It is so easy to project our fears and insecurities onto our children. I’ve been catching myself doing this sort of thing where Abby clearly has no problem doing something but because I am afraid of it I limit her experience.

Herr are 3 simple steps I’ve been practicing to prevent this from happening:

1️⃣ Listen to yourself:
We need to have clear our own fears and recognize how they might be influencing our behavior and decision-making as a parent.
Something that helps me a lot is journaling after I realize I’ve done something like the story of the ride.
If you don’t seem to have any specific moment, journal about these questions: what are you most afraid of? how this might be affecting your child?
Awareness is the first step to breaking the pattern of projecting our fears onto your children.

2️⃣ Listen to your child:
Pay attention to your child’s interests and desires… Do you share the same fears or are they different? What is your child afraid of?
In this case, I noticed that the fear came from me, she clearly had zero concerns about going on the ride!
But it’s also important to see when they are afraid of something we are not!

3️⃣ Create a plan:
It is time to get practical!
The solution has to balances your concerns with your child’s needs and wants, and the best way to do this is with communication:
✅ Talk to them about your feelings and encourage them to talk about theirs.
✅ Is it a way where you can make sure your child is safe but still provide the opportunity for exploration and new experiences?
✅ Try to reframe negative thoughts into positive ones: what would be the benefit of letting them try this new thing?

💕 Remember: safety always comes first, but also, it is ok to allow children to have experiences and make their own mistakes. By doing this, we help them develop a sense of independence and confidence!

🔥 If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, please know that you’re not alone. Seeking professional help can make a huge difference in you and your family.