Fear, mom fear to be exact, can consume a mom.
Right away, I had this sense of urgency to protect my children. When we brought my son home from the hospital, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. Well, for starters, I thought he was the most adorable baby I had ever seen in my life. His coos just melted my heart. But, when it came to lay him down in his bassinet, I couldn’t help but have this overwhelming fear.
Is he going to be able to breathe? Is he going to stop breathing in the middle of the night?
It overwhelmed me so much, that I woke up every hour to go check on him. I would wait and see if his little chest would move.
I was a first time mother. I had no idea what I was doing or how to do anything. This went on for months. So, I was this really tired mom during the day. I would sneak in naps when I could. But, even they were really short.
Eventually the fear went away. But, new fears trickled in. Like when he started to crawl. He would find every little thing on the floor and put it in his mouth.
Is he going to choke?
Those were the moments that made my anxiety creep up into my throat. It’s scary. I am raising a human being. I am now managing an impulsive personality in my home that is foreign to me. He’s now three and gives me other things that nearly give me heart attacks.
But, over the years I have learned to trust that he is far more capable of things than I give him credit for doing. What he does still makes me silently gasp; but, if I continue to live with a constant fear. I can’t be the best mama for him. And with two kiddos now, oh boy, there are moments I just have to close my eyes, say a prayer and just breathe.
Being brave is really hard. So, what are some ways to overcome fear?
