I’m Catherine, a 32-year-old single mom, and life with my 2-month-old twins has taught me more about anxiety than I ever imagined. Until now, I’ve never left them for longer than ten minutes. But tomorrow, my husband and I are expected at a wedding—without our babies.
My anxiety isn’t just about stepping away—it’s about introducing bottles last minute and hoping my mom can care for them Saturday. Even typing that makes my heart race.
I’ve been calm through pregnancy and those first magical, foggy baby weeks. But now? I’m a trembling mess. I practically can’t breathe at the thought of leaving them. And it’s not because I don’t trust my family—it’s because I fear I’ll miss something important, like them changing, growing, or even just needing me.
I know this outing could be healthy—a rare night out before I return to work in January. Still, logic isn’t working for me. Each thought is wrapped in “what ifs” and guilt, and that pit in my stomach is constant company.
How old were your babies when you first left them for more than a few minutes? How did you push through the anxiety, knowing you needed that break? Because right now, I feel both guilty and desperate for advice.
