I need to be more of a safety worrier

[Anonymous]

I’m naturally not a worrier about safety related things. I don’t know why, just always been that way. I’ve realized with my kids I need to be more conscious of it, but it just doesn’t occur to me and even less so for dh. For example we took first day of school pics that were cute and our first family photos since having a new baby so I made if my fb pic. Almost 6wks later it occurred to me that pic has my kids name and school name on it and I pulled it down. Most of it isn’t social media related, I don’t post much on sm, just using that as an example of how something obviously unsafe flies right by me.

Any ideas of how to be a little bit more of a worrier about my kids safety? And before I get trashed I’m in no way a neglectful parent, I’m very involved, worry about their mental well-being, their diets, their happiness etc etc etc - this is just a weird area I don’t have the natural alarm instincts and am more like an 80s safety mindset

[Anonymous]

You don’t need to be more of a worrier. Really, it’ll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Sure, your original photo posting wasn't best practice, but the chances of it leading to any danger were very, very slim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m naturally not a worrier about safety related things. I don’t know why, just always been that way. I’ve realized with my kids I need to be more conscious of it, but it just doesn’t occur to me and even less so for dh. For example we took first day of school pics that were cute and our first family photos since having a new baby so I made if my fb pic. Almost 6wks later it occurred to me that pic has my kids name and school name on it and I pulled it down. Most of it isn’t social media related, I don’t post much on sm, just using that as an example of how something obviously unsafe flies right by me.

Any ideas of how to be a little bit more of a worrier about my kids safety? And before I get trashed I’m in no way a neglectful parent, I’m very involved, worry about their mental well-being, their diets, their happiness etc etc etc - this is just a weird area I don’t have the natural alarm instincts and am more like an 80s safety mindset

No one is stealing your children because you posted a pic on FB. It seems that you have no clue what the true dangers are to your children:

1. Family members and close family friends
2. Not wearing a helmet
3. Not wearing seat belt
4. Pools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t need to be more of a worrier. Really, it’ll be fine.

+1

The world doesn't need more parenting anxiety.

[Anonymous]

80s mindset is way better. everything I’ve read supports that it was better for everyone, kids and parents. Please don’t try to make yourself be a worrier!! Your kids will be fine, great even. The only things you need to prevent are things that risk life and limb. Any other bumps, bruises, breaks, learning etc are worth it. Maybe read some books that will help you bolster your confidence in not being a worrier and why it can be good for kids. I’ll come back with some examples in a few I can’t remember off the top of my head.

[Anonymous]

Isn't your social media closed except to people you're friends with? And don't you know all those people well enough that you trust them to not steal your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:80s mindset is way better. everything I’ve read supports that it was better for everyone, kids and parents. Please don’t try to make yourself be a worrier!! Your kids will be fine, great even. The only things you need to prevent are things that risk life and limb. Any other bumps, bruises, breaks, learning etc are worth it. Maybe read some books that will help you bolster your confidence in not being a worrier and why it can be good for kids. I’ll come back with some examples in a few I can’t remember off the top of my head.

Ok for some reason names were escaping me - the gift of failure is one. Duct tape parenting is another not quite in the same vein but really encourages stepping back and encouraging independence. While trying to remind myself of the names of these I stumbled upon a book “idle parenting why laidback parents raise happier healthier kids” and I may have to try that one!

Plus the example you gave isn’t even really that much of a concern so are you sure you’re not a worrier? Certainly not best practice like someone mentioned but unlikely to actually cause an issue unless you’re like a social media influencer..

[Anonymous]

Don’t be a worrier. Be grateful you are not a worrier and less likely to pass your anxieties on. The nation is suffering an epidemic of anxiety.

Raise your kids to be tough and sensible.

As long as your kids are wearing seatbelts and helmets, learning to swim, eating healthfully, getting a lot of exercise, sleeping well every night, and learning to be grateful and hard-working, you’ve got nothing to worry about.

Blessing of a skinned knee is a good book about not over-parenting.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that's unsafe at all. I'm a huge worrier and I find things like that to be very very overblown. Nobody is trolling FB to kidnap your kids - there are easier ways.

Important things to worry about: vaccinations, regular dental check-ups, ensuring your kids know how to cross the street, safe bike riding, proper car seats, choking prevention, drowning prevention, get enough exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m naturally not a worrier about safety related things. I don’t know why, just always been that way. I’ve realized with my kids I need to be more conscious of it, but it just doesn’t occur to me and even less so for dh. For example we took first day of school pics that were cute and our first family photos since having a new baby so I made if my fb pic. Almost 6wks later it occurred to me that pic has my kids name and school name on it and I pulled it down. Most of it isn’t social media related, I don’t post much on sm, just using that as an example of how something obviously unsafe flies right by me.

Any ideas of how to be a little bit more of a worrier about my kids safety? And before I get trashed I’m in no way a neglectful parent, I’m very involved, worry about their mental well-being, their diets, their happiness etc etc etc - this is just a weird area I don’t have the natural alarm instincts and am more like an 80s safety mindset

No one is stealing your children because you posted a pic on FB. It seems that you have no clue what the true dangers are to your children:

1. Family members and close family friends
2. Not wearing a helmet
3. Not wearing seat belt
4. Pools

Unfortunately, guns is actually #1.

[Anonymous]

You’re fine. I’m too much of a worrier and I’m convinced I’ve done harm by it and made my child timid. If I could go back I would do things very differently.

[Anonymous]

Well today I told my kids to not dig through the food left behind by some raccoons or squirrels. Is that too anxious?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m naturally not a worrier about safety related things. I don’t know why, just always been that way. I’ve realized with my kids I need to be more conscious of it, but it just doesn’t occur to me and even less so for dh. For example we took first day of school pics that were cute and our first family photos since having a new baby so I made if my fb pic. Almost 6wks later it occurred to me that pic has my kids name and school name on it and I pulled it down. Most of it isn’t social media related, I don’t post much on sm, just using that as an example of how something obviously unsafe flies right by me.

Any ideas of how to be a little bit more of a worrier about my kids safety? And before I get trashed I’m in no way a neglectful parent, I’m very involved, worry about their mental well-being, their diets, their happiness etc etc etc - this is just a weird area I don’t have the natural alarm instincts and am more like an 80s safety mindset

No one is stealing your children because you posted a pic on FB. It seems that you have no clue what the true dangers are to your children:

1. Family members and close family friends
2. Not wearing a helmet
3. Not wearing seat belt
4. Pools

Unfortunately, guns is actually #1.

DP I think guns falls into “family members and friends” because criminal violence is extremely low in our area.

OP, add “guns” and “choking hazards like popcorn” to your list and let virtually everything else go. Having good digital hygiene for your kids is smart but if you routinely have them on your social media then that one photo isn’t making much of a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well today I told my kids to not dig through the food left behind by some raccoons or squirrels. Is that too anxious?

Why would your kid dig through garbage?