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Fear
Monday, September 20, 2010 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Have you experienced those first days with your newborn? (Not yet? Good for you in finding www.planningfamily.com! You're going to be a prepared mama/daddy!).
The day I brought our little girl home was quite sometime ago, but I remember it so vividly. My hubby and I were mesmerized. She was so tiny (okay, she was 9lbs. 4oz., not THAT tiny
). We carried her into our home and were on our own. She slept peacefully (well, at least for the first few minutes of arriving home - LOL!). We placed her into her crib. My hubby encouraged me to get some sleep too. We walked out of her room, baby monitor turned to the loudest volume it could go.
A few minutes later, I crept back into her room and curled up on the floor. I wanted to listen to her breathe. I wanted to make sure she was okay. Within a couple of minutes, the hubby peeked into her room too. We had to laugh as we caught each other sneaking around in order to keep an eye on our most precious treasure. We ended up both sitting down on the floor of her room to listen and watch.
There are some things you can control. There are some things you cannot.
Parenthood is one of the first times in my life when I've developed fear about those things that I cannot control.
Over the first few days of having her home, I began to gain confidence that my little girl would be okay. All signs pointed to typical newborn development.
So, what should we REALLY fear as parents? Recently, I came across this article via NPR: www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/08/30/129531631/5-worries-parents-should-drop-and-5-they-should.
It put in perspective where I spend my time worrying. When it comes to a developing child, there are things you can do (i.e. ensure your car seat is installed properly) and there are things you simply need to let go of.
If you find yourself overwhelmed or consumed by fear, talk to someone. Chances are, you will find that most parents out there are worry warts at one time or another too. I think it's part of the *job description.*
When it comes to your child, what's worrying you?
