Dealing With Anxiety as a Parent
Being a mom is one of the most important jobs in the world. It brings joy, pride, and purpose—along with worry, fear, and sometimes overwhelming anxiety. And if you’re a mom in Lee’s Summit or the Kansas City area, you’re not alone. Many moms experience anxiety around parenting. You can be anxious and still be a great mom. In fact, taking care of your own mental health is one of the best gifts you can give your children. When you do that, you show them that mental health matters too.
What does parental anxiety look like?
Parental anxiety might show up as constant worry about your child’s safety, overthinking everyday decisions, feeling guilty or “not enough,” trouble sleeping, irritability, or feeling on edge most of the day. It can be about how you did something in the past or what might happen in the future.
Those fears can feel very real: “Did I forget something important?” or “What if I’m messing up my child’s future?” You may also overprotect, say yes too much, or avoid situations that make you anxious. Recognizing these patterns is the first step to changing them.
How does a mom’s mental health impact children?
A mom’s mental health deeply affects kids. Children whose moms have untreated anxiety, depression, or stress are more likely to have emotional, social, or behavior issues. They may have trouble managing their own feelings or feel less secure. But when moms get help, kids benefit too.
Research shows maternal mental health influences a child’s brain development, emotional regulation, and ability to handle stress. For example, studies have found that positive maternal wellbeing correlates with healthier brain growth and resilience in children (Nature). When moms seek support, the impact ripples through the entire family.
Can I be a good mom even though I feel anxious?
Yes. Absolutely. Anxiety doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you care deeply. You can be calm, loving, patient, even when anxiety is present. Being aware of your anxiety, working through it, and choosing to act with kindness and consistency are what make a parent “good,” not perfection.
Many moms worry they’ll mess up or harm their kids by being anxious. But children don’t need perfect moms. They need moms who love them, try, and sometimes say, “I’m sorry” or “I’m doing my best.” When you manage and model good mental health, you give your kids something powerful—resilience, honesty, and compassion.
What steps can I take to manage my parental anxiety?
Try self-care, therapy, breathing or mindfulness, and evaluate your thoughts before acting on them. Don’t believe every anxious thought automatically. Build friendships and support, set realistic expectations, and give yourself rest.
Self-care: It might be walking around Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit, journaling, or simply sitting in a coffee shop with a book.
Therapy: Aspire Counseling offers in-person sessions in Lee’s Summit and online across Missouri.
Thought work: When a worry shows up, pause and ask: “Is this helpful? Is it true?”
Support system: Friends, other moms, or church groups. You don’t have to do this alone.
When should I seek professional help for anxiety?
Seek help if anxiety is making daily life harder: if you can’t sleep, if you’re always worried, if it affects your mood, your health, or your relationship with your children. If you’re avoiding things because of fear, feeling overwhelmed, or losing your patience often, it’s time.
Therapists can teach coping tools, help you process past experiences, and guide you in changing unhelpful thought patterns. Aspire Counseling in Lee’s Summit has therapists trained to help moms manage anxiety. Taking this step isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Your children notice. You modeling that it’s okay to need help teaches them strength.
Why Mom’s Mental Health Matters More Than You Might Think
Kids watch how you handle stress. When you care for yourself, they learn that mental health is worth tending.
Anxiety in moms is often linked with shy, anxious, or insecure behavior in children. But when moms get help, that link weakens.
Maternal mental health influences child development—from brain growth to stress response systems. (Nature)
You may spend hours making sure your child gets what they need: school, therapy, sports. That’s wonderful. But children also need to see you getting what you need. Because when you are well, you can be more present. More patient. More joyful.
How to Start Changing Things Today
Breathe & Pause: When anxiety rises, take three deep breaths.
Practice small daily self-care: Even 10 minutes of something you enjoy matters.
Talk to someone: A trusted friend, spouse, or counselor.
Schedule time for yourself: Protect one hour each week.
Challenge thoughts: Write down your worries. Ask: “Is this thought useful?”
Related Reads from Aspire Counseling
If this resonates, you may want to read some of our related posts:
Self-Care for New Moms: Prioritizing Mental Wellness with the Help of Therapy
Parenting a Teenager with Mental Health Concerns: The Stress & Struggle
Aspire Counseling: Anxiety Therapy for Moms in Lee’s Summit, MO
At Aspire Counseling, we help moms in Lee’s Summit and across Missouri who are dealing with anxiety—whether it’s general anxiety, parenting worries, or the weight of daily stress. Our therapists specialize in evidence-based approaches like CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness-based therapy.
If your anxiety is keeping you from being the parent you want to be—or simply keeping you from enjoying motherhood—it’s time to get support.
Contact Aspire Counseling to schedule an appointment in Lee’s Summit, Columbia, or online anywhere in Missouri. Your mental health matters—not just for you, but for your kids.
About the Author
Jessica Oliver is a proud Mom of two elementary age children, the proud aunt to several incredible kids of various ages and the dedicated founder/director of Aspire Counseling. Jessica has sat with teenager after teenager in the past 13 years of professional practice as a clinical social worker and listened to them talk about the impact of their parent’s anxiety on their own mental health. She’s heard countless teens say they don’t mind coming to counseling but wish their own parents would do something about their mental health. She’s heard children say they hesitated to say things to their parents for fear their parents couldn’t handle knowing their kids had problems. And she’s made her own mission to normalize the idea of moms too having mental health concerns. She believes firmly that a mom taking care of their own anxiety, depression or general wellbeing is an essential parenting skill and is proud that Aspire Counseling offers a safe space where Moms can feel supported.
