The best way to conquer fear is to do the very thing you're afraid of. Shine the light in the dark corners and the monsters that hide there will go away. Come up with a plan of what you will say when people find out, because people will find out. Part of learning to live as a SO (sex offender) is learning that parts of your life are up for public scrutiny. It requires letting go of what others will say, how they judge you and learning to make the best of your life. People who judge are the jerks, remember that. It's easy to glance in the window at someone's life and make a snap judgement, it takes someone special to take the time to look at the whole picture.

Time makes most things easier, and this is not an easy journey. Try to keep perspective, there are people somewhere in the world who are having to deal with more than you're dealing with.

I've learned to stop worrying about the "what ifs". I only focus on what I'm going through today. What JustAnother said, make a plan on what you will do. I know some have gone and told their neighbors when they fist moved in about their LO's offense. This works great when it's a Romeo & Juliet or sexting case, but anything else is harder to do.

I personally, no longer care about what others think about me or my family. I only care about the opinions and thoughts who know us all. Those who are not quick to judge a person by a label, but by their character today.