Over Paranoid About Kids Safety

[Sarah1013]

Okay so I know every parent is a little paranoid when it comes to keeping their children safe. But my paranoia has become a huge problem in that it's taken over my life. Like at night when my kids are asleep I have to constantly check on them for fear they wont be there, so much that Im losing sleep. And I can't even leave them with family members because Im scared that they wont watch them as diligently as they should or that my oldest daughter whose two (she has a habit lately of trying to go outside by herself) will sneak out an no one will notice and that shell get hit by a car or disappear. The most horrible things are constantly going through my mind and I cant control it. The stress of it all is starting to get to me. And you can only imagine how I feel with the whole h1n1 outbreak.

Does anyone else experience this? I don't know what to do.

[Diva2317]

When my daughter was born another dad told me something that I still remember to this day, that children are more tough than they look. I only have 1 child and I probably won't have any more for reasons I won't go into and sometimes I start to panic about how I would feel if something were to happen to her. I wouldn't have any other children to enjoy and love. But I remind myself that she is her own person and wouldn't be very happy if I were to be helicopter mom. I can't tell you how many times she has fallen or ran into something and just got back up and kept going. We don't coddle her when she falls so she doesn't even think twice about it unless she's really hurt.

On the other hand, I have every right to be a bit overprotective because of her food allergies. If someone were to make a careless mistake she would end up in the ER and I would be furious, even if it was a mistake. I have a select group of family and friends that I trust her with and I don't worry about her when I'm gone at work. My husband watches her a lot by himself and does a great job. I guess you have to find a balance between being a helicopter mom and not caring enough. It's hard for me to see her grow up so fast, but I know that she is an individual person and needs to grow up and be independent. Just take a few deep breathes and relax!

[91004]

OCD I have the same problem my children sleep in my room for that reason. Ask your doc he can problly help you

[Sarah1013]

sorry its taken me so long to respond.

91004, what did your dr say?

[Victoria01]

I think while some anxiety over your child's safety is very normal, it seems yours might be a little more. I would speak to your doctor or a therapist about it and see what they have to say.