Nathalie Rutherford | OCD and Anxiety Therapist

Starting a family is a big decision—and not everyone desires it. But if having children is something you truly want, this message is for you.

I’ve always known I wanted to be a mom, and I wasn’t going to let OCD take that away from me. Yes, it’s a challenge. But I choose to learn from my OCD, to let it shape me into the kind of mom I’m meant to be for my girls. Every day, I strive to do my best, knowing that the struggle holds me accountable and pushes me to grow into a better version of myself for them.

Your values—not your fears—should guide you. Yes, your kids might inherit anxiety or OCD, but that’s okay. Why? Because you will be the perfect person to teach them that anxiety is not dangerous. You’ll show them that they can experience difficult emotions and tolerate them with resilience.

By modeling how to live with anxiety and manage it, you’re giving them a set of emotional tools that most people don’t even learn until adulthood—if at all. You’ll teach them how to express their feelings rather than bury them, and how to navigate life’s inevitable challenges with resilience.

Don’t underestimate your ability to be an amazing parent just because you live with anxiety. In fact, your experience can make you a better, more empathetic guide for your children. You’ve already walked through the fire, and now you can pass on the wisdom.

ETA: If you're in a season of waiting—struggling with infertility, or hoping for a child but feeling stuck in the process—I want you to hear this: Your desire to be a parent is valid, even if it feels like your path to parenthood is taking longer than expected. The waiting can be agonizing, and it can stir up feelings of doubt, fear, and even guilt. But just because the journey is tough doesn’t mean it won’t happen. I’m rooting for each of you to live out your values and have the beautiful life you’ve always dreamt of, whatever that looks like❤️