How to Cope with Anxiety About Bringing a Child into a Violent World

by Shaina Feingold | Sep 6, 2022 | Postpartum Therapy

Watching the news can be quite distressing these days. There’s always something going on that makes us look at the world around us with fear and anxiety. It can make us wonder whether bringing a child into this world is worth it.

It’s normal to get anxious, but parenthood is a personal decision. The state of the world might be concerning, but even then, there’s nothing wrong with wanting children. Whether you’re already expecting or are planning to get pregnant, is it really surprising that you might be anxious about this? It’s possible to cope with the anxiety of bringing a child into a violent world, so here are a few tips to get you started.

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Be Kind to Yourself

The most important thing to keep in mind is that this is difficult, and you’ll need to be kind to yourself throughout this process. You need to take care of yourself and take all your needs into consideration. Engage in some self-care, maybe do fun and relaxing activities. Be patient with yourself when days are tough, and do your best not to judge yourself for the anxiety you may feel over this decision.

Consider Your Feelings

It’s important to identify your feelings. Sitting down and sorting through your feelings is good practice, and letting yourself feel is very much needed. You can keep a journal and write down your fears. This can help you see things a little clearer. If you can practice some mindfulness, then feel free to do so. It can help you feel grounded when the worries become too much to deal with.

Just remember that anxiety is normal. The world is dangerous and violent, and it makes sense that you’d be worried about your child’s future. But the world can be kind, too. It’s important to remember that while anxiety is normal and sometimes justified, it doesn’t always paint a complete picture.

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Limit Your Exposure to the News

It’s important to stay informed, but make sure not to overdo it. You can stay informed without doom-scrolling. Too much bad news will take a toll on your mental health and make you feel even more anxious. So, when you feel the news is starting to get to you, take a break. Put your phone down or turn the TV off. Do something you enjoy, something that helps you stay grounded.

Check Existing Precautions

If a particular issue worries you, it might be good to look around your community. Maybe there are community initiatives in place you can find out about. If not, then maybe there are some measures you can take to protect your family a little more. You might not be able to eradicate the issue, but maybe with some precautions, you can reassure yourself and make your surroundings just a little safer.

Reach Out to Others

Make sure you have a support system to reach out to. It can be family or friends; it can be support groups. When anxious, people sometimes tend to isolate themselves, but that’s usually counter-productive. Asking for help and talking to people about your feelings or fears can help you deal with them. And sometimes, it’s just nice to have someone you can rely on.

The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. If you think you might need more help managing this intense anxiety, then don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule an appointment. The world might be violent and dangerous, but it can be wonderful too. Together, we might be able to help you remember that, and we can help you be more confident in your decision to bring a child into this complex world.

To learn more about how Mindful Reflections can help, check out our Postpartum Therapy page.

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