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.
Motherhood makes worriers out of us all. I think it's part of the job description. We'll always worry, but knowing when to let go (while still worrying) is the big challenge.
I worry about the same things. Particularly the choking. Whenever we sit down to eat, the first thing I say is, "Make sure you chew and chew it well!".
I'm more of a macro-worrier: will they be kidnapped, will I forget one of them in the car, will I be gunned down at the gym one day by some loser who couldn't find a date? If we had a pool, I'd probably be freaky about that, too.
I think it is loving and healthy to worry as long as it does not hinder our children from having a full life and a happy childhood with an appropriate degree of 'risk' and 'freedom'. I think we can also endanger our children if we shelter them too much as then they are not properly prepared when they do face an unsafe situation, not knowing how to recognise danger or how to respond.
It is all about trusting our instincts, I love the saying about how having a child is like walking around with your heart outside your body.
Christie
http://childhood101.blogspot.com/
It's all so relative. While the "worries" may not get less important as a mother…they will ultimately change in form as our children get older.
What she said above me…..that about sums it up. But I have one bit of advice: Don't worry TOO much. That'll carry over to your kids and they can sense anxiety. Relax, and take it one day at a time.
I have a lot of the same worries, however I am actually learning to deal with them b/c I was causing my oldest son to have anxiety problems from all of my worries. He is doing much better now that I'm doing better.
Heather i have gotten over hot dogs because hey – its summer and the kids cant starve and they dont melt. However, looking at the world around us i do constantly worry about raising them right and being proud of the people i send out into the world. My friend is a sponsor every year of a Navy plebe (first year) at the naval academy. We had lunch with him and her family yesterday and he is so serious about naking a difference, about respect, about living a good life. His parents did something right! P.s. Sophie wants jellies so badly. She gets 5 minutes when we go to target to try them on.
Being a mom, I have turned OCD! Over everything, friends, food, strangers, neighborhoods, you name it..I obsess over it.
and the worst of it all.. I always think.. what if?!
Oh…the worries I have. The list is just too long. My kids are 7 1/2 years apart so it's two different sets of worries altogether. My son is starting high school in 4 days… my worries are getting ready to skyrocket:)
Thanks for a laugh reading about big hair. I would not have made it through without my can of Stiff Stuff hairspray.
It's amazing how priorities change when the first little being leaves the womb and is in our arms.
Great post.
I think this post just about says it all and, as far as I can tell, the worrying never seems to stop.
Once I got past the SIDS and the choking, I've moved on to worrying about the impact everything we do and everyone we meet will have on my girls. What if that kid is mean? Will it damage their self-esteem? What if my reaction to the jerk cutting me off stays with her and she thinks it is okay to yell at people? The list is endless.
I agree about those jellies though, they were definitely the thing to have back in school. And the big hair. I had a friend who had the best bangs ever and I was always jealous.
I love the way you compared your worries now to when you were young. Those worries in the past don't seem all that important now.
I worry about the same thing. I always say I never understood my mother's overprotective nature until I became a mother myself.
LOL I remember the jelly shoes and the bracelets. I hated the rocks in the heals. I have to say I worry about things too with my kids. I don't think it's being paranoid I think it's being a mom.
I *loved* my jelly shoes! I remember sitting with little sticks for hours trying to get those damn rocks out.
I think it's natural for us mom's to worry. We all do. I worry about all the same things you do. I also worry about someone hurting my kids. I won't even let my son go to the bathroom alone at church!
From one worry wart to another: It's okay. Embrace the worry. It's part of what makes us awesome (and authentic) mom's.
I so had those shoes. Being a Mother is the best job but you do have so much more to worry about. Have a great Sunday..
I think my middle name is "worry". It sure does make for some stressful times!
I thnk you said it perfect…Mom and worry go together…..I remember a wise woman saying to me "There is always something and there ALWAYS will be" something to worry about…
You're so right! Sometimes I wish for the days when I worried about my bangs (the bigger the better!) and jellies!
The fear that comes with being a mom is huge, if you think about it, you could potentially never leave your bedroom.
BUT – the love and experiences you can do over with your kids from your own childhood are so worth it!
Macey
Thanks for the flashback. I too stressed about the rocks in my jellies.
I think worrying is just a big part of being a Mommy, a GOOD Mommy. I stressed about the hotdog thing for the last oh 10 years. Split those things down the middle and watched them like hawks. Now that my oldest is 10 I have traded that fear for bullies and the "right" peer group. Doesn't mean I still don't watch out for those hotdogs thoough. That's my job!!
Your entire post? YOU AND ME BOTH, SISTER! LOL! Although, I do let my son eat hot dogs, but I cut them down so fine, it's basically hot dog soup. 😉
Yes, motherhood can bring out our worst fears, can't it? You have this little person you love so much. As they get older, I hate to tell you, it gets harder. They begin to make their own choices and you can't do much about it. You can't be everywhere and protect them from everything. I pray alot these days. A lot.
Loved this post … so relateable!
Motherhood's made a worrier out of me, too.
It makes me nostalgic for when all I had to worry about was finding the right colours for my friendship bracelets.
My absolute biggest worry: what have I gotten myself into? Because I've willingly brought two people into my life who I now can never live without.
Motherhood can be a scary, scary thing, but, as cliche as it sounds, every minute of fear and worry is absolutely worth it.
So true! As a mom, I worry so much! I'm a "germaphobe," so I cringe, every time I see a kid a daycare..grabbing my son's passie and put it in her mouth. I am dreading potty training and public toilets.
OMG yes rocks in my jellies and making sure I had the right matching color of double socks all scrunched over my skinny jeans that were rolled.
Oh how our worries change. I know how hard it is to let go and try not to worry so much, but good to know we do worry, shows WE ARE good Mom's that love and care for our children. Most moms just say "Eh, whatever."
Great post my friend. BRAVO!
I am a worrier as well. But I think it's a healthy thing to want to keep your kids safe.
I remember those jelly shoes AND the rocks that got stuck in them.
You will never stop worrying, no matter what age they are. That's what makes a good mother and you are one of them.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to keep your kids safe. You know best so don't feel guilty.
Oh yes, the 80's and jelly shoes and big bangs. I had them all. I used to hate it when the wind blew…afraid it would ruin my hairsprayed bangs. Now, i too worry about my son choking. He just turned one and he is still eating baby food b/c I am so freaked about him choking on table food. He's my first, so that's my excuse. I'm a new mom.
I think the fact that you do worry about them is what makes you a good mom. Your children will turn out fine because of you, not despite you.
LOl oh man jelly shoes and the aquanet hair spray. I was just talking about that last week.
I am so glad I am not the only one. I worry about every little thing and if I read an article oh boy watch out something new for me to worry about. Oh how I miss those days of not giving a care in the world LOL..
Yeah, def a lot more worries as a mom! And my worries are even stronger since losing our daughter in March. But I know the Lord has control even when I don't. It's amazing how the things we used to worry about seem so insignificant.
And thank you for stopping by my blog. You've gained one too! 😉
I agree…the things that used to worry or concern me seem so small now. Being a parent is a huge responsibility!
I so know what you are saying. My activity was so often routed by fear for my children.
But I am getting a stack more freedom; not because I'm getting slack but because I've learnt that the kids live and thrive not because of me but inspite of me.
Oh, I enjoy them so much more now too.
I remember "Jelly Shoes" (we must be around the same age :o) I also remember clogs-they were out the same time Jellies were, remember? Oh to be young(er) again, when the most important thing was how high is my hair. I have four kids, I can relate to everything you said-except for the hotdog,I never cut it length wise!
I worried, worried, worried from day one to the present and you know what, my kids are turning out to be everything I had hoped for them and more.
But, if we stop worrying, we stop tuning in…so I wouldn't have done it any other way.
Thanks for following my blog. I have something for you on my blog..
no kidding! I have one allergy kid – apparently he is also allergic to shell fish. We had shrimp last night, actually it was shrimp (freshly caught in S.C.) in alfredo sauce over noodles. I didn't read the alfredo sauce jar (he is 7 and I'm getting lax I guess) and there were eggs. He is allergic to eggs but not in the deathly category – anyway. He ended up tossing his dinner back up in the toilet. ARGH! Who knew? Like I said – we think it is the shrimp. It is probably time to retest (he was 18 months when they tested. His skin was SO bad that they tested early even though they said it wouldn't be accurate) I'll be making that appointment as soon as I get home.
And the pool -OMG don't get me started. I remember clear as day the day my sister almost drowned. We had this little wind up toys that looked like they were swimming and we were floating them in the pool (even though we were not supposed to be near it) and she reached over and fell in… and her little blonde head was floating at surface level but she was only three and couldn't pick it up so she was dog paddling under water and I (all of 5 years old) went running for my mom who did this amazing flying leap out the back door into the pool and …. okay. I need a glass of wine
Jelly Shoes! I probably had the same pink sparkly pair as you(and clear, and purple!)..and I was always picking rocks out of the heels also! Strange how such an innocent thing in our day can't be worn in my daughter's middle school today. They might be "gang related", like the jelly bracelets, and the headbands, and colored belts, and the list goes on. I do wish for simpler days…where kids could be kids and have fun doing kid things, like sharing jelly bracelets with their friends at school!
Oh yes, girlfriend….same worries over here 😉
I'm a fantastic worrier. So good at it. I worry about everything from slipping on a wet floor to bumping her head at the playground to newly appearing allergies (we have a nut allergy/epi-pen situation here, too) I have no guilt or shame about it. Everyone thinks I worry too much, and I'll tell them to MYOB over and over…
I think that comes w/ the territory of being a mom, huh??? I hate when I think of the worst possible situation happening when they're not with me!!!
I worry just the same. wonderfully written.
You are not alone – I am a totally worry wart when it comes to my kids. I have this weird fear that I am going to drop one of them over the banister in our house so I always carry them on the opposite hip as the staircase. They would have to basically jump out of my arms and over the banister like superman, but yet, I think about it all the time.
I can't imagine what it would be like to have a child with a peanut allergy, I hope I never have to find out. I would stress about that ALL THE TIME.
Hi!! You are my newest follower and I want to say thank you!! Also thank you for the sweet comment on my blog! I look forward to getting to know you better!! Your blog is adorable!! I love the colors!!
I know what you mean…things that used to be SUCH a big deal seem so meaningless now!
Well, I gotta tell you, my son choked on a crinkle cut fry. Why in the h-e-double hockey sticks they would put those fat fries in Kid's cuisine meals I will never know. We are talking ER and all. With my first I was so so so crazy. A little better with K, but I am with you. I even have horrible visions of people breaking in and kidnapping them in the middle of the night. I already worry about the being bullied. It will never end I don't think.
Being a mom is the hardest job!
We will always worry about them no matter what age they are. This is a part of this huge responsibility, a part of being a mom. Wonderful post as always!
This post is great. I can really identify with this one…how different the things you worry about are when you have a child. Stop by my blog sometime. I featured you this week
I am such a worrier too!
Hi, stopping by from SITS! Have a great day!!
I can relate to so many of those feeling! Worrying about raising honest, compassionate, and independent adults pretty much tops my list.