A friend of mine jokingly suggested I write about the struggles of staying connected on the phone now that we’re moms. As much as it was said in jest, it rings true! Since stepping into motherhood, my phone skills have taken a nosedive. Pre-baby, I was all about engaging in lengthy chats, but now I’m the one who calls you in a hurried whisper because my little one is either awake and demanding attention or napping, and I’m tiptoeing around hoping it lasts. I genuinely want to chat with everyone about everything, but my tiny boss has other plans. Here’s why I can’t come to the phone right now:
- I planned to call you, but then my baby decided to have a major spit-up session, leading me to a cleaning frenzy. I noticed the floors were dirty, so I mopped them. Just as I finished, the baby started crying, feeling neglected for a whole ten minutes!
- The baby is napping, giving me a fleeting window of 30 minutes to an hour where I could: shower, do laundry, tidy up toys, clean the kitchen, and pay bills. Instead, I find myself on the couch, frustrated that I can’t even call my friends.
- It’s evening, and the baby is finally asleep. All I want is to unwind in front of something mindless on TV. Even a chat about that seems too taxing right now.
- I was going to call you, but then I got caught up in my to-do list, and suddenly it’s 10 PM. I need to sleep before the baby wakes for a midnight feed.
- I got lost in the depths of social media — Facebook, Instagram, or some celebrity gossip site. You know how it goes!
- I opted for a peaceful meal in silence instead of on the phone.
- My husband also wants to talk, and I made some kind of lifelong commitment to him (there was a ring involved, so it’s serious).
- Honestly, I can’t even find my phone half the time.
- My boss (the baby) is quite demanding. She insists on playtime, singing, reading, and outings. It’s hard to balance work and life when my little one sets the agenda.
- I feel too exhausted to have an interesting conversation. Combine that with the fact that I have nothing noteworthy to share, and our chats might go like this:
You: Hey! How are you?
Me: Good, and you?
You: Great! What’s new?
Me: Not much. You?
You: (Shares fascinating updates)
Me: Cool!
You: (More interesting stuff)
Me: Sounds great!
You: Okay, I gotta run but let’s catch up later.
Me: Sure, bye!
You: (Thinking: Has she always been this dull?)
Me: (Thinking: C’mon, I’m not that boring! I need to do better.)
Honestly, I like you too much to put you through that!
For more insightful perspectives, check out this engaging post about communication. If you’re interested in the process of conceiving, this resource on in vitro fertilization is invaluable. And for the best tools in home insemination, visit this site for fertility kits.
Summary:
Motherhood has dramatically shifted my ability to communicate over the phone. From unexpected messes to demanding nap schedules, I find myself juggling numerous responsibilities that often leave little time for social calls. Between cleaning up after my baby, completing chores, and trying to enjoy some quiet time, the thought of a phone conversation can feel overwhelming. Even when I have the time, I worry about having anything interesting to share. Ultimately, I cherish my friends too much to subject them to my mundane updates.