Once upon a time, my brain was a well-oiled machine, full of fluffy gray matter and all those intricate connections. These days, it feels more like a plate of scrambled eggs. I can’t seem to misplace it, but it often feels like it’s on vacation. Confusion seems to be my new companion, and I find myself forgetting things I used to know by heart, like what day it is or even my own name. If you’ve ever tried to figure out why your little one suddenly detests strawberries after loving them the day before, you might just get what I’m saying.
Forgetfulness and a foggy mind are part of the changes that begin the moment you first become pregnant. Sure, it was amusing when those moments of “pregnancy brain” started showing up with your first child. Fast forward to years later, and you might feel like your kids have turned you into a scatterbrain.
If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing what I like to call “Mom Brain.” Here’s a list of signs to look out for:
- You mistakenly call one of your kids by their sibling’s name for hours.
- A shopping trip without a list? Not happening.
- You misplace your keys at least seven times a week.
- Your coffee goes missing a minimum of seven times a week too.
- Someone asks for your phone number and you blank out.
- You lose your train of thought mid-sentence.
- You struggle to recall what you were about to say.
- You discover your keys in the refrigerator.
- You find the milk in the pantry instead of the fridge.
- You finally drink a glass of water that you poured hours ago.
- You walk into a room and forget why you’re there.
- Your sentences make no sense at all.
- You accidentally put your baby’s pants on backward.
- You can’t recall the last time you fed the cats.
- All your houseplants are dead, even the artificial ones.
- Your social security number? What’s that again?
- You can’t remember what you had for breakfast two days ago.
- You forget you’re supposed to make dinner and it’s now way past time.
- You misspell your name multiple times before finally getting it right.
- Someone asks your kids’ ages, and you ask what year it is.
- You can’t remember how long you’ve been married without doing math.
- You zone out for long stretches of time.
- At least once a day, you lose track of one child in your own house.
- You forget to feed the cats again.
- You spend ten minutes searching for your phone while you’re on it.
- Leftovers? Oops, forgot to put them in the fridge.
- You walk out of your room ready to leave, only to realize you’re not wearing pants.
- You try using your car remote to unlock your front door.
- You make the connection that your son’s middle name is the same as your brother’s only when he turns two.
- You cheer every time someone says something positive, even your boss.
If you recognize yourself in at least three of these, chances are you’re dealing with a bit of Mom Brain. For me, it seems to get worse with each child I have. As they grow older, I find myself strategizing just to keep up with the chaos.
There’s a bit of a myth circulating that Mom Brain never really goes away. It’s funny when you find glue in the fridge after a messy craft project, but it’s not as amusing when you burn dinner for the fourth time because you got sidetracked by cartoons. Yep, once upon a time, I had a fully functioning brain, and the only reason it’s still here is that I can’t physically lose it.
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In conclusion, if you find these signs resonate with you, you’re probably navigating the delightful, yet chaotic world of Mom Brain. Embrace the journey, and remember, you’re not alone in this!