I've been dealing with anxiety for years but it's gotten worse since becoming a parent. I find myself being way too protective and it's making my kids anxious too. My 7-year-old is starting to avoid certain activities because I project my fears onto him. I started therapy last month and it's helping but I'm mad at myself for letting it get this far. Just wanted to say it out loud somewhere.
I get this completely. My anxiety got so much worse after my daughter was born. Turns out I was worried I'd mess her up if I wasn't perfect, and that worry was making me a worse parent. Talking to someone really helped me break that cycle. Have you considered therapy?
Parenting definitely amplified my anxiety too. The stakes feel so much higher when it's your kids. But the anxiety about being anxious in front of them is usually worse than the actual anxiety. Have you looked into any coping strategies that work for you?
Your kids would probably rather have you present and a little anxious than perfect and distant. Have you talked to your doctor about what's changed? Sometimes this stuff is treatable and you don't have to white knuckle through it.
The anxiety spiral with kids is real. I find that when I'm spiraling, I need to step away for 10 minutes. Not ignore the kids but hand off to my wife and just breathe. Your kids need you calm more than they need you perfect.
This is something you really need to talk to a therapist about if you haven't already. Parental anxiety is real and it affects everything. The fact that you recognize it's changing how you interact with your kids is actually huge.
Your kids need you healthy more than they need you perfect. If anxiety is making you snap at them or withdraw, that's something worth getting help for. I was the same way and getting support made me actually present instead of just physically there.
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I struggle with this too and it manifests differently depending on the day. Some days I'm overly protective and anxious about everything, other days I'm short with them because I'm so wound up. Medication helped me a lot but therapy was the real game changer.