Are you an anxious mom? I AM!

I've always been somewhat of a tense person. I can remember as a kid, being nervous when the store store lights dimmed and closing time was approaching. I always wait for the 'walk' sign at a crosswalk. I guess one could describe me as cautious. Anyway, one of my challenges as a mother is trying to manage my anxious ways around my kids.

For example, we travel a lot and sometimes there are hiccups along the way. One time I ended up at the ticket counter in a heated debate regarding who messed up our travel reservations - me or the airlines (it was them). The argument ate up so much of our time to go through security and find our gate. We are a family of five so imagine the amount of electronics we need to fish out of our carry-ons - millennials with kids problems for sure! The fear of us missing the plane was in full effect every step I took to get to the gate. My chest got heavier with each bead of sweat that appeared on my face and my narrowed eyes probably scared the heck out of my children.

Thankfully my husband was with us that trip and he was able to distract them, so I could have my panic moment in peace. I think he took them to get snacks so I could reset. But, it's not always like that. There are trips where I go alone with the kids and shit goes haywire. I've managed to focus on my breathing, reminding myself that I'm prepared (I fully stock when traveling with my little ones), and just trying to focus on the pressing issue at hand instead of reminding myself of all the issues I have. Thankfully, my kids are pretty talkative and always interested in whatever is going on around us. Talking to them occupies the worrying part of my brain and it's also pretty entertaining.

I know 'breathing techniques' sounds crazy, but google it! It really does help. Sometimes I step outside for a change of scenery, if I can. I'm not a therapist or doctor, but I do know my experiences and the research I've done. Sometimes reading about another person's journey can help others.

When my kids get anxious or I sense them getting worked up over something, I tell them the same thing and I've explained to them that I have emotions that are so big sometimes, it makes it hard to think too. So far, the 10 year old can identify when he starts to get overwhelmed. I see him stop and try to collect himself - it makes me so happy! I wish I had those skills at 10! The 7 year old is a bit more - dramatic, but we're working through that. And the 4 year old is FEARLESS. I hope she continues to grow in her brave and outgoing personality, but also be a little more cautious - she's killing me with her love for flipping.

Motherhood is full of anxious-filled moments and early on I realized I've got to get my anxiousness under control. I'd drive myself mad if I had a meltdown every time there was some sort of adversity - I have three kids, remember? I'm not saying I don't have moments of hiding in my bathroom or a quick scream in a pillow, but I let it roll off my back. I've got to move on - these kids don't care about mommy's emotional stability, they want to go to Dave & Buster's (no, really, they don't care)!

I didn't come up with these coping mechanisms on my own. Below are a few links I visited while going down the 'how to cure your anxiety fast' rabbit hole while waiting to have a meeting with the school principal.

Simple ways to calm yourself

How to stop feeling anxious

I hope this helps!

-E.