Anxiety Births Anxiety: Breaking Generational Cycles Through Conscious Parenting

In the intricate dance of life, what we consume is often fed to our children. However, I'm not referring to the food on our plates, the drinks in our cups, or the medications we take. I'm talking about something equally powerful - our emotions, our anxieties, and the habits we pass down through generations. 

Understanding Anxiety: 

Anxiety, defined as distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune, is an emotion we've all encountered at some point in our lives. This includes our childhood, where seeds of anxiety may unknowingly be planted. 

Exploring Generational Curses: 

When we think of generational curses, our minds often wander to extremes - families facing educational challenges, incarceration cycles, or a history of certain illnesses. However, generational curses can manifest in everyday behaviors and habits passed down through families. These could range from talking back and overeating to not speaking up for oneself or procrastination. 

Anxiety Births Anxiety - A Personal Story: 

Let me share a personal story that illustrates how seemingly innocent habits can become generational curses. My great grandmother maintained an impeccably clean home, and my mother, rebelling against many things in life, followed suit. While I initially disliked this practice, I now find myself doing the same. The curse, however, is anxiety, leading to isolation in each generation. Because while we think keeping a clean house is the habit, it is not. The silent habit it created throughout generations is the isolation it created with all of us. Many people were not welcome or did not feel welcome to our homes and as a result, isolation. 

Breaking the Cycle: 

To interrupt the passage of these generational curses, we must listen to our bodies. Recognizing feelings of unease or harmony is key. Harmony feels warm, peaceful, and non-resistant, while unease is discomfort, dissatisfaction, and anxiety. 

Transforming Anxiety into Love: 

Interrupting the curse involves changing our old ways of responding to anxiety. Responding with love and compassion, rather than anger or anxiety, transforms the behavior we pass on to the next generation. To learn love and compassion, observe how you care for your own child - without any strings attached. That is true, unconditional love. 

Implications for Expecting Moms: 

For expecting mothers, anxiety during pregnancy is like a silent transmission to the baby. The unborn child consumes not only the food and liquids the mother ingests but also the emotional atmosphere she experiences. Recognizing this, mothers-to-be can actively work to interrupt the passage of anxiety by responding with love and compassion. 

Some Practical Tips for Relaxation: 

1. Classical music for relaxation. 

2. Reading aloud to the baby to form a connection and foster intellect. 

3. Meditation for personal rejuvenation and bonding with the baby. 

A Message to Teen Moms:* 

Teen moms, reflecting on your childhood experiences, you may recall unmet needs or instances where your voice was stifled. Small occurrences, like being told to sit down or be quiet, can shape a child's worldview. It's essential to identify these moments and break free from the anxieties they may have unknowingly instilled. 

Vulnerability Moment (Mom to Mom): 

Sharing a personal experience that altered my view, I recall being bullied for my darker complexion. A hurtful comment from my mother intensified the impact, shaping my self-perception. For years into adulthood I did not believe compliments when people said I was pretty, because my mother had reinfocused the negative comments instead of helping me challenge them. This vulnerability moment emphasizes the profound effect parents can unknowingly have on their children. 

Addressing Modern Anxieties in Children: 

In today's digital age, phones, TV, and social media play a significant role in spreading anxiety to children. Being ignored, using technology as a coping mechanism, and seeking approval on social media contribute to a cycle of anxiety in our younger generation. 

Conclusion: 

As we consume anxieties over time, it's crucial to recognize their potential impact on our children. Anxiety births anxiety, but we have the power to interrupt this cycle. By consciously responding with love and compassion, we can reshape generational behaviors and create a healthier, more harmonious future. 

We Are The Village - A Safe Haven Community for Teen Moms: 

Closing with a message about "We Are The Village," a safe space for teen moms and single parents of all ages. This organization offers motivation, parenting advice, mentorships, stress management tools, and a supportive community for breaking generational cycles. 

In our shared journey of parenthood, let's be mindful of what we consume and choose to release love and compassion to shape a brighter future for the generations to come. 

If the information provided sparked your interest, please listen to the Podcast on this very topic! 

Anxiety Births Anxiety. We Are The Village - Teen Moms Podcast 

It Takes a Village, We Are The Village - Teen Moms