I can't send them back today

[mumof5cn]

I don't know if this is the right place to post?

So, my beautiful children returned back to school yesterday, I had mixed emotions all last week and the weekend about them going back but I don't think I realised to the extent I felt til they were gone yesterday.

All night I have l before tossing and turning thinking and worrying. I have got up this morning feeling totally overwhelmed and a feeling I've never felt before of dread, worry, a sick feeling and so tearful.....I can't send my babies back to school today. I can't let them go with the thoughts that it is still unsafe for them. They only have me, if I don't look out for them and keep them safe then who will

Are the vulnerable? If not, even if they get covid they probably won’t get more than a sniffle.

Kids need to be back in school and now is the right time.

No they are not. I don't know what is wrong with me. I know it's best for their well-being and education to be back in school but I have this almost impossible feeling to describe, I am feeling so so overwhelmed by it, I can feel it physically as well as emotionally.

I sound like a fruit loop - and I can even see that but there's an overwhelming part of me taking over

You can't wrap them up forever and by keeping them off you're putting your own anxieties on them, which in this instance is the more likely outcome than you not keeping them " safe".

This is about you and not them.

Phone your gp. You cannot let anxiety get out of control and impact your children.

@Butterfly44

This is about you and not them.

Yes!! I completely agree!! I'm just struggling and needed to let it out

I'm sorry you're feeling so shit OP, anxiety is horrible. But, as PP have said it is your anxiety that's skewing your perspective of the risk to your LOs. The chances of them getting covid or being very unwell are low and they need to be in school now.

@scaredsadandstuck

I'm sorry you're feeling so shit OP, anxiety is horrible. But, as PP have said it is your anxiety that's skewing your perspective of the risk to your LOs. The chances of them getting covid or being very unwell are low and they need to be in school now.

Is this what anxiety feels like? I am feeling physical emotions, it's absolutely awful!

Deep down I know it's best for them to be back in school with normality, stability and routine but these feelings I am feeling - well I don't even know how to describe it!

This is definitely anxiety

Let them go, you’ll see over time there is nothing to fear

You can’t let anxiety get in the way of what is best for your children. Speak to your
GP this morning if you can, and please be gentle with yourself

Keep it together for your kids, send them off with a smile and then speak with GP and get some help.

Yes, you sound anxious, feel anxious is awful but it can be overcome. I would give GP a call, they may be able to refer you for CBT which will help you deal with anxiety.

You could call the school for a prep talk. I’m a teacher and spoke to 6 families yesterday who hadn’t sent their children back in as were worried.

I also think it’s ‘normal’ to be anxious. We’ve been told on and off for a year now to stay home etc. They will be ingrained in everyone’s mind!

Yep anxiety is physical as well as emotional/mental. It's horrible and consuming. Can you take a few minutes to close your eyes and just focus on breathing slowly. If worrying thoughts come into your mind just focus back on your breathing. It might help you to feel calmer and get through the school run