Thriving Amid Uncertainty:
Dr. Ellen Reed's Guide to Coping with Constant Worries about the Future for Parents

Parenting comes with its fair share of uncertainties, but constant worry about the future can take a toll on parents' mental well-being. In this comprehensive guide, renowned performance coach Dr. Ellen Reed shares actionable strategies to help parents conquer anxiety over future fears and cultivate resilience.

Understanding Future Worries and Parenthood

Identify specific worries: Ellen advises parents to pinpoint the exact sources of their future worries, whether it's financial stability, health concerns, or career prospects.

Assess likelihood and impact: Evaluate the likelihood and potential impact of each worry to gain perspective on its significance.

Embracing Mindfulness Practices as a Parent

Daily mindfulness exercises: Ellen recommends incorporating mindfulness practices into daily routines, such as mindful breathing or body scans, to anchor oneself in the present moment.

Acceptance and non-judgment: I encourage parents to accept your worries without judgment and observe them from a place of curiosity rather than fear.

Cultivating a Growth Mindset for Parenting

Reframe challenges as opportunities: I teach parents to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, fostering a growth mindset in themselves and their children.

Focus on progress, not perfection: I encourage parents to celebrate progress and small victories, emphasizing the journey rather than the end goal.

In Level Up's Parental Mental Health and Self-Care Training, Dr. Jason Selk and I teach how to deal with perhaps the single biggest downfall of so many parents, especially moms — perfectionism — through tools and techniques like Done Wells, Rewards, Process Mindset, Effective Goal Setting, Habit Formation and much, much more.

Setting Realistic Family Goals and Action Plans

Break down larger worries: Help parents break down larger worries into actionable steps and set realistic goals to address them.

Create SMART goals: Guide parents in setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals to provide clarity and direction.

In Level Up's Parental Mental Health and Self-Care Training, you will be guided through a powerful set of exercises we call Vision of Self-Image that helps you develop long range, medium-term and more immediate dreams and goals that enable you to worry less by knowing where you are at any given time on that roadmap.

Parents must Constantly Build a Supportive Network

Seek support: I encourage parents to reach out to trusted friends, family members, or support groups to share their concerns and receive validation and encouragement.

Professional guidance: I recommend seeking guidance from mental health professionals or parenting coaches for additional support and perspective when necessary — there is no shame in admitting that you are lonely or your current network of trusted support can't fully remedy your unhealthy stress level.

Prioritizing Self-Care Practices as Parents

Schedule self-care activities: I assist parents in scheduling regular self-care activities, such as exercise (Big Mo is a critical lesson taught in Level Up), relaxation techniques (Centering Breath), or hobbies, to recharge and maintain emotional well-being.

Practice self-compassion: I remind parents to be kind to themselves and prioritize self-compassion, acknowledging that it's okay to ask for help and take breaks when needed.

Parenting like Life is about Learning to Cope and Celebrate

By implementing these practical strategies, parents can effectively cope with future worries that can become constant and even overwhelming or suffocating and build resilience in the face of uncertainty. With mindfulness, a growth mindset, goal-setting, support networks, and self-care practices, parents can thrive and navigate the challenges of parenting with confidence and resilience.