When I was in elementary school, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to get the rocks out of my pink jelly shoes. Remember those jelly shoes? How annoying was that when little rocks would get stuck in holes of the heel? I also worried that I might lose my sparkly matching jelly bracelets, too. I think I had one of those in every color.
By the time I got to high school, I worried that my hair wasn’t perfectly sculpted everyday (yes, about five inches from my forehead using about one gallon of hairspray with each application). I worried about wearing the right clothes, applying the appropriate make-up, and hanging out with the right “clique.”
How silly do those worries seem to me now?
Back then, that was my whole world. But now that I am a mother, my worries are far more real than rocks in my jellies.
As a mother, I worry that my son might choke. We are talking about a life-threatening situation. To this day, I don’t let him eat small hard candies. He will be like 18 before he does and even then, he better not do it in front of me. Hotdogs? Forget it. I get heart palpitations. Those things need to be cut length-wise and I still panic every time he eats one.
As a mother, I worry that my kids could potentially drown in our pool. Do I have issues? Am I over-reacting? Maybe, but even though my son wears his vest and my daughter uses her little float, they still cannot swim on their own. I worry that one false move and we’re in deep water…literally.
As a mother, I worry that my son may go into anaphylactic shock. He has a severe nut allergy, so I must read every label on every package of every piece of food he consumes. And Theta Moms, if you remember from a previous post, I am the queen of cutting and dumping, so you better believe that I need to read the fine print on every single package without fail or else it’s Epi-Pen city and I am dialing 9-1-1.
As a mother, I worry as my children grow older that I did a good enough job, raising honest and caring human beings, making the world a better place than the way they entered it. I hope that one day they may get into the college of their choice, that they find the love of their life, and are able to create a family of their own.
As a mother, I worry and hope that they fulfill all of their wildest dreams….every single one. I worry and hope that when they leave this earth, they lived a full and blessed life.
As a mother, I worry about so many things…more than I could ever possibly express here in this little blog of mine.
Rocks in my jellies, well, they don’t quite make the list anymore.
Hi Theta Mom! I've cruised your blog before but now after reading your mission and your about me I think I might have to declare myself your new fan.
I also love and hate this post. Love it because of course every mother can relate. Hate it because now you've reminded me of how much I worry! I had a rare moment of quite bliss and then read this and had to go make sure he was still breathing in his cot!
I look forward to getting to know you better!
I worry about everything about my children, too. These are very rational fears you have, especially about your son's nut allergy. That is scary. I think the fear and worry we have as moms is never going to go away. There is always and there will always be something to worry about.
I totally understand worrying like that. My hubby calls me the queen of worry but he can get like that too. When we brought Lucy home from the hospital we were so scared she would stop breathing in the middle night that we kept the closet light shining on her all night so we could see her chest rise and fall. That wasn't enough so we started sleeping in shifts and someone was always holding her while she slept.
Our worries are different now, but still over her well being and if we're taking good enough care of her.
It is so good to hear that I am not the only one living in paranois city ever since Sophia was born!
I am working on a similar post but what's the point? I could just sign my name to yours… you have conveyed my feelings exactly!
http://www.thewannabewahm.com
Sometimes I forget how important the worries are for little people. I get too wrapped up in my "adult" concerns. I am taking this as a reminder to be more compassionate with my 4 yo when she gets upset about her shoes, outfit or games not being right. Instead of being dismissive I am going to try to be supportive!
to only have to worry about how high the bangs can be sprayed once again would be a vacation from daily life wouldn't it? loved this blog!
Fill all their dreams…every single one…loved it!
You are a good mama.
man isn't that just the truth!! i remember the days of stressing about whether or not someone had the same prom dress as me…and i thought that was a big deal! if i only knew…i can't imagine how much more time i would have if i DIDNT worry!
I don't think us mothers ever stop worrying! I worried about my kids being in high school when they were 2. Now I have so many more worries now that I have two in high school.
My kids are not allowed to eat if they are alone in a room!
The worries will never end will they?
i couldnt agree w/ you more! I look back to the things I used to worry about and actually laugh about it – how could I have thought that those things were really what mattered? It's crazy too b/c so many moms I kjnow that have older kids always tell me that I will look back to the baby years and laugh about how worried I would get over things (like the first time my oldest got a fever, or the 1st time he caught a stomach bug, etc).
its crazy isnt it to compare the worries we have now to the minor worries then. thats motherhood for you
Sometimes I think the best worrier's are the best mamma's. Although, doesn't everything always somehow work out!!
Nice post!
awesome post – i'm not a mom yet but i can only imagine how hard it must be. i already am a major worrier so it is only going to get worse with motherhood!
Dang…I'd forgotten about jellies…I loved those darn things…and the plastic mesh like bags and all the neon clothing…and the jelly bracelets (I wasn't allowed to have the black ones because Madonna wore them) and the big bangs and all that. Too funny!
And I'm even more paranoid than you…lengthwise on a hot dog still isn't small enough for me with my kids. It's nice to meet another super paranoid mom!
I know how it goes.
I'm always paranoid about my kids. I still check in on them to make sure they are breathing before I head off to bed.
Rocks in my jellies…this brought back memories.
LOVE this post Theta Mom!
We Moms will drive ourselves crazy assuring our babies (even when they are 35) are safe.
I also remember the silly worries I had when I was a teen, my hair and clothes all had to be perfect especially because I was one of the "popular" kids.
Our children will go through the same worries as we did. It's our job to understand how it feels.
You are a wonderful mommy, I love reading your blog. : )
I am guessing that the onset of my gray hair at 25 coincides with the onset of having children. Four kids and 469 bottles of hair dye later…..
My only comfort is that I believe that my children are really God's children and He has given them to me to care for right now. I have to believe and trust that He is also watching over them (and me) all the time too and keeping them as safe as possible. After all, who is a better Guardian than Him?
great post!
peace~
*~Michelle~*
I just had a baby 6 months ago and I've never known worry like I now know. He is so innocent and dependent on me. The smallest things that I never thought twice about now run through my mind like they are hand grenades! Now i can see why my mom made such a fuss over my brother and I when we were children.
Some of my mom friends would think I was silly for cutting up hot dogs into little half circles, and nuts for cutting up grapes! But seriously, why would you chance it? I even get nervous about those little dum dum lollipops.
oh I am so afraid that a stranger would hurt/take my children. I hate that the kids even want to leave the house, LOL.
hugs from one M to another.
My Dad always says I worry just like my Mother…it's so true. Can't imagine having a child with a severe allergy though…yikes!
i so so relate
this is part and arcel of motherhood.
thanks for your continued support.
i appreciate it very very much..
shraddha
girl you know i am the same way.. i worry about everything too… I love that we are soo alike.. i too had pink jellies…love tham still
I certainly do remember the Jellies! Now it is my sons Crocs that get rocks in them. I am so glad to know I am not the only worry wart in the world! I worry about all those things too. I didn't even feed my son peanut butter until 18mo. The first time he tasted it, we were in the Dr. office so that if he had an allergy to it, I would be in the right place. I think worrying is a sign of caring about someone. So I say worry on Theta Mom! Just don't forget to enjoy them along the way
Oh my Mommy.. you are SO normal. Don't forget popcorn. I tend to "hover" when my kids eat "pop-pop". And I strictly forbid eating popcorn and walking (or talking or laughing) or anything that might induce choking.
Seriously.
I am an uber-spaz Mothers.
I gotta check into this Theta Mom thing!
p.s Thanks for stopping by my blog!
OMG don't even get me started on this subject. I'm a huge worry wart and look at every stranger like they could hurt my kids.
Motherhood brings out the worriers in all of us. I am shocked everyday about all of the little (and not so little) things I worry about in regards to my son. I have even been called an "over paranoid first-time mommy"!
Loved my jelly shoes… brings a smile to my face thinking back to those days!
I worry about everything! I was never a worrier before kids, either. Crazy what this thing called motherhood does to you.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
You wouldn't be a mom if you didn't worry. I agree about looking back to what I worried about when I was younger to what I worry about now as a mom. It's still good for a laugh, though!
Yes, we used to think we had it hard dealing with hair, outfits etc. But it all changes dramatically when you have little ones to look after (even when they become big!)
Those worries are so valid. There was once when one of my nephews nearly choked on egg. And when they were younger, my sister cut their veggies and meat to small pieces so that it would make it easier for them to swallow. When she gave them fishes, she has to make sure that there were no bones insides. But there were a few times when she missed one or two and the two boys were smart enough not to swallow on them and removed the bones from their mouth. This was certainly not the kind of risk that we would want to take.
Now that they are bigger, 3 going to 4, my sister still cut their veggies and meat to smaller pieces and they are no longer fed but they are eating their meals on their own now. But there are new sets of things to worry about. It is a never ending story.
Oh how I miss my jellies! They were amazing and so cute!
I hear you I'm always worrying about the boys they are accident prone have never met a wall or cement they didn't think their head needed to meet! UGH
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and being my #200, I'm so excited! You're blog is so cute, I grabbed all the buttons ;).
Ok I just have to end with my word verification is ducks!! Really?? LOL
Wow, this post was a bulls-eye! My own personal motto is "I'm a worrier…it's what I do". There will always be something to worry about, so I try not to let it take over.
Ah, yes. I am a crazy worrier. And I can definitely relate to the choking fears. We're in the teething phase (no teeth yet!) and the teething biscuits scare me beyond belief! I watch like a hawk, perched right in front of his high chair and the second he bites a piece off, I dig in his mouth, pull it out and that's the end of the story.
You sound like an AMAZING mama! Keep up the good work!
I can completely relate to this post. I never had anxiety until I became a mom. Now, all I do is worry about keeping my kids safe!
I worry so much about everything too. Silly things! What is it about being a mom that makes you think about the absolute worst possible thing that could happen in any given situation? I don’t know about you, but I also worry just as much about something happening to me because I can’t imagine my son growing up without me. Ok…starting to have heart palpitations now!
.-= The Mommyologist´s last blog ..My Very First Giveaway! =-.
So true, the worry is so painful at times. I wrote about a similar feeling I think you can relate to Theta Mom http://mommyfriend.com/2010/01/05/thsi-heart-of-mine.aspx
Our heart breaks and overflows with love for our children, only moms can really understand.
Catching up on all your archive posts, just love you Theta Mom!