Trying to set boundaries with families and friends for your kids is one of the hardest tasks I have been faced with in my life. I know that setting boundaries is essential and important to keep our babies safe, but explaining them to people in our lives can be nerve-wracking. Boundaries often involve hurt feelings, judgment, and can lead to resentment. Dealing with OCD makes it harder for me to explain them to people because I will obsess and ruminate over the reactions from the people I told. I hate to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Basically after all that stress, I will sit there and wonder if it was even worth it to set a boundary in the first place. I know though how important it is for my kids to set boundaries and stick to them. It is healthy for our family, and my goal is to keep my kids safe. Our toddlers and babies don’t understand if they shouldn’t be around something or what can make them sick. I am the parent, and I have to be their voice, even if it makes me uncomfortable. Standing up for our families and kids is important.

With my anxiety and OCD, making decisions like that can sometimes be a daunting task. I will play out scenarios in my head with every possible outcome until I make myself feel sick. I hate that I do that, but it is very hard for me to control. For me personally, having kids has made it a lot more challenging for me to voice my opinions and stand my ground. I know a lot of people want access to my kids, but it is important for me to remember that I am their parent and make the decisions.

One thing I have realized about setting boundaries is that you have to be on the same page with your spouse. If we forget to set boundaries before we go somewhere, it can turn into a sticky situation where I end up feeling upset. When we communicate and are on the same page before we go somewhere, it becomes easier for us to remain a united front. It can also be done in a nice way without getting upset. We just have to remain firm. Setting boundaries for your family isn’t easy for anyone, but it is so important for your sanity. Remember we are the voice for our children and always need to protect them regardless of how others feel.