• Contact Me | Appointments

    1221 E. 33rd Street | Ste 100 | Tulsa, OK 74105-2046
    brentmusick@supportivecounselingoftulsa.com
    (918) 609-3449

  • Brent Musick - Supportive Counseling of Tulsa

    • Home
    • About
    • Services
    • Getting Started
      • Client Forms
      • Rates & Insurance
      • Request An Appointment
    • FAQs
    • Resources
      • Latest News
      • National Physical Health Links
      • National Mental Health Links
    • Contact Me
    • Blog

    5 Ways to Cope with Anxiety as a Parent

    December 31, 2017

    The hard work and unpredictability that makes parenting so rewarding can also cause a great deal of anxiety. Here are some simple ways to bring yourself to a place of calm.

    Make a To-Do List
    Ruminating on worries can cause lots of stress. Clear your mind by making a to-do list. Put down everything that needs to be done into your phone or onto a sheet of paper, and as you write them down, visualize yourself removing this task from your mind onto the list.

    Watch Your Language
    Many times parents believe things will get better when their children move on to the next phase of their maturity. However, the truth is that the worry will continue until you change your pattern of thought. To do this, watch the language you use to describe things. Don’t use phrases such as, “this will be a disaster if I don’t get it done on time” or “I’ll die of embarrassment if I forget.”

    Also change thoughts of “I have to” to “I want to”. For example, instead of saying “I have to sign the kids up for karate” say, “I want to sign the kids up for karate because I know they’ll love it.”

    Get Some Fresh Air
    There’s nothing like some fresh air and sunlight to ease anxiety. Put your baby in a stroller and go for a walk around the block, to a neighbor’s house, or a local park. Take your kids to an outdoor mall or sit on the patio of a frozen yogurt shop and share a frozen treat. You can also try your local library. Some libraries also have outdoor patio areas where you can read with your kids.

    Practice Mindfulness Exercises
    If your anxiety is difficult to control, try deep-breathing from your belly. While you do this, concentrate on five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. This can help calm you when you’re feeling a panic or anxiety attack start to arise.

    Use Your Support Network
    Call your friends or family to chat or ask for advice. It may also help to vent with a Facebook parenting group or other online message board. You can also call your therapist and make an appointment and work through your challenges.

    Try these tips to control and cope with your anxiety, and enjoy the time with your children free from worry.

    If you find your anxiety to be impacting your ability to be a happy, successful parent, it might be time to speak with a professional who can help. Please contact me today for an initial consultation.

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

    Related

    Filed Under: Anxiety, Parenting

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Supportive Counseling
    of Tulsa

    Brent Musick MA, LPC

    1221 E. 33rd Street Ste 100
    Tulsa, OK 74105-2046

    (918) 609-3449
    Email Me Now

    verified by Psychology Today

    Contact Me Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.
    Supportive Counseling of Tulsa | Brent Musick
    brentmusick@supportivecounselingoftulsa.com | (918) 609-3449
    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Child on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in