Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Mommy Brain or Senior Moment by Diane Burton



I am so glad that scientists, and the general public, are finally recognizing there’s a reason mothers forget things. And not just new mothers. It’s called “mommy brain.” With all that mothers have going on in their lives it’s no wonder they forget. They have to balance children’s activities, work (paid or volunteer) outside the home, and marriage. Plus housekeeping. Moms are bound to forget things. When my children were younger, I had a huge office-type calendar on which we wrote our activities using a multi-colored pen. Four people, four colors. I let everyone know if it wasn’t on the calendar they were in deep doo-doo. I couldn’t be expected to pick someone up from baseball practice if I didn’t know about it. Telling me didn’t count.

Fast forward several years. With only two of us, you’d think I could remember things. Nope. It has to go on the calendar—regular size now. I even have a calendar on my computer for blog guests and my own blogging assignments. So why did I forget that today was my turn to blog here? Because I didn’t look at the calendar.

Whenever I schedule my posts (usually the night before), I’m amazed that some of the other authors have their posts scheduled so far in advance. I admire people who are well prepared. That is not me. I’m the last-minute type. I fritter away my time, or get so involved in my current WIP, then rush around to meet my deadlines.

When those of us of a certain age (don’t you love that expression that encompasses so many years?) forget things, we use the term “senior moment.” I think senior moment is mommy brain grown up. Frankly, I like the term mommy brain better. Either way, that’s why this post is late.

At least, I didn’t forget altogether. Right?

When Diane Burton isn’t blogging here on the 8th and 30th of each month or on her own site http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/ on Mondays, she’s writing romantic adventure stories that take place on Earth and beyond.This week, she left her brain in outer space.

12 comments:

Jannine Gallant said...

I'm a "get it done in advance so I don't have to think about it anymore" person. I hate leaving things until the last minute. Maybe it's the control freak in me. But, hey, at least you're here this morning!

Margo Hoornstra said...

For crying out loud. I was SURE I'd be the FIRST to comment, but OH NO! Someone best me to it. (KIDDING!) I must be a hybrid of sorts. And it's not procrastination either. Or is it? I tell my family the same thing. If it's not written down, it doesn't or will never, exist.

Betsy Ashton said...

My family lives by the "if it's not written down" motto. Our son recently relearned his lesson. We sent him a list of available weekends for a summer visit. He asked if he could visit on a weekend when we are out of town. We told him we'd leave the light on...

Diane Burton said...

Jannine, control freak? LOL I knew that about you.

Margo, glad I'm not the only one who needs to write things down.

Diane Burton said...

Betsy, that is so funny.

Alicia Dean said...

OMG...so true! I am definitely a last minute person. And, I'm a calendar/to do list person. And, I still manage to overlook/forget things. I also like 'mommy brain' better!

Alison Henderson said...

I still use a big wall calendar with boxes for each day. If something isn't written on the calendar, it doesn't happen! Also, I'll confess to doing everything I can (including schedule my posts here) well in advance, because I'm SURE I'll forget it if I don't.

Diane Burton said...

Alicia, kindred spirits. LOL

Alison, I should follow your example. :)

Unknown said...

I'm one of those organized people, but there are tricks to it. That means a constantly updated calendar with reminders that pop up not only on my laptop, but on my phone. When I get up in the morning, I am reminded that I have a post going live (it has usually been pre-scheduled) and I write posts a month or more in advance whenever I can. Right now I'm on my promo cycle for Fairest of the Faire so I REALLY have to be organized, or I'll forget things! Ack!

We women are generally busy folk, with many irons in the fire, and it takes some organization to keep those irons hot yet not on fire!

Diane Burton said...

Good points, Susabelle. Good luck with the promo for Fairest of the Faire

Leah St. James said...

Wow, I feel so much better! I'm definitely in the last-minute category! I also use the big wall calendar in the kitchen and am constantly nagging hubby to list his appointments on it. He insists telling me about it (usually when I'm doing three other things) counts. It doesn't. I have always called it input overload -- the theory that my brain can hold only x-number of pieces of data before it starts dumping some of them. I like "mommy brain" better!

Diane Burton said...

LOL, Leah. I'm with you. Telling me doesn't count.