Acceptance and limiting your worrying takes time and practice. It can be helpful to give yourself a dedicated 5 to 10 minutes each day to worry about your child, then move on with your day.
Set aside 5 to 10 minutes each day to meditate. It can feel strange meditating at first, but as you feel more comfortable, you can slowly increase your time. Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your surroundings and emotions, which can help lower stress and time spent ruminating. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source
Let your child come to you for help, rather than asking them prying questions. Giving your adult child advice without asking or inserting yourself into situations can strain your relationship. By trying to help too much, you can push your child away by making them think you don’t respect their independence or doubt their ability to make their own decisions. [5] X Research source
It’s okay to still offer your support, but let your child ask you for help. Help out in practical ways, such as pointing them towards helpful solutions or building up their confidence, instead of bending over backwards to fix everything. If your child is still relying on you for financial support, establish boundaries with them. Have an honest conversation that you’re limiting your support, making it clear that it’s to help them, not punish them. Give them an appropriate deadline and limit your support gradually. [7] X Research source Try only calling your child once a week, so they can learn to work through their problems on their own.
Set aside a private, quiet time each day where you can write for 10 to 30 minutes. Many people like to write before they go to bed, but any time when your thoughts are clear is a great choice. [10] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source If a physical journal isn’t your thing, you can write down your thoughts on your phone or computer with a word processor. Apps like Day One and Penzu are also great open journaling options, while others like Five Minute Journal give you specific prompts each day.
Have fun and experiment with different hobbies! You can start to knit, volunteer in your community, take up hiking, or plan game nights with your friends.
It can be difficult to be vulnerable with your child and admit that you’re worried. Whether your talking in person or on the phone, express your feelings with “I” statements and listen intently when your child responds. [14] X Research source
