Sunday, September 13, 2009

Worrying

I am a worrier. I come by it honestly. My mother is a worrier, as was her mother.

It's amazing how through your life you worry about different things.

As a child I worried about not being invited to a classmate's sleepover. (I was and it wasn't that great)

As a teenager I worried about boys, a lot!!!! (Too much actually)

As a young adult I worried finding a husband. (Turns out I found a great one)

When I was first pregnant I worried about what kind of mom I would be. (The juries still out)

When I had a new born I worried about dropping the child, what certain rashes were, and whether they were getting enough to eat. (Didn't drop anyone, rashes went away, and since one of my children is taller than me, I think it's fair to say they get enough to eat)

When my kids started school I worried about what kind of friends they'd make. (So far alright, had a few issues with older child, but those are long forgotten now)

When I finished my book I worried if anyone would like it. (Family seems too, hopefully others will too)

Now that I'm entering the time in my life where the decisions we make for our child could really define their future I beginning to worry more than ever. Are we putting too much pressure on them? Have we taught them to make the right decisions? Have we done enough? It's all very stressful.

I'm definitely a worrier, but I try to remember the past. The things I worried about then seem to be nothing now and in time this will too.

13 comments:

Susan R. Mills said...

I'm such a worrier, too! Like you said, I come by it naturally. My mother is a worrier, my grandmother was a worrier, and I'm guessing my great grandmother was, too. Isn't it funny how you look back on the things you worried about, and they all turned out okay. It should be a lesson learned, but I still can't stop worrying. My daughter started high school this year and the worries have compounded! I try to let go of them as much as possible.

JKB said...

Like you both, I'm a worrier. Isn't it funny! Maybe it's just a woman thing?

From what I know of you, Patti, I don't think you're making a step wrong. You're grounded, sane, funny and smart. I think those kids will turn out just fine.

But I send you a hug anyways...because growing a kid up right is not that easy at all.

kah said...

I'm in the Worrier club too. I don't have kids but mainly that's because I WORRY I'll mess them up with my head-in-the-clouds lifestyle.

Natalie said...

I guess all writers are worriers. I find it kind of upsetting that I spent months worrying about whether or not an agent would like my book and as soon as one did I immediately started worrying about if an editor would like it. WHY?

Patti said...

Susan: My son started highschool as well and I guess that's where a lot of my worries are directed. It's a very stressful time, but I'm sure we'll make it through.

JKB: Thanks for the vote of confidence. What's funny is that when I'm around people who are more worried than me, I tend to be a lot calmer.

Patti said...

Karen: I worried about that as well when I got pregnant, but so far so good.

Natalie: I'm still on agent, so you're one step ahead of me. I'm sure your editor will love it.

Jessie Oliveros said...

Hi Patti-I'm still worrying about rashes and what-he-eats. I don't like to think too far ahead because then I worry about what I will worry about later when I really have enough to worry about now. But some worry is good. If we didn't worry it would mean we didn't care.

P.S. And your book (shy of the six chapters I haven't read yet) IS good. I'm excited to agent-worry-by-proxy with you.

Jessie Oliveros said...

When are you submitting anyway?

Patti said...

Jessie: That's good advice, only worry about the present and near future, leave the distant future for later.

I keep pushing it back, but I'm really hoping to submit by October 1, 2009, notice I put the year in there.

Kasie West said...

I worry too. I remember when my daughter was two weeks old, I looked at her and started bawling because I knew one day she'd be a teenager and I remembered what I was like as a teenager. Perhaps I should only worry about the present and near future, like suggested. :)

Dara said...

I'm a worrier too. Hubby always tells me I worry too much. But I can't help it :) And you're right--most of the time the things from the past that I worried about were silly. But at the time it's hard to see that!

Heidi Willis said...

Me too! Me too!!

I think the worrying's just getting worse as they get older, too. Scraped knees and rashes were one thing; broken hearts are entirely another!

They'll be fine, though. And so will you.

Can't wait to see that book out there!

Patti said...

Kasie: That's the real fear. I have too good of a memory when it comes to my teenage years, and as my son heads into them it's incredibly scary.

Dara: It's hard to look to the future when it's so uncertain.

Heidi: Totally agree. This Saturday was the first night I actually had to wait up for my son to go home. I wasn't too worried he was with church leaders at a concert, but it was a sign of things to come.