A notification from the pharmacy about a prescription ready for pick-up. A reminder from the school about a fundraiser happening at a local restaurant. An email alerting me that my youngest child’s lunch account balance has dwindled down to just $1.20. A ping about the next orthodontic appointment. A text from my partner inquiring about the shoe size our middle child will need come summer (as if I possess the ability to predict the growth spurts of my children). And that was just before noon!
The mental burden of motherhood is no joke, and it’s a reality that many women face daily. Our smartphones, while somewhat helpful, often amplify this stress by flooding us with reminders—reminders of things we dare not forget. Leah Ruppanner, a writer from Australia, aptly describes the mental load as “the planning work needed to ensure the kids attend their dance lessons, the fridge is stocked for dinner, and the smoke detector battery is replaced.” This constant stream of tasks is relentless and disproportionately affects mothers.
Ah, the beeping smoke detector. We have one in our basement that seems to taunt me, and I’ll admit, locating the source of that noise can be quite the challenge. I know it requires either a 9-volt or a couple of double A’s—but somehow, I forget every time. I’m likely out of both, which only adds to my ever-growing to-do list that’s longer than a CVS receipt.
And given the importance of that list, I’ll probably misplace it before I even reach the store. Instead, I’ll dig through the chaotic depths of my purse to find the boarding pass from our last trip, which will only add to my frustration when I’m searching for the list I desperately need. The crumpled receipt for a drink and a pack of gum doesn’t help matters either.
Then there are the barrage of emails flooding my inbox today. I received updates about my seventh grader’s grades being posted online (and yes, I have some opinions about online grade systems). Not to mention the avalanche of school notifications regarding safety protocols, reminders for parent-teacher conferences, and details about the upcoming spring dance. Oh, and let’s not forget about Little League’s opening day, the dodgeball permission slip, and my head is on the verge of exploding.
And the messages don’t end there. I received several texts in a group chat detailing the game schedules for my boys’ basketball tournament. Plus, reminders about baseball practice—complete with notes about gear and the necessity of wearing pants. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any more hectic, I’m reminded to book hotels for our upcoming baseball trips.
Today, however, was a brief respite from the usual chaos of group texts; the notifications didn’t flood in with questions, comments, and an onslaught of emojis that typically leave us all ready to toss our phones in frustration. Perhaps I should just add “YouTube how to fix wall” to my mental checklist since I can’t seem to avoid minor disasters. Just kidding, I’ll probably just hang a picture over any damage and pretend it never happened.
I understand I could silence notifications, but there are two main issues with that approach. First, I’m not sure how to turn them off. Second—and more importantly—I have a tendency to forget things. I heavily rely on reminders to keep everything on track for my family. It’s one thing for me to miss a dental appointment after a reminder; it’s another for my children to miss practices or show up at events on the wrong day. Trust me, I’ve done that at a birthday party once. At Monkey Joe’s.
So, to all the moms preparing for another whirlwind of reminders, alerts, and endless notifications, remember to take a deep breath (and perhaps indulge in some peanut M&Ms).
But if you happen to pop over to the store for those M&Ms, could you grab some batteries as well? And if you’re feeling extra kind, I could use a new Fitbit because mine hasn’t proven to be as waterproof as I had hoped, and I certainly need to increase my steps after indulging in those peanut M&Ms.
For more insights on managing the challenges of motherhood, you can explore our other blog posts or check out resources like Make A Mom for comprehensive information. Furthermore, News Medical offers excellent resources for those diving deeper into pregnancy and home insemination topics.
In summary, the modern mom is bombarded with a plethora of notifications, reminders, and communications that can feel overwhelming at times. Balancing these responsibilities while ensuring the family’s needs are met can be a juggling act. However, with a little humor and a few coping strategies, we can navigate through the daily chaos together.