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I think I worry too much about my family, but don't know how to stop.

(177 Posts)
Gally Sat 12-Nov-11 21:07:26

Sounds familiar Green. I was a constant worrier - inherited from my Dad who worried about everything and anything. When they left for Uni I didn't worry too much - almost out of sight, out of mind but not quite.... but when they came home, I started to worry again - waiting until I heard the door close at 3 am, wondering if they had been molested on the long walk back from the pub (all of 50 yards) all silly things; then, one day I took myself in hand and decided that all this worry was not good for me; they were, by that time, well grown up and married and I transferred my 'worry' mentally to them and since then have tried to just get on with my own worrieshmm. Of course, when they ring and tell me about their problems, illnesses, pregnancies, mothers-in-law, baby troubles or whatever, I sympathise and offer advice and help and in some cases worry but not half as much as I used. We Mums will never not care, but we have to learn to let go and let them get on with their own lives unencumbered by us ...confused

greenmossgiel Sat 12-Nov-11 20:16:48

It's a 'mother' thing, I suppose, but how do we learn to step back and let them get on with their lives without the constant worry about if they're ok? My eldest daughter is settled well, and deals with day-to-day stuff in an organised way. Her younger sister lives a chaotic lifestyle and cannot apply herself as her sister does - in fact she's the total opposite! There are times when her life falls into more chaos, and I go along to pick up the pieces again, usually financial. My son seems to be getting his life together again, after having dealt with his own issues. Dealing with these issues were very hard for us both, and he needed strong support from me. Now, I realise, I'm finding it so very hard to stop worrying and needing to always hear from him to make sure he's ok. I have recognised that this probably isn't a good thing, but find it hard to stop....I'm always thinking 'I haven't heard from him today - what if he's not ok?' or 'Why isn't she answering her phone - is she feeling low again?' I've always been a worrier, and I know I'm not doing them any good being this way, but I don't know how to stop!