Momnesia

So USA Today had a story called, "Babies Can Cause Momnesia." After reading it, I rejoiced knowing "mommy brain" is not some excuse mothers use to explain their ditzy moments. Moms, we are not crazy! I included some quotes from the article.


"But women don't get dumber after childbirth. Instead, like sleep-deprived medical residents who learn on the job, their brains are getting a workout. "You are learning a lot," she says. "Once your mommy brain gets readjusted, you get more efficient, and you become smarter and learn things faster, but it won't happen all at once."
Mothers' priorities often change dramatically while caring for a baby. They need to be "hyper vigilant" about their infants, who may develop symptoms of illness that are apparent only to those who have scrutinized their every coo and cry, Brizendine says. "You're on the mother beat all the time. It requires certain parts of your brain to work hyper, hyper, hyper well. But it requires other parts of your brain to play second fiddle." The cost of that vigilance can be a little ditziness, and that is a price many moms are willing to pay.

Women's plummeting estrogen levels, which lurch from "incredibly high" in late pregnancy to "virtually non-existent" after delivery, can make it hard to focus. While estrogen plays a key role in fertility, it also acts as a neurotransmitter, sending signals in the brain.
Breast-feeding can prolong the mental haze, Brizendine says, by circulating hormones that help mothers relax and promote a "mellow, mildly unfocused" feeling."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-03-03-momnesia_N.htm


So, if I continue to breastfeed Isaac til he's one, I have six more months to blame my ditzy moments on hormones, right?:)

I was trying to think of the classic momnesia moments I've had:
-gone to grocery store w/out my wallet (done that twice)
-pick up the phone and forget who I was going to call
-walk down to basement and forget what I was going there for
-can't think of the right word when I'm talking-that happens alot
AND
-the first 4 months of my kid's lives are a blur

It's probably true that God gives us this "momnesia" so that we'll have more than one kid! I would be hesitant to have more kids if I could vividly remember the labor pain, nursing problems, sleep-deprivation, etc.:)

So, do any of you have good "momnesia" stories?

Wisdom of Mothers

Today I am thankful for all the other mothers out there who offer a listening ear and a bit of wisdom. I've been struggling the past couple weeks with my role as a Mom. I think this is the first time I've been really discontent over a long period of time. Maybe winter and lack of sunshine is contributing to it. I love my boys, but it's been hard to like them the past weeks! Caleb is constantly whining and asks questions endlessly. Isaac doesn't sleep as much as I would like. I've been praying and asking God for wisdom and strength. The past couple days I've gotten some good practical tips from other Moms. It's amazing how having a few more tactics to try gives renewed energy and hope! So here are the tips I heard.

One Mom would institute talking time-outs when her child was Caleb's age. It was good for Mom's sanity and it taught the child the skill of being quiet sometimes. Why didn't I think of that before?!

A different Mom had a tip for whining. Whenever her son started whining and they were both losing control, she would stop and just hug him. Her son would calm down quickly and she could then get him to use a non-whiny voice. Again, why didn't I think of this? Obviously a child will respond better to affection than a raised voice.

So, I'm thankful for God answering my prayers and offering new perspective through other women.

Anyone have any parenting tips they've found helpful? Even if you don't have kids yet, you can still chime in!