How To Combat Mom Worry

Gosh, the worry comes so easy. I still remember the first ounce of mom worry I felt. I read the word “pregnant” on the pregnancy test and BAM, mom worry smacked me in the face. I rode roller coasters just days before, I wasn’t taking pre-natal vitamins yet, and I had no clue what I had been eating. The WORRY. And, wow, that was just the first minute. Google and I became BFFs all through my pregnancy and we might as well been married my first year of parenting Brooke. I worried about everything. Was my baby getting enough food? Is poop really suppose to be this color? How do I get throw up off of my favorite top? You get it.

And, I know I’m not alone. Mom worry and anxiety is SO REAL and SO BIG!! I swear sometimes I want to wrap Brooke and Baby Kevin up in bubble wrap. Some days, I feel like anxiety just creeps into every aspect of my motherhood. I feel like I worry about big things like tragic events in our world happening, to them driving one day, to them falling and a breaking a bone… and the list goes on and on. My mind will starting thinking and then the next thing I know i’m consumed with worry. You would think after two babies that I would be wiser and calmer (and I am to some extent). But, how do we handle this mamas? How do we combat this worry?

Trust The Lord

We trust the Lord. And that mamas, is easier said than done. God tells us “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” in Isaiah 43:1. When I start to be overcome with worry, I remind myself of my position in Christ. I remind myself that I am a child of God. I am HIS and he is “my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:2. 

He has taken care of my greatest worry in the life, my salvation. He has given me immense love and grace. He is good. He is faithful. He is true. I can trust him. He is my sustainer. I take a few minutes to remind myself of all of these truths. Bible verses really help me with this and help ground me with truth when my mind tries to overtake me.

Give Over Your Worries

Then, I give my worries to the Lord in prayer and sometimes even out loud. I confess to him that I am full of worry. I confess that I don’t have all of the answers and that makes me anxious. I confess that I don’t like feeling out of control. I can’t control my children’s lives. I can’t control their heart. I can’t control their safety. I can’t control it. I have to trust the Lord and lay this at his feet. This is extremely humbling and hard for me to do. God has given me my children as precious gifts to guide and grow. They are ultimately His. I wasn’t meant to carry this burden alone. You aren’t meant to carry this burden alone. Lay it at His feet.

Rest

Then, let your mind rest. Don’t pick up what you already laid at His feet. Laugh with your children. Enjoy your children. Find joy in your children. Let your mind focus on things above and positive things. It can help to get a few moments away for quiet time with the Lord or quiet time with yourself. It can also help to focus on task or think on past memories.

While these three things can really help combat mom worry, hear me when I say that some MOM WORRY IS VALID! I fully and highly believe in mothers intuition. I believe that you are your child’s advocate and you should fight for them when necessary. One of my biggest pieces of advice to new moms is that they will never be the perfect mom, but they are the perfect mom for their child. You know your children best. Trust your instinct.