March 4, 2008 | Health, Pregnancy
I love that. I think moms have been aware of it for generations - eons, perhaps. But USA Today has just published ’scientific’ evidence that it really happens. Oh, wait, did I forget to tell you what it is? That’s because I have a 2 year old, a 3 year old, and any day now will have a newborn. Momnesia is the fact of life that after a woman has a baby she suddenly becomes forgetful - sometimes to the point of embarrassment. A friend of mine went to the grocery store without her shirt on (she realized it in the parking lot and went back home… no worries!). I remember not being able to speak well - I just couldn’t remember words. I’d forget to put on shoes or completely black out when it came to friends’ names.
But, it’s no longer just a theory. They’ve put a name to it - kind of catchy, I think! Momnesia. Yes, I’ve had it. Probably still do. And it will probably get worse when baby #3 makes his appearance. But have no fear, dads. Momnesia is usually accompanied by a super vigilance about other things - basically about all things baby-related. Feeding, changing, temperature, keeping small objects away… We may lose our minds a bit, but we’re completely capable of challenging tasks like changing a diaper while singing a lullaby, rocking side to side (why is it that mommies of little ones can’t stop rocking, even when we’re not holding babies?), and helping big sister with homework all at once.
Now, if someone could just come up with a way to make momnesia go away. Then I’d be able to do all of the above while also planning dinner (whoops! do we need to eat again tonight? didn’t we just do that yesterday?!) and creating a mental shopping list. But for now I’ll have to rely on my trusty pen and paper. Now where did I leave them?
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Jeana says:
Dahlia was about 9 months old the day I left my shoes at work! How does a person forget their shoes?? Atleast I remembered to grab Dahlia!!
So, Mudlark, there is no cure in sight is there?
March 5th, 2008 at 1:43 pmmaya says:
I read that article - so very true. I have a 2-yr-old and I often forget what I’m talking about mid-sentence!
March 5th, 2008 at 4:53 pmElla says:
I too agree about forgetting everything but one thing you didn’t forget is your sense of humor. I enjoyed your blog. Good luck with the three!:)
March 7th, 2008 at 8:00 amErin says:
I read this article and I agree completely. I am 8.5 months pregnant and I don’t remember what I did the previous day.
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:30 pmTonya says:
I have a 4 year old and a 5(almost 6) year old. I still have Momnesia. I am also a school teacher. I forget my students’ names. I send them to the restroom or library and completely forget where they went. My younger daughter asks for chocolate milk five times before I remember to get it for her. I’m starting to worry about myself!
April 1st, 2008 at 5:37 pm