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Anxious and Uptight Parenting

By Tyler ⋅ October 30, 2007 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

I’ve come to the sad realization that I’m an uptight and anxious [tag]parent[/tag]. Don’t really know why - I just am. Since I’ve been reading Stu’s books, and trying to be more of a leader and calm head-of-state, so to speak, I’ve started to notice how I react to certain situations. And most of the time, I become anxious and I’m sure it affects Olivia somehow.

It affects her because I could react to situations better and she would probably have more fun and be a less tense herself.

For example: Mandy and I took her to Zoo Boo at the [tag]Memphis[/tag] Zoo Saturday night. It was PACKED! There were people running around everywhere and it was dark by the time we got there. Not the place to just let a 2-year old have free reign.It was fun for Olivia but she could have had more fun if Mandy and I weren’t so uptight and anxious. We didn’t even want to let her out of her stroller.

Even when we got to the Dracula Disco, we were hesitant to let her out so she could dance. We eventually did because EVERY other kid was running around and Livi started to get frustrated. After she got out, she had a ball. She danced, jumped, ran around and wore herself out. And no one in a creepy mask snatched her up and ran off into a dark part of the zoo. Seriously - we had that thought in our head the whole time.

I wouldn’t call it a disorder, but maybe it’s time for some Zoloft or some Paxil. I really need to learn to relax around her and be a better [tag]parent[/tag]. I don’t want her to grow up as anxious as I am. And I don’t want to live the rest of my life so uptight.

Anyone else feel this way? Surely I’m not the only parent that feels this way.

–TW

Tags: , dad, daughter, family, father, life, memphis, parenting