When my oldest was a baby, I had so much anxiety about leaving the house by myself. I would see other moms go on outings with more than one kid, seemingly with ease, and I would wonder, “What’s wrong with me?”
It turned out that while I did have postpartum anxiety, going on fun outings did not come naturally to this introverted stay-at-home mom. I needed to work toward my goal of being able to leave the house with just myself and my daughter. Eventually I got there, even though I had to start all over twice when I had my next two kids. If you feel anxious at the thought of going out on your own with your kids, you are not alone. It just doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and that’s okay.
Start Small
Instead of planning big day trips, start small when leaving the house with kids. Some ideas:
- Parks close to your house (walk or drive)
- Library story time or just go and play in the kid’s section
- Go through a drive through to get ice cream or drinks and enjoy them in the car
You Don’t Have to Go Alone
There have been seasons that I refused to go anywhere unless my husband was with us, or even one of my kids’ grandparents. Sometimes we need back up, and that’s okay. Another option is to meet up with friends for play dates. You may have to actually leave your house on your own, but it eases some of the anxiety when you know you’ll see a friendly face.
Be Prepared
Have snacks in your bag, extra clothes in the car, and bring everyone’s water bottle with you when you leave the house. Sometimes we even bring along a small toy or book to keep little hands occupied on car rides or during wait times if you go out to eat.
Give Yourself Grace
If leaving the house with your kids for necessities such as doctors’ appointments or grocery shopping is all you can handle in this season of life, that’s okay! Don’t push yourself too hard before you are ready. You’ll get there, and over time it will get easier.
