Fruity Pebbles
If anxiety is hard to deal with as an adult, imagine how a child must feel. Anxiety in children can manifest itself in a number of ways and it’s so important to be aware of the early signs or symptoms. I’m obviously not an expert on the subject so please take everything I say with a grain of salt, it is just my opinion and personal experience not medical advice.
As a child I can recall numerous moments where I was anxious. The earliest one I remember was my first day of kindergarten. My mom dropped me off and the principal had to pry me off my mom lol… I was a hot mess. I had been to pre-k before so I knew what it was like to be in a school setting but this time it felt different. English was my second language because my parents only spoke Spanish at home so right off the bat I felt at a disadvantage with the other kids. I remember feeling so nervous in the classroom and dreaded lunch/recess. Picture day was also another day I dreaded for some reason, actually I know why but I rather not discuss that lol. As I got older, I realized this anxiety thing was not going to ever just disappear. Everyone deals with it, some better than others, but whoever says they have never felt anxious in their life is a liar. I still get anxious before public speaking presentations and I’ve done so many of them.
My parents, like any good parent, did their best with being aware of any issues I struggled with as a child. Unfortunately, as their children, the last thing we want to do is cause them any concern or hurt so we become very good at hiding certain things. I sometimes wish my parents had more tools and guidance on this subject but there is no such thing as a parent handbook, you kind of learn as you go and pray that you are doing your absolute best. Looking back on my life now, I wish I had the courage to speak up more when something was bothering me and not be so worried about their reaction but more so being truthful to my thoughts and feelings. I hope to provide my future kids with that environment, where they feel safe and comfortable coming to me with anything that is on their mind and not being afraid of being vulnerable. For those of you that are parents, continue doing whatever you can to provide this for your children, and don’t be afraid of seeking guidance in whatever form is best for you. I personally don’t think we can ever eliminate anxiety, it’s just a matter of finding a coping mechanism to manage it so that it doesn’t get in the way of enjoying life.
“Smile, breathe, and go slowly. ”
Current song obsession.
