I fear this is too good to last - is there something wrong with me

[Anonymous]

I am not an anxious person in general. But my DD is such a wonderful and sweet little girl who gives us so much joy that I fear it won’t last forever. Like somehow I’ll lose her to a terminal disease or something. I feel too lucky with her. Is this normal or something I should seek therapy for? FWIW I’m too busy to think about this often, it’s more like an occasional shower thought that makes me sad.

[Anonymous]

Does not sound normal to me. How often do you have these thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I have these thoughts and I have anxiety.

[Anonymous]

I don't think there'e anything wrong with you at all.

I think worry and anxiety are only worth "treating" if it's negatively affecting you or the people you love.

An occasional sad shower thought doesn't sound like that at all.

If you find yourself unable to clear your head of the thought, or making irrational decisions to keep her safe, then it's time to get treatment.

[Anonymous]

Brené Brown writes about this exact thing. She calls it “foreboding joy,” that sense of fear we have when it’s all so precious. Totally normal!
https://youtu.be/RKV0BWSPfOw

[Anonymous]

Yes! Watch Brené Brown’s show on Netflix! She talks about this exactly. You’re normal normal, OP.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you have an adorable daughter and you can hardly believe your luck

Try your best not to worry, only focus on the positive. Remember it's useless to dwell on things you have no control over.

[Anonymous]

Thanks All, I feel better. Will try not to dwell on it. Glad it’s not out of the realm of normal

[Anonymous]

Just remember that children are designed to push boundaries and (especially as teenagers) pull away from “the nest”—it’s biologically designed to help them become independent and be able to pull away from the comfort from home and grow up to be a competent adult. So your sweet girl will not always be sweet and compliant, and yes you should be on her about manners and kindness, but know that she will push and rebel in her own ways and that’s Normal and okay.

[Anonymous]

Don’t have another. Seriously. Lightening doesn’t strike the same place twice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just remember that children are designed to push boundaries and (especially as teenagers) pull away from “the nest”—it’s biologically designed to help them become independent and be able to pull away from the comfort from home and grow up to be a competent adult. So your sweet girl will not always be sweet and compliant, and yes you should be on her about manners and kindness, but know that she will push and rebel in her own ways and that’s Normal and okay.

I think this is a good reminder for parents of teenagers in the thick of it. It is a normal and necessary stage of life kind of like when the caterpillar goes inside the cocoon. It is a real mess in there but look what comes out!

[Anonymous]

I felt like this about my third child. She has always been the easiest, most delightful kid. She's now 10 and I worry less about her dying. it's sounds crazy but she's always been a magnetic kid. Loved by all. Very very easy going.

I have either two kids who i love just as much but they don't have this spark. i never had these thoughts of worrying that something was certainly going to happen to them.

[Anonymous]

I feel like this with my youngest as well. I blame it on movies/books. Every time a delightful character that everyone loves gets introduced, they seem to die. It doesn’t work like that in real life!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have these thoughts and I have anxiety.

Same here, except I have two kids. Really I feel that way about everything good that happens to me - family, work, everything. It's your anxiety speaking, OP.

[Anonymous]

I have four kids but particularly feel this way about my third, as he is such a sweet and gentle little soul. I was worried it was a premonition, but this makes me feel better to think it’s just anxiety.