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Anxiety over gc going on days out

(5 Posts)
batshizzle4 Sat 06-Jun-26 08:37:28

Hi
Anxiety central! I’m a 60 yr old grandma and I’m driving myself crazy with anxiety over my 5 year old gd going out for the day with a family member. I was the same when she went out with the childminder to parks, cinema, zoo etc. I know I can’t wrap her in cotton wool, (you can probably tell I’m anxious by nature!) I was the same when my own kids were small but had control over their activities then. My daughter has control now and rightly so. She is herself an over thinker but seems fine with it tbh. I’m fine when she’s out with mum & dad, it’s just when she goes with anyone else. This will come up time and time again as she grows up (school trips etc) and I’ll have to deal with it but how? I’m on the verge of going to the doc but hate the idea of anti depressants. Does anyone else feel this so acutely? I wonder if it gets worse with age!

rosie1959 Sat 06-Jun-26 09:00:59

I have young grandchildren but there is little point getting anxious about everything they do. As time goes on there will be far more things they take part in one of mine is off on a residential school trip next week. Quite honestly they have their life to live with as many experiences as possible. Bad things can happen any time anywhere but 99% of the time they don't.
Are you usually so anxious about things in general or is it just this one thing.

Calendargirl Sat 06-Jun-26 10:03:16

If you’re worried now, well, it won’t improve as they get older, I’m afraid.

Parties, late nights out, going to the pub, walking home late at night, driving, being driven by friends…..

eazybee Sat 06-Jun-26 10:18:03

you can probably tell I’m anxious by nature!) I was the same when my own kids were small but had control over their activities then.

Stop it now.
The key word is control.
You have to let your family live their own lives without interference, because this is what it is. My mother did similar, always insisting on knowing where and what I was doing and interrogating friends to find out if I didn't say. It continued after my marriage and children, became worse when I separated, and eventually I reunited with my husband in my forties and moved many miles away.
Sadly, it was a great relief to know my private life remained private.
I sometimes wonder if this is sometimes the cause of estrangement of adult children; too much involvement in their lives for the best possible reasons but a refusal to let go; the partner /spouse recognises it and rejects it.

M0nica Sat 06-Jun-26 10:27:34

The uestion you ask, is what can you do to stop this problem, or at least alleviate it.

The best I can suggest is a course of CBT(Cognitive Behaviour Therapy). This is defined as a practical, structured talking therapy that helps you manage mental health and behavioral challenges. It works by identifying the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and teaching you practical coping strategies to break negative cycles and improve your mood

You should be able to get a referral through your doctor, or, if you go online to your GP Practice website, Among all the nitty gritty about appointments and prescriptions, they also have pages of accessible information about mental and physical health and may have information about CBT courses there