Once upon a time, I had a brain that functioned seamlessly, brimming with fluffy gray matter and neatly organized thoughts. Nowadays, it feels more like a plate of scrambled eggs. I’m convinced it’s still intact only because I can’t misplace it physically. Confusion and forgetfulness have become my daily companions, often leaving me puzzled over simple things like the day of the week or even my own name. If you’ve tried reasoning with a toddler about their sudden aversion to strawberries—one day a favorite, the next a foe—you know what I’m talking about.
The gradual decline in brain function starts from the very first moment of pregnancy. Initially, it was a lighthearted joke: “Oh, I must have pregnancy brain!” (Cue laughter from friends). Fast forward a few years, and you might find yourself wondering if parenting has turned you into a scatterbrain (Cue tears instead).
Wondering if you might be experiencing this phenomenon too? I refer to it as “Mom Brain.” Here are some classic signs:
- You’ve been mixing up your kids’ names for hours on end.
- Shopping without a list? Impossible.
- You misplace your keys at least seven times a week.
- Your coffee goes missing just as often.
- Someone asks for your phone number, and you draw a blank.
- You lose your train of thought mid-sentence.
- Remembering what you intended to say? Never happens.
- You find your keys chilling in the refrigerator.
- The milk? It’s in the pantry.
- That glass of water you poured hours ago? Finally consumed.
- You walk into a room and forget why.
- Your speech often resembles gibberish.
- You accidentally dress your baby in backward pants.
- You can’t recall the last time you fed the cats.
- All your houseplants—real or fake—are lifeless.
- Your social security number? A distant memory.
- Breakfast from two days ago? No clue.
- You forget it’s your turn to make dinner, and it’s now way past time to eat.
- You misspell your own name multiple times while checking a bill.
- When asked your kids’ ages, you can’t remember the current year.
- You can’t count how many years you’ve been married without doing the math.
- You sometimes zone out for no apparent reason.
- At least once a day, you lose a child within your own home.
- The cats might go hungry…again.
- You search for your phone while already on it.
- Leftovers? They’re still sitting out.
- You dash out of your bedroom ready to leave, then realize you forgot to put on pants.
- You attempt to unlock your front door with your car remote.
- You only discover that your son’s middle name is the same as your younger brother’s after two years.
- You cheer “Yay!” for any positive comment, even from your boss.
If you can relate to three or more of these signs, chances are you’re dealing with a case of Mom Brain. It seems to worsen with each child I have, and as they grow, I find myself strategizing just to keep a step ahead.
There’s a common myth that Mom Brain is a permanent condition. Sure, it’s funny when I find a glue stick in the fridge after crafting, but it’s far less amusing when I burn dinner because I got sidetracked by the chaos of a cartoon. Once upon a time, my brain was fully operational, and now, it’s just hanging on by a thread.
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In summary, Mom Brain can feel overwhelming, but you’re certainly not alone if you’re experiencing these symptoms. Embrace the chaos, and remember to laugh at the little things!