November’s Ink Ripples topic is remembrance/thankfulness, and I’m taking up the latter for my post this month. I have a really good memory, at least I did until I had kids. I had heard that being a mom messes with your ability to remember stuff, but man, I didn’t expect it to mess with me so badly.
I am now the type of person who needs to keep lists in order to remember anything, like anything at all. And all those precious moments of the kiddos that at the time I thought I could never, ever forget…yeah, if I don’t have a picture of it or if I didn’t write it down, it’s gone…forever!
I’m not sure what it is about motherhood that has fried my brain. Maybe it’s the lack of sleep. Maybe it’s because I primarily hang out with little ones who have the attention span of, well, a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old and it’s rubbing off on me. Maybe it’s that I’m now keeping track of two other people and have to remember all their stuff for them.
Did so-and-so go to the bathroom lately? Did we brush teeth this morning? Who needs to get dressed today (probably me!)? Is it bath night? Who has a doctor appointment this month? And now that The Boy is in school, there are a whole slew of other things to keep track of. Pretty much the only thing we never forget is eating. No one forgets to eat around here!
I’m told that eventually my brain will regain its former glory of being able to remember something for more than five seconds. I’m skeptical but hopeful…
Wait, what was I talking about again?
Have you joined the #inkripples movement yet? Ripples in the Inkwell is a monthly meme created by Kai Strand, Mary Waibel, and Katie L. Carroll(me!). On the second Monday of each month, we post on a particular topic. The idea is that we toss a word, idea, or image into the inkwell and each post is a new ripple. There’s no wrong way to do it and we’d love for you to participate (full details here). Be sure to provide a link to your own #inkripple in the comments! Look for details on next year’s ink ripples topics in December!
Ha. If it makes you feel any better, I’d forgotten about this stage of motherhood. So, yes, you regain your capacity and thankfully forget those more stressful times. You even remember some of those seemingly long forgotten memories. A tiny one year old hand slipping into yours. The phase your son went through when he rolled his r’s like a latin lover. Stuff you thought you’d forgotten crop up at the funniest times and delight you anew.
That actually does make me feel better. Helps to know those moments may not be lost for good and that, yes, one day this will all be a distant memory (that I have not forgotten!). 🙂
Welcome to motherhood’s Laundry List. I became a dedicated lister when I realized I was expected to hold four people’s to-do and to-go-to lists in my head…
It is a crazy thing to be responsible for so many people’s schedules.
Lists are good. Without mine I’d wander around the house wondering what I had planned to do. The precious memories return, at least some of them. Take pictures though. Lots of pictures. They are priceless.
Oh my goodness, I have so many pictures! I don’t really have time to look at them now, but one day I know I’ll be happy to have them.
Okay, this scares me a little, because I’m already one of those people that has to write everything down. I’ll start forgetting my own name if I ever have kids!
Well, it’s all worth it when you see those little faces every day.
It didn’t hit me (the memory thing) until my first book release. Until then I was juggling home schooling, 3 kids, teaching 75+ children twice a week and managing other teachers, all while maintaining a home with some finesse. I think it’s the marketing that put me over the edge. We all have a breaking point, eh?
Wow! I’m impressed by all you were managing, Crystal. I’m not nearly doing all that and still need to keep some major organization in my life. 🙂