So, we’ve been very fortunate that my husband hasn’t had to travel much at all since our daughter was born. That’s about to change.

He’s going to be hitting the road (or the air, if we’re being accurate) more frequently in the coming months and I have really been struggling with how far is too far when it comes to our home and safety.

We live in one of the safest communities in the entire country. (Literally. I’ve looked up crime statistics.)

We have a dog.

We have a deadbolt and a chain on the door.

I have my trusty softball bat.

I’m still insisting upon a security system.

Actually, what I really want is a German Shepherd that’s trained to take down armed intruders (Yes, they do exist) but I’m settling for the security system.

…with motion detectors.

…and a panic button.

You see, the thought, the obsession that arises whenever I think about my husband traveling is this:

I can run with one kid. I can’t run with two. Someone’s going to break in and I’m going to have to decide who to save. I’m going to have to choose between my babies.

I know this is OCD being mean again.

I want to challenge the thought.

I want to tell the disorder to shove it.

I can’t. Not tonight. OCD wins this round.

I’ll try again tomorrow.

 

How do you find the line between being proactive about safety and excessive worry or hypervigilance?