Normal parenting anxiety or should I get help?

Question

I currently have a 2yo daughter and I am having a hard time relaxing on vacation 
We are currently at a lake house with some relatives and I am really struggling. I don’t want to drink even the slightest because I need to watch my daughter, I can’t sit down because I am scared of her falling into the lake, I won’t even take my eyes off her. I am constantly panicking about where she is going and what her next move may be. After three days of this I am EXHAUSTED!! There are other family members here with kids who are also slightly anxious, but I feel like they are handling it better than me. 
I’m so exhausted from being stressed the whole time that I am debating about not doing another family vacation for a while. This isn’t fun for me. I can’t relax. 
Is this normal? I feel like it is but at the same time I feel like I am letting people down because I can’t just relax and have fun. I am currently about to nap while my daughter is napping and everyone else is going out on the boat 😓I am just too tired to go have fun with everyone

Answer

That is an abnormal amount of anxiety. Why can no one else help monitor her? How is this so much different than at home? You deserve to relax. Your daughter would be just fine.

Answer

I do this too. Vacations are so much work as a parent. It's a new environment that I haven't been able to baby/kid proof. Just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone!

Answer

I honestly don’t know if it’s normal. But I just wanted to say, I’m glad to know it’s not only me.

Answer

I think all parents well most parents worry about there children while at a lake or something but this seems extreme.

Answer

Water can be triggering for me too with my toddler. But I had ppa/ppd and went to therapy. So I know my anxiety can be extreme if I'm not taking care of myself too. Put her in a lifejacket and take a deep breath!!!

Answer

Is this your first type of trip like this? I’m a pretty anxious person and our first camping trip on the water with my daughter I felt like this too. It got better the more often we went though. I honestly prefer campsites that are not directly on the water as I feel I can relax more. But no I don’t think it’s normal if it’s so bad that you are not enjoying yourself at all and do not want to go on another family vacation. I feel for you though because I completely understand how draining it is.

Answer

It’s normal to be cautious and keep a close eye on your toddler, especially around water, but you definitely sound like you’re anxious to the extreme. It’s really important to give your child some room to explore and experience life - that will mean some bumps and bruises and scary situations, but that’s part of growing up! If you keep her on such a short leash she will not learn how to fend for herself, and if you’re this anxious around her I fear that she’ll pick up on that anxiety and become anxious herself over time. 
I’m not sure what to suggest to you except to take reasonable precautions (like wearing a life jacket when near the water), lean on the other parents a bit, stop worrying about worst case scenarios, and definitely have a glass of wine because GIRL you need to relax!

Normal parenting anxiety or should I get help?

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