than not, it can make you feel much calmer about the situation. Mummy friends are super important as we are all in this together after all! I know I have benefited from chatting things through even if the end result has been that I need to speak to the professionals.
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Interesting post. I guess the balance is in the ability to not worry until you need to…Easier said than done! #Dreamteam
When I was on mat leave (which was eons ago) , the best thing for me was to join a mommy and me group. Meeting up with other moms once a week was exactly what I needed to get through the following week. Knowing that other moms had the same struggles, questions, etc. as I did…made me realize that I wasn’t alone.
That definitely helped me too!! #DreamTeam
I actually thought I was a pretty accomplished worrier when my kids were tiny, but I’ve exceeded even my own standards of “excellence” now that they are facing grown up issues that are often outside my ability to even HELP with, never mind control or alleviate.
Prayer is a good thing. A life-saver, actually.
ha ha! It is something I am getting more and more skilled at 😉 #DreamTeam
I love the idea of meditation but in practice i’m Just too much of a fidget! I definitely worry most about school, from the social side to the academic work, there’s always something to worry about! #dreamteam
Isn’t there just! #DreamTeam
Of all of those I definitely stress about their mental health, and their wellbeing at school the most.
#dreamteam
I probably stress most about health, but that is just because of my daughter’s narrowed airway issue #DreamTeam
Thanks for this lovely positive post Kirsty. I always struggle with whether to take my daughter to the doctors if I am concerned about something – I don’t want to be a hypochondriac and waste the doctors time. I also worry about whether she is developing ‘as per the guidelines’, ha! However I do take time out for myself each week and attend Pilates. It helps my mind and body, and I always feel better afterwards. #DreamTeam
I am glad you take that time every week. It is so important to keep on doing things for us. I forgot that for ages and really suffered¬
Oh my goodness! Being a Mummy is the hardest thing I’ve ever done so I agree that it’s important to share our experiences.
I worried about my first son’s development and I needn’t have done because he is absolutely fine. But with my second son who is autistic I’ve had to stop worrying because there’s nothing I can do about it.
It really is isn’t it! I have struggled with worrying about my daughter’s developmental delays, but now I am feeling better about her just tracking her own path. She is happy at school and that is what matters most. I help her wherever I can, but I am not pushing.
School is such a worry because you don’t really know what happens once they walk through the gates and it’s the silly things like will they remember to wear their coat, will they like the snack for today and will they have someone to play with at break! #DreamTeam
It really is! All you have to go on is what they tell you. I find it easier with my girls as the boys are already there and so they offer reassurance when they tell me what their sisters were up to a break time #DreamTeam
Really good post that will help people, I have found the parenting gig tough to be honest – too much loss of identity, not being sure what I was doing half the time and just wanting them to be OK in such a painfully heartfelt way that does not go away even with one turning 19 years of age this week. My mum said the hardest bit when she died was worrying if her children would be OK. Her youngest was 40 by that point and she had two in their fifties. Madness but it keeps the planet going! #DreamTeam
I very much struggle with the loss of personal identity. That has been my big project in the past year. I need to find the balance between being what they need and remembering me! #DreamTeam
*Nods along to all of these. There are so many things to worry about isn’t there! I completely agree with that old term.. a problem shared is a problem halved. It helps so much chatting and sharing. #DreamTeam xx
Yep me too! I always feel better when I have shared
agree with all of these – for dads as well as moms. #dreamteam
Totally dads definitely worry too!
Love this post and hope it helps parents who are feeling a bit lonely in parenthood. #DreamTeam
I couldn’t agree more, as a mum I worry about absolutely everything. So much so that it was affecting me and I knew that it was time for things to change. I’ve worked really hard at relaxing and not letting everything get to me but it really does take work! I totally agree with surrounding yourself with positive people, that is great advice for every mum out there and so vital #dreamteam
I didn’t know that I was inclined to worry as much as I do! I am really trying to relax a bit too #DreamTeam
There are all sorts of things we worry about isn’t there! You can’t imagine before you become a parent #DreamTeam
Indeed there are!
I worry about so much, mainly due to sleep deprivation and lack of personal time. Such a great post to share to help each other recognise we’re normal for thinking all these things and that it’s a tough gig to have! #dreamteam
Sometimes it is hard to stay sane!! #DreamTeam