I know that there's not one day that goes by that I don't worry about my kids. From the moment the pregnancy test turned positive is when it all started! I remember thinking about that baby every second of the day hoping he or she would be o.k. I just wanted to get through the first 12 weeks. Once I was in the clear and I saw that baby move, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Then of course, I worried about the baby's health. Once it came close to delivery, I worried about the birth. Thankfully, I delivered three healthy babies but that didn't mean I stopped worrying! I know it's only natural to worry about your own child but I have to wonder if it gets easier or harder the older they get.

While I'm convinced that the young years are the hardest mentally and physically, I've asked a few couples with teenagers what they think. I got the same answer from all of them. Basically I was told that the teenage years are the hardest hands down. One father of two teenagers told me that he would take the toddler stage over the teenage stage. He said that as they get older, the harder it was because the problems just get bigger.

So, what separates a mother/parent worrying from being over-protective? I know how hard it was to let my oldest son get on the bus for the first time. I was worried about everything from him riding the bus, eating his lunch I made him, going to the bathroom unattended, playing and socializing with the other kids. You name it. But I had to let go and not let him know how worried I was but more so how proud I was that he was a big kid now! When my daughter had to go to the hospital when she cut her chin open, I had to hold her in my arms kicking and screaming. I had to try to comfort her and soothe her to let her know it was going to be alright. Did I know it was going to be o.k.? No, but I had to put on a brave face. When my youngest had a fever of almost 105, I was scared to death but I held it together and went into complete "mommy mode."

As much as I would love to put my kids in a bubble to protect them from everything, I know that sometimes I need to let them go. Let them figure certain things out. If I don't give them the chance to be kids, I feel like they won't be able to make their own decisions without me. All I can do is instill confidence in themselves and respect for others and hope they do o.k! So, like I said before, there's not one day that I don't worry about my kids. Now I'm convinced that no matter what age they are, I will always worry. Even when they are adults and have children of their own.

What do you think? Are the younger years easier or harder than the teenage years? Why?

Jessica

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Jessica

by Jessica G