Written by Naomi from More With Four Blog.

I think I have “Mom Brain” or “Momnesia” or wait… what was I saying?  Oh yeah, so I have trouble remembering things and my words get all mixed up sometimes.  I used to blame “baby brain” but I am not pregnant any more so now I refer to it as my “Mom Brain”.  I think having four children really did a number on my brain, or at least my memory.

Some people say “Mom Brain” is a real thing.  I believe it.  Well, I don’t think my brain is completely altered after having children, but I do blame lack of sleep and overwhelming thoughts and responsibility of parenthood.  These factors seem to really cloud my daily brain function.  Perhaps my brain is too busy holding other information like my 57 item daily to-do list that it just cannot process things fast enough.

For example, I often call my children by the wrong name or if I am really flustered they are called some sort of combination name like “Gra-Joh-Lu-NATHAN!” as I sputter out the beginning of everyone’s name until my brain lands on the correct one.  I have even called my daughter Gradie which is a combination of her name Grace plus Sadie (which is the dog’s name).  

If you think this is bad, I can top this.

The other day I asked my son Shawn to do something.  My son’s name is John.  I actually called him Shawn.  I don’t even know where it came from.  There are no “Shawn’s” in our family.  It’s like my words just get jumbled up by the time they spit out of my mouth.  The funny thing is…John answered.  He knew what I meant.  The children have really gotten used to be called several different names and they have the ability to decipher who I am actually talking to in the moment.

Sometimes I say things that don’t even make sense and the children look at me funny.  I even wonder what the heck I am saying.  And quite often I forget people’s names or just draw a blank.  I could walk into the next room and immediately forget why I was there.  Although I am getting older, I am not convinced this is an aging thing.  I feel like it is a mom thing.  I am hoping it gets a little better as time goes on.  For the sake of the children anyway… poor Gradie Grace, Nathan, Luke, and Shawn John.