Q: Since I have become a mother, I agonize about keeping my child safe. I dont mean from bumps and bruises and life circumstance; but from catastrophic events and tradgedy. Anytime I see a movie where a child is in danger or in fear I lose it! The movie 2012 sent me into hysterics (thinking about protecting my child or confronting death in a scenario like that - the scene where the parents where holding eachother and their son while anticipating the tidal wave). it may sound ridiculous - but i am truly more aware than ever of my mortality and being scared for the well being of my son. When ever i hear a baby cry or see a child afraid it kills me - i'm so sentient these days i feel like i'm losing my mind... Posted 1/6/2010 by Isa20

A: Posted 1/8/2010 by JessicaLeoLMSW

You don't sound ridiculous!  It is perfectly natural to feel the need to protect your child!  It is an instinct and I would be more concerned if you were not worried at all.  The trick is to control your fear so that you are not instilling them within your child.  If you show him that you are fearful of (fill in the blank) he will learn to have those feelings as well.  Take a deep breath and center yourself - There is no sense worrying yourself into a frantic state about things that you cannot control (I'll use your example of a 2012 cataclysmic event)...if it never happens (chances are good) you will have spent all of your energy on worrying about the what ifs when you could have been enjoying your child.  I understand what it feels like to want to protect your child (and others around you) - it is part of being an empathetic, caring human being - and thank goodness for people like you! Don't be so hard on yourself and if you feel like you have to do something, then focus on a solution and prepare.  If you are worried about a crisis - then perhaps prepare a 72 hour emergency preparedness kit, plan a meeting place in the event of an emergency, etc.  It is better to be proactive and feel like you are prepared than to just think about a crisis and worry.  Once you have done everything you can - your time will be better spent loving your child and spending quality time with him.