#MicroblogMondays 78: Yes, Those Are My #ObamaAndKids
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Thank you to everyone who sent along the Time magazine or the Jezebel article about that hashtag #ObamaAndKids. We were out all day, so I didn’t know that was happening on Twitter.
That photo of the twins that they included actually marks an interesting moment. It was the first time I let the kids go off with a stranger.
The ChickieNob had questions for the President, so one of the staffers arranged for the kids to go over to the other side of the room to meet him. I wouldn’t be able to see them during that time because there was a crowd around the President. I must have had a look on my face when they told me what was going to happen because the woman touched my arm and said, “I will not let anything happen to them. They are in the safest place in the US, and I will stay with them the whole time.”
(In my defense, it was a really big room. And they were really small kids. And I couldn’t see them. And I’m a really nervous person, in general.)
She clearly returned them to me, unscathed. And while they were over there, this super-nice photographer we met earlier in the day photographed them for me at the same time as Pete Souza so I could see what was happening while they were out of my sight line. The whole experience made me chill out (a bit) but was moreover a really good reminder that there are a lot of kind adults out there who are going to watch out for your kids when you’re not around. And those adults that day — none of whom had kids and therefore weren’t doing it from experience because they knew how nerve wracking it can be to be separated from your children in a crowd — were good people who set my heart at ease that day.
And to keep me from sounding like the only anxiety-prone woman on the Internet, tell me what makes you nervous. And has anyone ever helped you quell your fears?
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27 comments
Generally, fear makes me nervous. Kind people in the line of duty, or even off duty, pitched in to help me. Compassion and empathy for fellow human beings create kindness.
Not being in the US I don’t actually know what happened or where a photo of your children was, but I DO know ALL ABOUT being nervous. I’m nervous about what might happen – not just normal nerves but the most far-fetchedand awful things my brain can make up. Constantly. I’m sure what you were feeling is normal! They are precious, and they make us start to let go so very soon anyway.
What makes me nervous? I get anxious about a lot of things.
If I have a lot of work pending, it makes me anxious enough to not be able to do anything, ironically.
If I write on paper and leave unclosed a letter that is normally closed (like an o, or a p), my body automatically tenses until I go back and fix it.
Speaking on stage makes me nervous, though I’m becoming more and more comfortable as I attend more Toastmasters sessions.
A bunch of other things as well.
Does the ChickieNob still want to be a journalist?
Lots of stuff makes me nervous, especially waiting and the unknown. No matter what it’s for, those 2 things will keep my stomach in knots more than anything else.
Not much makes me nervous, to be honest. Jittery I guess, yeah, for job interviews or when doing something new and big (like maybe making a big presentation). Getting new regarding infertility stuff and pregnancy made me nervous for sure though.
And for some reason having my kids (2 and 4) out of my sight isn’t a huge deal. Like at the park. I think that’s maybe a societal thing though, here in Spain, at least at the park after school with all friends around, I know there are lots of helpers.
I’m not terribly nervous, generally. When I go to court for work, I get a little nervous. I have an upcoming event that’s making me nervous. Sometimes seeing my daughter take risks makes me nervous, but she needs to do those things.
My favorite part of the Riding in Cars With Comedians that Seinfeld did with Obama was when Obama said “I’m great with the 0-8 demographic.”
Holy , that’s amazing! I get anxious about all sorts of things. The big ones right now are. 1. Leaving Bean Sprout for the first time next week while I start my university lectures about infertility again. Not to mention the anxiety I have about giving the talk in general! 2. Having him in the bassinet all night instead of pressed against me. This is so I sleep better but it’s still anxiety inducing.
Well, I have anxiety. So at the moment everything makes me nervous.
The #obamaandkids was one of the best things … just sweet pictures that were hard to politicize because: kids. I loved the kid reporters one. 🙂 Well done letting the kids meet him, as I know that was hard. I was on Twitter when it was happening and it was super fun to watch. And yay for good adults. And they were in the safest place in the country, the staffer was right. Not that I blame you.
When other people don’t watch their kids as closely as I think they should, that makes me nervous. We were all at a crowded outdoor event a few months ago & I looked around & yelled out to my friend: “Oh my gosh! Where’s Rebecca?!” and she calmly told me her not-quite 5 year old was at the painting tent way over there (where none of us could see her.) I always try to tell myself it’s not my problem but I know I would go nuts if something happened so I said what I usually say in these situations: “Could you go stand by her? I know it doesn’t bother YOU, but you’re making ME really nervous!”
Wow! I did not know of that hashtag. Thanks for sharing! Those little children make such inquisitive journalists.
What makes me nervous? Hearing unpleasant news, hospitals and sometimes fear of death or that of loved ones.
I scrolled through #obamaandkids on Twitter last night, and it made me smile. I didn’t realize, though, that the twins’ photo had been reposted as part of that. Very cool!
As far as what makes me nervous, I’m tempted to say everything. But that’s not quite true. When my anxiety issues are bad, lots of things seem nerve-wracking and overwhelming. And medical stuff can often make me panic. Kind of a major problem when you’re dealing with IF. :/ Even though some of us are more anxiety-prone than others, I think just about everyone has *something* they’re irrationally afraid of – heights or spiders or germs… You’re definitely not the only person out there who gets nervous!
What makes me nervous?! How about what doesn’t make me nervous?? LOL!
Damn, that would be hard to have those photos out there. Even though they are amazing photos, it would make me worry too.
Honestly, I still check the Beats every night to see if they are still breathing. I worry about they commuting to daycare. I worry about them falling off of things. So much to worry about because I simply want to protect them.
I really don’t worry about my kids being out of sight or going off with people I know. I don’t think I’m a nervous parent generally.
The one thing that gets me is my dad always travels with a gun, I grew up on a farm, guns were part of my childhood, so I kind of get it. But my kids aren’t growing up like that and the fact that my dad doesn’t understand makes me sick. He thinks hiding it in his suitcase is enough. All the anxiety.
Recently, I’ve been extra anxious about Simon going to school. Pre-K has been really hard for him and I’m so anxious that Kinder is going to be the biggest stressful year. What makes me feel better is my friends talking me down.
The shorter answer would be what doesn’t make me nervous. 😛
Someone once told me my protectiveness would ease up as the kidlets got older. Well, last month our eldest (who just turned 21) went to L.A. by herself (we live in NH) for a weekend. I think I had the same look on my face as you did, but it lasted for days… *grin*
Love the story about the young (is that better than, “kid”?) reporters at the White House. What an amazing experience!
That’s a very cool story – your kids met the President! As a Canadian, I think that is pretty badass.
I think I get anxious more than nervous. Even though I love to travel, I get anxious in unfamiliar places sometimes and then I worry more about where I am and if I am safe than on enjoying the moment. Need to work on that.
Some shingles blew off our roof this weekend. I had to serve as spotter while my husband (not me) climbed the ladder onto the roof (not me) and nailed them back into place (not me). I felt sick to my stomach the whole time he (not me) was on the roof.
I get anxious if I have too much going on. For example, yesterday I needed to prep for today’s classes, wrap presents for my daughter’s birthday (today), do the laundry and pull out a suitcase so my husband (who overthinks these things) can start packing for the trip that’s 3 weeks away. All this while doing the normal things like spending time with the kids, feeding them on a moderately regular basis, etc. It was too much (and I knew it) and I felt like I wasn’t going to get everything done (because I didn’t) and I was doing everything half-way. So I started snapping at people who don’t deserve it (the kids). Not fun and hard to avoid, even when I see it coming.
Let’s see, kid-wise I get nervous about racism, bullying, exposing her to unsafe adults, illnesses, accidents. You name it 😉
Love that hashtag. I remember when you first posted about them going to the White House.
I have just been referred by my midwife to a program specializing in pre- and post-natal anxiety and depression because we both agree that my anxiety (which is usually on the high end of normal) is likely to become too much for me to handle given the other circumstances. I had my phone intake interview last week and it was a real surprise for me to learn that apparently most people go through the day without any “intrusive thoughts” (the ones that wonder what would happen if someone pushed you in front of a subway when you’re waiting on the platform, or if you crashed into the telephone poles lining the highway while driving). It really was news to me that this wasn’t just a standard feature of being human. So I guess that showed I need the referral.
I hate flying, but I really really hate flying with Q. and E., or having them in the air without me. I am much better if we are all together because then I know at least no one is left behind.
I am not sure how I will ever let E. play in the ocean now, but I suppose that is something I will have to face the next time we go down under.
that should be *without* Q. and E.
I’m glad that resisting your nervousness gave the twins a chance to experience something amazing that they will remember for the rest of their lives, and that it also helped you trust in other people a little more.
I’ve done a lot of things against my nervousness, including setting off at 17 to spend a year in Thailand. (https://aseparatelife.wordpress.com/2009/04/20/march-11-1980/)
I’m a bit shy, and that creates most of my nervousness. Sometimes I manage to kick it to the kerb, sometimes I succumb. It’s a reasonable balance.
Thanks, love the Obama photos.
I also am anxious about letting my kids out of my sight too (they’re younger than yours were, but still). No, I will not leave my 3 yo at gymnastics without one of us there, thank you. Still not buying that free range parenting BS. I don’t think your anxiety is irrational.
That is so cool! I mean, I guess if you’re going to let your kids go off with a stranger, the President’s a pretty good first!
I am nervous about pretty much everything. Most recently, I was home on February break and my husband had left for work in town 35 minutes away and the radio told me there was a hideous accident on one of his routes…so I had to call him and make sure he wasn’t dead. I am a little worried that I am going to attempt to put my child in a bubble because I am so worried that something bad will happen once amazing things happen. My husband calls me “safety Jess” because I am always harping on the rules and freak out when he’s 1 inch outside the crosswalk because he’s not protected. I hope I can let this go a bit when parenthood finally comes to us! 🙂
First: very cool about your kids and their being able to meet the Prez. Very cool feature–the photos over the years, super cute.
Second I am mostly anxious over the fact that anxiety seem to be growing in me / on me like the grey hairs sprouting from my head and . . . well, yeah.
I have, over the years, become the Calm One out of necessity. Still, I get really angsty when I feel my ToDo list getting too long or being neglected.