Top Five Things I Worry About for My Kids

Originally posted on Discovering Dad

Generally, I'm a pretty upbeat and positive Dad, but there are definitely things that I worry about for my kids.

Here's the Top Five Things I Worry About for My Kids:

1. Happiness - Are my kids happy? It seems like they are when I interact with them, but I often wonder how they are feeling about themselves, life and me. As with any relationship that involves love, there is a desire to please. It has also been said that there is no love without accountability, and I agree with that sentiment. I know that there are moments throughout each day that my kids are not happy for one reason or another, and that's OK; however, I want to help them in every way that I can to learn how to be happy with life. Books about raising happy kids//

2. Safety - Are my kids safe? Now, I have to admit that I am probably less paranoid about this topic than most. I'm not afraid to let my kids do things that teach them responsibility or encourage their adventurous spirits, but I do worry about whether or not they are getting into situations in which others may take advantage of their naivety, especially with my teenage daughter. She's a very smart girl, and I trust her to make good decisions. There are a lot of creeps and jerks in the world, though, and I worry that one of them may just cross her path. Basically, I feel the need to protect my kids and family, and it causes me to worry from time-to-time when things may be outside of my control. Books about keeping kids safe//

3. Education/Learning - Are my kids being properly educated and learning the things they will need to be successful in life? Both of my kids are extremely bright (as I'm sure most parents feel), but I mean that they learned how to talk, read and more ahead of the typical time lines. They have incredible potential, but it needs to be fostered and encouraged. I worry that my daughter is not challenged enough in school to maximize her potential, and I wonder at times whether I'm doing enough to help her or my son learn how to challenge themselves to learn and grow. It's really hard to know where the line is between pushing them too hard, or not hard enough, when it comes to education and learning, and it gives me heartburn just thinking about high school and college. Books about teaching kids//

4. Relationships - Are my kids building effective relationships with others? I don't worry about the relationship my kids have with me or other family members, but I do wonder how well they are able to interact and build appropriate relationships with others. My daughter is at a point in life where she has a "boyfriend," and I worry incessantly about this! I don't want her to ever feel like she is defined by her relationships with boys/men - I want her to be a strong independent woman who has the ability to stand on her own, yet chooses to share her life with a good man (many, many, many years from now). As for my son, I just worry whether or not I provide enough opportunities for him to interact with other kids, as he does not go to daycare. Later in life, I'm sure that my wife will be more protective of him than me when it comes to relationships with girls. Books about healthy relationships with kids//

5. Confidence/Strengths - Are my kids confident? Do they know what makes them special? Society is filled with people who are quick to criticize and slow to praise. Even though I am quick to discipline my kids, I am also quick to let them know when they are doing something right. I try to tell my kids that I'm proud of them for specific things, and I encourage them to build on things they naturally do well. Still, I worry about what their self-talk is like. Do they focus on the good or bad things about themselves? How do they feel about who they are? Do they know and understand their strengths? There is no easy answer to these questions, and most people spend their entire lives trying to understand them. I worry, though, about whether or not they feel good enough, and I try to let them know that they are more than enough for me. Books about building up confidence in kids//

What do you worry about for your kids?