When you are a little kid goblins and ghosts come readily in your sleep. They represent the childhood fears lurking everywhere. Separation anxiety and darkness conjure up all kinds of scary thoughts that manifest into monsters. Growing up and becoming more aware of fiction versus reality helps the monsters fade into the woodwork. Nightlights are turned off and monster spray is discarded. But...
Growing up even more and becoming a parent brings back a lot of fear. At night the thoughts of bullying or disease wake you in the dark with a start. Tears of what if fill your eyes and catch in your throat. Monsters take a different form but are no less scary. What if my child doesn't have friends? What if my child can't learn to ride a bike or drive a car? Why is she squinting? Why is she sleepwalking? Being a parent is scary. Sometimes like a nightmare.
But...
Fear is necessary when you love someone the way you love your child. Worry is the nature of the monster. You want the best. You want complete happiness. You accept the fear for them so they can focus on the important things. The things that make childhood memories. Birthday parties and sleepover. Cookies after school and laughter in the dark.
1 comment:
This post 100% captures my past two weeks. I couldn't agree more. Worry is the fear itself
My grandma had 4 boys, one clearly being my dad, and she use to say how she'd always worry. People would say, you're worrying for nothing your family is healthy, all are well...and she use to in return say....well if all of my worrying keeps us safe and sound then I'll go right on and continue worrying.
Of course it sounded better out of her mouth but as mom's we can all relate.
Post a Comment