Parents worry.  A lot.  Take it from me, as possibly one of the biggest worriers I know, fretting over the well-being, academic achievements, social adjustments, general cleanliness and dental hygiene of my kids - all which barely touch on the list of concerns, obsessions and preoccupations I have when it comes to worrying about my family. And now there’s MySpace, and YouTube and instant messaging, computer viruses, and pornography...how can a parent sleep these days?

 

Like they always have - with one ear to the pillow and the other scanning the night for a crying baby.  Or a restless toddler.  Or the slam of a car door as curfew approaches. Or the muffled sounds of a secret phone call to a boyfriend.  Or the tick-tack-tick of the computer keyboard during a midnight IM session.  

 

Worrying is easy.  With no learning curve and no instruction manual,it comes to most parents as a natural talent, of sorts.  But, what we discover is that worrying doesn’t do anything to prevent trouble or sickness or danger.  It just wears us down, makes us crazy and clouds the enjoyment that comes with raising a family.  

 

It’s listening that really makes a difference.  Watching.  Talking.  Looking.  Connecting.  Learning.  Understanding.  That’s what helps us keep our kids safe, healthy and developing. It’s not always easy, not always instinctual (especially if you have teenagers) and it takes time, patience and in today’s world maybe even an instruction manual.  It can’t prevent every stumble, every flub-up or every disaster, but it sure boosts the odds.  And it definitely beats the heck out of worrying.  

 

So stop it.  Stop panicking, furrowing your brow and rubbing your hands together in a fretful pattern.  Instead, I challenge you to watch, instead of worry.  Investigate.  Listen.  Learn. Login in.  Tune in.  Download.  Dig in.  Blog. Vlog.  Podcast.  IM.

 

When you do, you might just discover something that makes you worry less.  And enjoy your family more.