"Mommy Brain"
October 12th 2010 20:15
Signature Tune
I always took pride in my steel trap memory. I could remember the name of a person I'd met for 15 seconds, and most likely tell you what he or she was wearing. I could recall a weeknight dinner menu from 1992. I love "to do" lists, but didn't often need to write them down, but I made them so I could cross things off. Then, I got pregnant.
"Prego brain" seemed to pop up here and there during my first pregnancy. I would forget little details, things at the store, seemingly normal moments when we all blank. After my older son was born, I noticed it stuck around, morphing into "Mommy Brain." I heard it would go away when I stopped nursing, but when I dropped Weston's final feeding at 13 months, I couldn't seem to shake the temporary moments of forgetfulness.
Fast-forward to pregnancy and baby No. 2, and I am now convinced there is something to this folklore. Names? Forget it. I can remember the news (thankfully!), I can remember teeny tidbits about guests on the show, but I find myself blanking on names more than ever. It's becoming an embarrassment. I also forget what I am doing far more often than I should. Example? Nearly every night I am in the middle of making dinner and feeding my younger son when my older son will ask for a drink. When I reach for a cup, it triggers something that reminds me to feed the dog. Before I know it, Weston is still thirsty, the dog is hungry, something is boiling on the stove and I'm folding laundry.
There is an upside to my newfound nuttiness: my boys. I wouldn't take that steel trap back for anything, if it meant giving up those sweet little boys. And when you think about it, the idea of "Mommy Brain" makes sense. We're all juggling -- work, kids, aging parents, pets, the PTA, trying to fit in the workout you need, a trip to the grocery store, two minutes to yourself. And with all those responsibilities on the brain, with other lives counting on you, of course our brains start to overload. If memories and moments with my kids are taking over the area once reserved for "names of people met at a cocktail party," I'm happy to give up that real estate. And, yes, every now and then, I just may play the "Mommy Brain" card, but I'll never tell.
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