Worry and anxiety are part of being a parent. There are so many things to worry about, is this rash serious, is my child’s behavior normal, is she learning at an appropriate rate, does she eat enough. The list goes on and on, when you are a single parent there are a few more worries to add to the list.
How will it affect my child growing up in a single parent home? Who will help me when I’m sick? Where is the money coming from for braces? And that is just the tip of the iceberg. At times life can be overwhelming but it is important that you not let it get the best of you. If you allow it, worry and anxiety will take over your life and interfere with all of your relationships, including the one with your children.
Worry is a waste of time and energy, all the worry in the world will not solve a problem, or make it go away. All worry does is rob this minute of joy, it’s impossible to be joyful when you are overwhelmed with worry. My mantra has become- in five years will this matter? Will I even remember? Sometimes looking down the road helps put things in perspective.
Instead of letting worry and anxiety destroy your joy and motivation, focus only on solutions. Instead of worrying, brainstorm, make a list of all the ways you can solve this problem, no matter how outrageous, like winning the lottery. Get your kids involved, you don’t have to transfer the worry to them just put the problem in simple terms and tell them to put on their thinking caps. If you need money to fix the car, have them brainstorm ways to make extra money. Some will be silly but you just might find something you can work with in there. Never underestimate the power of a child’s vision.
Finally you really have to live in the here and now, not what might happen. You can’t enjoy your life and your children if you are not present, so make the choice to be present, every day of your life.
Have faith that things will turn out the way they are supposed to. Do your part to solve a problem but ultimately you have to let go. Things usually work out for the best so trust and have faith.