Don’t Judge A Book…

• I do not let my children ride in a car with anyone other than myself or their dad.
• I do not let my children spend the night away from home.
• I am very strict about what they eat.
• I make their food.
• If they are staying at their grandma’s for a couple of hours, I pack their food and take it.
• I do not like to leave my children for more than a few hours.
• I do not let people give my kids any food/sweets without my approval.
• I keep my children on a schedule.

Now that you have read that list, what do you think of me? What words would you use to describe me? Obsessive? Controlling? Nuts?

Now, read the following and see if it changes your mind.

My kids do not ride with anyone else because, as their parent, I feel responsible for their safety. What if the person they are with does not know how to buckle them in their car seat correctly? What if they are a distracted driver?

My children do not spend the night away from home because I am afraid that who they stay with will not watch them close enough. What if they get sick and no one bothers to tell me? What if they get hurt?

I make their food because I believe a healthy diet helps to keep my children healthy. I am afraid that too much sugar will cause them to not eat well anymore. I am also afraid that too much sugar can weaken their immune system.

I keep my children on a schedule because they thrive on their schedules! The moment something happens, and their schedule is off, even just a little bit, they turn into grumpy, fit-throwing goblins.

I did not choose to be this way. I have Postpartum Anxiety. The moment I brought my daughter home from the hospital I knew something was wrong. I struggle with constantly trying to keep my children safe and healthy. I am not posting this for sympathy. I am posting this for awareness. So, before you are quick to call a mom controlling, crazy, or obsessive, try to understand that she may be dealing with something that you know nothing about. Maybe she is just doing what she thinks will keep her children safe.