Anxiety and parenthood

[ChestOfDrawers]

I have anxiety. It is worse recently. I know why and I am doing what I can to manage/ work on it. I have a young child so I don't have masses of time and space to do stuff like mindfulness or crafts or whatever.

Anyone have any ideas on how to do calming things with little one in tow?

And how to cope with the guilt :(

Thanks

Hi. I don't have any advice but just wanted to say I'm in the same boat as you. I have anxiety and OCD and have two young children.

I worry because my children see me do OCD compulsions. I worry that they'll grow up to be anxious like me.

Hi chest - you can actually be mindful/ do mindful activities with little ones. For example, you can play with them mindfully, in fact children are excellent mindfulness facilitators lol!
When you are caring for them, focus on your speech ( loving speech) listening well, the conversation, on the play, in an attentive and engaged , mindful way. Or being outside, in the fresh air, in the breeze, or cuddling your baby or little one. It's about being in the present moment, attentively. It's refreshing and relieves the mind. You don't have to push the difficult thoughts away, you can notice them, and resume being attentive and mindful.
It doesn't have to be a breathing , sitting practice.

Don't feel guilty , consider you are on a journey and path to wellbeing - nothing to feel guilty about :)