Friday, February 27, 2009
“Mommy Brain” – It Really Does Exist!
By Tracy S, VP of Mommyhood and Expert Working Mom, CharlotteSmartyPants
Ok – so I think I have officially lost my mind! I mean, I consider myself to be a fairly bright and organized person, but lately I cannot seem to remember ANYTHING! I was first “diagnosed” with “mommy brain” over 5 years ago when I got pregnant with my son, and it’s certainly stuck with me through the years. But I think this past Monday was definitely the icing on the cake!!
I was getting ready to leave work and go pick up my kids. I made it as far as my office building lobby when I realized I could not find my keys in my purse. So I trek back up to my office to see if maybe I left them on my desk. Unfortunately, I could not get back on to my floor because I had forgotten my security badge that day at home (item number 1). So I had to wait until someone else was leaving before I could even get past Fort Knox security. I finally get to my desk and my keys are no where to be found. This is when I start to panic! Obviously I had them when I GOT to work, but now I have no way of getting home or more importantly, picking up my kids from daycare!!! So I mentally retraced my steps from the morning and deduce that I must have left them in the coffee shop that morning while I was busy chatting with a fellow co-worker (coffee shop is now closed!) So I call my husband (NOT a call I wanted to make), who I knew would already be on his way home so he could come get his family.
The conversation goes something like this:
“Yes, I’m almost home”
“What do you mean you lost your keys?”
“Have you checked to see if your car is even still there?” (No, I have not checked yet)
“Don’t you have one of those little mini check cards on your key ring?? You better check online-banking right away to make sure nobody’s been charging on it …”
That was when I had to tell him there were no worries there because coincidentally I had just cancelled my card for that account that morning because I somehow LOST my debit card the week prior after getting gas!!! (He was real happy about that one, too!) And to make matters even worse, I then informed him that if he needed to call me back, he wouldn’t be able to because my cell phone battery was completely dead!
About 5 minutes later I ended up finding my keys in some random side pocket of my briefcase but unfortunately by the time I called him back, he had already maneuvered his way through crazy traffic and was almost at the daycare.
All of this coming off the heels of me leaving my Ipod at the YMCA 2 weeks prior (thank goodness someone turned it in) and losing my glasses (still can’t find those)! As well as a trip to the store only to realize I forgot my purse (the mini check card sure came in handy then!) I will say though, I was slightly vindicated the next morning when my husband had to call me after dropping off the kids at daycare to let me know HE had forgotten all of the baby’s bottles for the day at home and could I please drop them off on my way to work! Would that be “Daddy Brain”??
Anyway, Monday for me was like that point when everything comes to a head and you realize you need help – serious help! So I did a quick search online on how to improve your memory. Lots of scientific stuff out there about brain neurons, etc … bottom line - exercise daily, reduce stress, get lots of sleep, and eat right. Problem is, as a mom, those first three can be a major challenge (ahhh … maybe that’s why we get mommy brain to begin with!) I’m looking for a quick fix, so I figured I’d try and incorporate some “brain healthy” foods into my diet. Apparently foods containing antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins, especially B6, B12, and folic acid appear to promote healthy brain functioning. So eat up on broccoli, blueberries, spinach, asparagus, strawberries, melons, black beans and other legumes, citrus fruits, and soybeans and maybe we can kick this thing!! Oh – and apparently playing memory type games can help too, so get your kids involved!
Join my support group and share your funny “mommy brain” stories as well. (Or at least make me feel better that I’m not alone!)
6 comments:
I cannot tell you how many times Mommy Brain has occured in my house! The best was the day I went to swim laps at the YMCA and stressed out for a good 10 minutes while I searched for my swim goggles. Went through my bag, my kids bags, etc. I was so mad that I couldn't find them. Finally I decided to go back out to the car to look. As I went to put my shirt back on over my bathing suit, I realized that my goggles had been on my head the whole time.
You are SO not alone! Of course my Mommy Brain is so bad that I cannot think of a good example to share right now. But I promise there have been many Mommy Brain moments I am very embarrassed about.
~Kara
Is Mommy Brain the reason I am CONSTANTLY calling my children the wrong names?!?! I only have three - you think I could figure it out.
Is this the reason why I get in my car, start driving, and then forget where I was headed?
I can't even tell you how many times I have 'lost' my keys...only to find them in my purse (after looking more than once),hanging right where they should be and yes, even in the fridge!
About a year ago, I was complaining about my poor short-term memory to my co-workers. I bought some Ginko Biloba because I heard that it helps improve your memory. A few months later, one of my co-workers asked me "So how is that Ginko working for you?" I looked at the bottle sitting on my desk, looked at her and said..."I don't know - I keep forgetting to take it!" We laughed for a long time after that one!
I actually have been taking Omega-3 and Vitamin B2 for almost a year (oh, and I love broccoli)and it does help...some. I still manage to misplace my keys at least once a week! But - remember that B2 along with other enzymes help metabolize fat and that Omega-3 is great for your heart...so if your memory doesn't improve at least you are getting some other benefits from taking them!
July 4, 2007, 8 1/2 months pregnant with my 2nd... It took me three different tries to go the right way to the K'ville fireworks! I think "Mommy brain" was in hyperdrive because (to my great surprise) I went into labor that night! I can't even count all the major mom brain moments since then...
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