I remember the first time I named that I had anxiety.
I was 3 months postpartum with Eliza and the wired/tired feeling wasn’t going away. I’d wander around the house at night, my baby finally blissfully asleep, but I’d be restless.
(And yes, I’ve gotten support in the 25 years since then, and I’m doing great).
For Eliza though she got to know ‘the anxiety creature’ as she calls it, much earlier: her anxiety symptoms began when she was a preteen, and intensified when she was in college.
I know she’s not alone.
So many mamas in our community write in about supporting their precious girls with anxiety (and how it’s different than weathering the ups and downs of a ‘teen tantrum’ or the emotional intensity of a preteen moment!).
So, I asked my favorite human of all time, my daughter Eliza, to come back on We Thrive TV to talk to me about how you, mama, can support your girl with anxiety (and that includes supporting yourself).
Click below to listen in to the newest episode of We Thrive TV, get actionable steps, and get nourished.
Love,
Sil
P.S. Forward this video to a mama who’s dancing with anxiety. Because sharing is caring, and everyone could use a stronger bond.
Great job, ladies! Daughters & I experience anxiety. I particularly like the idea of coming up with our own list of what we can do if experiencing anxiety (since we are unable to conjure up those tactics in those moments) and suggested it to my family by sending this this list to my kids and husband, saying that “it has great ideas for dealing with depression and anxiety, or even when you’re just feeling like poop. I think it helps to come up with our own lists so we have something to draw on that might interest ourselves in those times of need.”
https://themighty.com/2017/03/cheap-self-care-affordable/?utm_source=engagement_bar&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email_share
Another time, I had sent them this chart, saying, “I like this chart for a reminder of what you can do when feeling nervous/anxious (or any intense negative emotion that you don’t want to feel!). Further explained if you care to read: http://www.tothegrowlery.com/blog/2017/4/18/six-different-types-of-grounding-exercises-for-anxiety-intense-emotions
And, yes, of course we talk about it….will do that with Kat later today!…it’s not just me emailing them stuff! Good to know there are resources out there!! Thanks!
Thank you Michele. Such great links you have shared with us. Particularly love the chart of six different types of grounding exercises for anxiety and intense emotions. So useful! Thanks so much! Hugs
This has come up recently as a renewed issue for my wonderful daughter. Yesterday she asked to take a walk and she told me all of the reasons she feels anxious and also just down. I tried not to offer advice, as much as just listened. I think it helped a little. After watching this video, I’d like to try to model some of the strategies for my own anxiety with her this week. Specifically, orienting ourselves and making the “to do” list of what to do when we’re anxious. This video was so helpful!
Thanks Aviva. It makes such a difference to our daughter’s if we too are healing our anxiety. Talking about healing the motherline! xo
This was SO good! I almost cried at minute 21. I had a bit of a revelation about my daughter’s anxiety, and my own, when I looked back a generation to my father, who was totally Mr Chronos! He bent my mother, and then me, to his own fast paced schedule. I remember him shouting “5 minutes!!!” and then “3 minutes!!!!” etc. when it was time to go out, and we all rushed and panicked lest we miss the “deadline” and get him mad. And I became my Dad…wow. Lots of thinking to do. And so helpful to understand that my daughter’s anxiety is actually part her attempt to break the cycle, her own inner compass (or time piece!) resisting the hectic schedule I thought was “natural”. I see this in a new light now, but it will take a lot to fully process. Thank you both.
Wow Rebecca. Awesome realization. It is fascinating about Kairos vs Chronos time, isn’t it? So thrilled to hear that you had this AHA at minute 21. It can change everything to shift your awareness in this way. Hugs