Ever since I was pregnant, and now, almost 17 months after my son was born, I still feel like I have "mommy brain". Other moms just laugh and tell me, "yep, it never goes away"... SO, how do you deal with it? I've never been the organized type. I'm very right-brained, and have a really hard time focusing on things these days. I feel like I always have a list a mile long of things to do and end up skipping around, getting distracted, and often times just making more work for myself. I feel like my brain just does not FOCUS any more. I don't remember things I used to, and I get that "blank" feeling so much more. Where I just totally lose my train of thought... gone. Nothing. Who am I? What was I doing? What am I supposed to say? uh. uh..... Happened in my staff meeting this morning. Just went blank. Forgot the word I was trying to think of and just had a table of co-workers staring at me. Ah! What helps to combat this? I feel somehow dumber than before I had a child... feel like I've become that spacey mom. I hate it!
Not a clue. But just wait til you have the double whammy: mommy brain and peri-menopause! Just something to look forward to!
hmmm? What were you saying?
:)
Mine's gotten worse... So that's something to look forward to. And if you have another child, you can count on it as you try to manage that child's needs too. what I do find helpful though in terms of getting things done is on my todo list, assign them to certain days. So on Monday I have to do these 3 things. Then Tuesday these 3 things etc. Then on that day, no time wasted figuring out what to do and what I want to do etc. I just bite the bullet and do the assigned things.
Just want to second what Riley had to say. Sleep and proper nutrition. Add some exercise to the mix and you will be in really good shape.
There are tools to help you get organized. Strategies such as don't put it down, put it away. Make to do lists, that way you don't have to keep a running list in your head. Get things ready the night before. Have things pre-sorted in a bag (i.e. the playground tote, the gym tote, the beach tote, and replenish each b/f you put them away). Have a calendar for your bill payment, set up automatic deductions to make sure you aren't running behind. Get boring and set up a dinner schedule (Pasta Mondays, chicken tuesdays, Veg quesadilla Weds, Fish on thursday, make your own pizza fridays, chili saturdays, and Roast on Sunday), that way you know what to shop for, and never have to worry about what's for dinner.
You can get your brain back, you just have to set your mind to it.
Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
It's actually called 'Sleep Deprivation', and it's one of the reasons that sleep dep is a disqualifiying factor for ADHD (sleep dep mimics some symptoms of ADHD).
It's made worse if you're dieting (adding in malnutrition which is another ADHD differential).
You know all the baloney that 'cures' ADHD? (it doesn't, it fixes underlying problems like sleep dep and malnutrition)... Try those things. Honest to god sleep for 2 weeks straight, a nutrient rich diet, and change of scenery / doing things you enjoy.
THATS why people say 'it' doesn't go away. Honestly, for most people the timeline on good regular sleep and food is TWO YEARS after the birth if your youngest.
I can totally relate! I've got two boys ages 4 and 2 and some days I'm just out of it - but I can tell you that it has gotten better since I started taking vitamin D3 - I had my levels check and I was severely deficient and was having widespread pain, mild depression, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. After taking the vitamin D3 I have seen each of these symptoms practically disappear. I live in Colorado Springs and we are outside a lot so being deficient was a big surprise to me but I guess it is common in CO.
I am still tired a lot, but I have 2 kids who don't always sleep through the night and my hubby is away for work until June so no questions as to why I am tired there :) Anyway, I would have your levels checked - especially if you breast fed (or are still breastfeeding) - those little babies literally take a lot out of us mamas!
I can totally relate. Ever since I had baby #1. (And I do get 8 hrs of sleep per night. The only thing I can figure out to do at work to try and stay on the ball is self-medicate with coffee.
I take vitamins and minerals. B-complex, and Multi Vitamin. Ginko Biloba and Ginseng are good for memory.
