I feel anxious and overwhelmed. I'm worried that my daughter (Sarah) will freak out and be hurt if I stop nursing her, especially if I do it wrong. I am filled with doubt about what I'm doing. I know that deep down I want to wean my daughter, but when I think of actually doing it and of what might happen, I doubt my choice and decide to keep nursing.

I want to learn that my needs and desires are important and that taking care of myself will not destroy anybody else.

This situation is teaching me that I worry about my capacity to destroy Sarah and about her ability to cope with a "normal" developmental challenge. I also realize that I don't want Sarah to be mad at me - I must fear her anger and worry that she won't love me as much if I do something she doesn't like. When I fear my daughter's (and/or anybody else's) anger or displeasure about a choice that I make, I begin to doubt my choice and become paralyzed or back down. I continue doing what I think the other person wants and put my needs and desires on hold.

I would like to feel confident in my decision and move forward with my choice to wean Sarah. I want to stop hearing all these doubting, critical voices in my head.

I have the opportunity to learn that I can withstand my daughter's (and anybody else's) anger and displeasure. In fact, by tolerating Sarah's anger and displeasure, I give her a gift: she knows that her anger is not lethal and that her mommy loves her no matter what.

With this knowledge, I can begin to prioritize my needs knowing that doing so is not only best for me, but for my child.

By valuing my needs and desires first, I will demonstrate to myself (and begin to believe) that I am valuable and worthwhile.

Click here to sign-up for a free sample session with Claudia!

________________________________________________