well, I have to confess I am only on week 4 but this area seemed the right one to post in. My husband will be going away for ten days in September and I'm already petrified. I have 3 and 6 year old boys and no family nearby. The last few times he has gone away I and/or the kids have gotten quite sick with flus etc. This is when my anxiety started in full tilt. I'm terrified "what if" this happens again. I feel so lost and afraid. I worry I will be unable to care properly for my kids (yes, this has never happened and he is gone about a week a month). I feel guilty saying anything to him because he has a high pressure job abd I don't want to worry him. I end up on the phone to Mom who is a 5 hour plane ride away. How do I stop this thinking pattern? I know we need to challenge ourselves and face the fear but UGH!!! Any comments greatly appreciated since I'm not this far along yet. Would I do myself harm to ask someone to stay with me?

Hi Dale:

Maybe you could practice some positive "what if" thinking and consider this time to yourself as a challenge to improve. What if you did enjoy the time to yourself with your children alone, what if you planned some fun activities for you and the kids that you all could look forward to, what if you planned something special with a friend (concert, movie, dinner out, etc), what if your husband being away freed up more time for you to work on the program, what if you set some goals (big or small as you like) and accomplished them.

This positive what if thinking has really helped me. I am leaving tomorrow for a one week training seminar, I'll have to fly, I'm nervous about it, but I have been filling my thoughts with these positive what-if's, what if I relaxed and enjoyed the flight, what if I accomplished this, I would feel so GREAT!
Before starting this program, I would have been in a state of frenzy by now, but I really feel much calmer. I hope this advice helps - let me know how you do.