tw discussion of gun violence
My daughter is almost 2 and Im due with my second in October. I dont have a lot of mom friends IRL so I dont know if my thoughts are reasonable or if I have underlying anxiety (definitely had PPD PPA but feel much better).
I was born overseas and moved to America at age 2 so I dont have deep ties to this country. I grew up here and had my daughter here. My husbands family has been here for generations.
I desperately dont want to raise my kids in this country. I felt this way before having kids but after giving birth my feelings have become intense. The main reason is the uniquely American problem of gun proliferation and the weak (non existent) response of our government when we have another mass shooting at a school. I know statistically its unlikely it will affect us, but it is still such an atrocious and devastating threat that makes me feel absolutely frozen in fear at the thought of sending my daughter to elementary school.
My husband and I are educated and have very solid careers here, but we are looking at trying to immigrate to northern Europe and raise our kids there. My goal is to leave before we enroll in elementary school. I think about our escape plan every day. My other motivation is socialized health care....
Please tell me, American moms, do these thoughts keep you up at night too?