As a parent, what do you worry about the most when it comes to your children?

Question

I worry about my stepdaughter(shes 6) being a teenager, dating and having sex, possibly getting pregnant at a young age.

wow you guys have some really great answers!! its gonna be hard to pick a best one.

Answer 1

Here's what I did to alleve my worry: my husband and I had a real conversation about what our goal as parents actualy was. First of all we decided that the reason to become parents is because WE want to experience the JOURNEY of parenthood, and no matter what happens to our children, parenthood was a choice WE made and we were blessed to be able to experience for any amount of time and under any circumstances that may come up. We will try to control what we can, but what we can't we will accept as the course of life. Secondly we asked what we really want for our children. So many parents just say the generic "I want them to be happy", but if they were happy, self-absorbed criminals I would feel like I've failed in my job as a parent. I think the purpose of parenthood is to create an adult (through the environment you provide) who is a benefit, and not a burden, to society. So we made a personal list of what "Our Family Values and Priorities" are. They are Responsibility, Empathy, Ambition, Self-Respect, Gratitude, and Family. We had it made into a plaque and told them that if they ever get into trouble with us it is because their actions were going against one of our core family values. Our priorities ground us and allow us to always keep our eyes on the prize.

Answer 2

I understand your concern, there are so many young women out there that latch on to the first guy that looks their way. I've seen young mothers with three children with three different daddies. The best advise that I can offer you is to teach her not to drink after any body, and as she ages talk to her about AIDS. As a Mom you never stop worrying. My sons are 32 and 20, and I still worry about them. Teenage years with young ladies is the toughest, I know, I was one. But my parents were very strict and I knew better than to over step my boundaries. If you teach a child to respect their parents, hopefully she won't step over the line. It's a confusing time in today's world, if you have manners people think that your weak and attempt to walk on you. This thing with spare the rod and spoil the child just isn't working, this country is raising a generation of heathens. Good Luck

Answer 3

I worry about everything, even the dumbest, smallest things, like will she get teased for wearing those shoes with those pants today.... we all want to protect our children from hurt.

But the thing I worry about MOST is that I'm spending too much time/effort simply trying to survive... and that I will therefore fail her in the most fundamental ways, fail to teach her valuable lessons in life that will later on hinder her as an adult. I worry about all the things I don't have time to say, all the questions she doesn't think she can ask, all the precious minutes that slip away each day without me truly truly helping her to become a stronger, happier, better person.

Answer 4

I worry about how strong they will be in the face of a problem. I worry about their happiness. I worry about how they act and politeness, education, well everything. How can a parent not worry about everything. By the way my kids are 5, 6, and 10

Answer 5

Their health and emotional well being. They will date one day, have sex one day and possibly get pregnant at a young age. Instead of worrying about these issues, start now by talking to her (age appropriate issues) and educating her about these things. By instilling good values now, you might not have to worry later.

Answer 6

My oldest daughter is 13 and I worry most about her wanting to grow up so fast and not taking time to be a kid.
I worry that if she picks the wrong friends what bad influences and concequences it will have on her life.
I just want the best for her.

Answer 7

Where do I begin. I can't possibly list them all. I worry about them feeling sad or let down. I worry about them being hurt physically, and emotionally. I worry that in the future they will be unsure and not know where to turn. So many more, too many to tell. I hope I am doing my best to raise them to be confident, kind and patient people. I want them to be informed and make their own decisions and learn from them. I want to be able to save them but know that I can't and shouldn't.

Answer 8

My oldest is going to jr. high next year. He's a smart, athletic, popular kid but I worry about him deciding to go the "cool" route. You know, deciding it's cooler to be a loser than it is to continue to excel in school and sports. I hope my husband and I have done our job and have raised him to be happy with who he is, to be smart and to trust is own instincts and not be swayed by peer pressure. I worry about the same thing for my younger son, but he's only in 3rd grade, so I don't have to worry too much yet.

Answer 9

I worry that my daughter will grow up to be as bad as we are. I want her to be a nicer, stronger, kinder, more independent person than her father and I are. And I'm worried she'll pick up some of her bad habits. And I worry that I'll be one of those parents like on Supernanny who can't control their kids. :(

Answer 10

That they are safe. In addition I worry that I am not raising them to be responsible, carrying, well rounded adults with good work ethics. I worry that they with not know joy in their lives. I could go on and on.