Mom Anxiety Is Real—Here’s How to Work Through It
In the wake of tragedy—like the recent floods here in Texas—it’s completely normal to feel heightened anxiety, especially as a mom. Whether it’s sending your child to a sleepover, letting them out of your sight in public, or simply allowing them to play outside, the "what ifs" can swirl fast and loud. And in today's world, where bad news reaches us instantly and constantly, those anxious thoughts can become relentless. The world feels heavy and unpredictable—and as moms, our instinct is to protect at all costs. That instinct is beautiful. But if we don’t learn how to regulate it, it can consume us.
Let’s start by normalizing mom anxiety.
You’re not alone. You're not broken. You're not "too much."
You're a mom. And biologically, you are hardwired to protect, prepare, and predict. These instincts are beautiful and powerful—but in today’s hyper-connected, fear-fueled world, they can morph into overwhelming anxiety if left unchecked.
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Why We’re So Anxious
Our nervous system is constantly being stimulated—sometimes even hijacked—by a 24/7 cycle of sad, scary, or disturbing information. Doom scrolling can give us the illusion of control or awareness, but it often reinforces the fear that something bad is always around the corner.
And when tragedy strikes close to home, like the recent floods that impacted so many families in our own backyard, it reactivates our deepest fear: What if it’s my family next?
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What You Can Do When Anxiety Hits
Instead of trying to “shut it down,” we need to honor our anxiety as a signal, not a stop sign. It’s our body’s alarm system, and sometimes it goes off just because we care deeply. The trick is learning to check in with that alarm and recalibrate, rather than letting it control our actions.
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Here are practical, simple steps to help regulate mom anxiety:
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1. Talk Yourself Through It
When an anxious thought arises, try using this self-talk structure:
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“I’m having an anxious thought.” → This creates space between you and the thought.
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“Is this thought rational, likely, or just fear talking?”
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“What’s in my control right now?”
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“How can I manage myself right now? With panic or peace?”
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“Even if something hard were to happen, I trust myself to respond with strength.”
These reminders can ground you and offer reassurance without pretending everything is fine.
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2. Practice Emotional Hygiene
Just like you brush your teeth and shower, your emotional well-being needs daily care too. Try focusing on some basics:
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Physical: Move your body, get quality sleep, drink water.
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Emotional: Journal, talk to a trusted friend, see a therapist.
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Social: Say yes to connection—even when it’s easier to isolate.
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Spiritual: Spend time in prayer, meditation, or nature.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Refilling it is not selfish—it’s essential.
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​3. Be Okay Not Always Feeling Okay
Anxiety doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It means you’re human in a complicated world. Take moments to breathe deeply, pause before reacting, and allow yourself to grieve the fact that parenting today carries fears we weren’t always prepared for.
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4. Letting Go (A Little Bit at a Time)
We will never feel completely safe letting our kids go into the world—because our love for them is fierce. But trusting that they are capable, that we’ve prepared them, and that we will be there for them no matter what—that is powerful.
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Letting go doesn’t mean we don’t care.
It means we are teaching them (and ourselves) how to live despite the fears.
