To feel overwhelmed/ scared for the future

[mrsflowerpot2]

Hi.

I'm not really sure what I'm after I'm just wondering if it's normal to feel like this I guess - I have 2 very young DCS - a 2 year old and a new born (8 weeks). The last few weeks when I look at their sweet innocent little faces I just feel like crying, I almost feel guilty for bringing them into the world. I think because life just feels tough - so many people I know are going through tough times - illness, family conflict, financial worries, relationship problems. Everyone just seems stressed and worried and anxious. I look at my little ones and feel an overwhelming sense of almost paranoia that life will be hard for them too and I don't want it to be. I'm terrified of them being bullied at school, worried about their teenage years and what they might get up to, stressed that adulthood is so hard for so many and that they might struggle too. What if they get seriously ill or have an awful accident? Just everything, I find myself wondering if I've done the right thing bringing these lovely little people into a world that is not always that lovely.

I do think I may have post natal anxiety and am actually off to see health visitor this morning but I'm just wondering if anyone else has thoughts like this - is this just being a parent and naturally worrying for our children or is this something more? How do I stop myself from getting so down about this. I want to freeze time so they can just stay oblivious and innocent to the world forever

I am the exact same with my DD. She is now 8 and I still have the worry and anxiety.

I suffer from health and social anxiety and I worry what if my DD is bullied. I was bullied quite badly when I was at school and I have nightmares of flash backs and if the same would happen to her.

My daughter has a medical condition where she has a shunt in her head and I worry constantly in case she hurts her head. I feel incredibly guilty bring her in to this wrold where there is so many stabbings and terrorist attacks. I too wonder what she will get up to in her teenage years and if she will fall into the wrong crowd.

I think it's pretty normal to worry and be scared about the future of our children.
I also tell my DD to always be kind to people and treat others how she would be treated and to have morals and respect for themselves.

Sorry felt like I have rambled a bit.

I think many or most people have these thoughts at times. That's normal. However, if they are beginning to take over your thoughts/ life or make you change what you would normally do (cant go to the park in case x/y/z happens) then it's time to seek help.

I remember this feeling very well when ds was first born - for about the first 6 months of his life I worried about everything and was consumed with anxiety. I had post natal anxiety that bordered on PTSD ( traumatic birth, baby prem and in ICU). IT DID GET BETTER!

Some of your feelings are likely to be hormone related, some are just about being a mother and the lifetime anxiety that it will bring -( along with the lifetime of love a joy). My ds is 17 now and from time to time I still get anxious about the world he will become an adult in. But as pp said, it's important to distinguish if this anxiety is stopping you getting on wth ordnary life or enjoying your children. If it is - please see your GP.

Thanks everyone, I think maybe I need to just ride the storm and wait it out - I'm sure hormones are a big part to play as I vaguely remember this feeling from after DC1 was born and it did eventually fade it just seems to be consuming all my thoughts at the moment. I've worried about everything from not breastfeeding for long enough, to worrying about what they will be when they are older to worrying I've given them the wrong names (weird one that) to getting anxious about their health. I've given up talking to Dh and family about it as I'm sure they think I'm a paranoid mess (and maybe I am at the moment!)