We all need a safe place, where we can tell the truth about our daily struggles and be cared about without fear of rejection. So often anxiety is increased by not having a place to struggle and experience security at the same time. The “good enough” parent can create that safe place. “Good enough” is really just a way to say that a person is not perfect, and yet they are still consistently available and trustworthy.

We all need a safe place, where we can tell the truth about our daily struggles and be cared about without fear of rejection.

Anxiety is the anticipation of helplessness, or being in a situation in which we suffer humiliation, rejection, or aloneness. Anxiety can be reduced, by knowing we have a safe place to start from or return to:

• A place to get prepared to face what we fear.
• A place to go after we face what we fear.

All “good enough” parents offer five things that create an “anti-anxiety” environment (i.e., a place where a person is safe from being rendered helpless).

1. They laugh. The laughter is never at someone, but with someone.
2. They cry. The tears are responses to loss and caring.
3. They pray. The prayers express the dependence and faith of a child.
4. They say, “I’m sorry.” The forgiveness shows humility and empathy.
5. They maintain values. The values express integrity, and they point towards a path to follow that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8)

These five behaviors create a place that reduces anxiety. People who offer these things are the safe place.

You don’t have to go through parenting alone. Sage Hill is here to help. We’re now offering a virtual group for parents. Call us at 615-499-5453 or click here for more information.