As Moms, we are tasked with challenge of juggling multiple things at one time…all the time. This applies if you are a working Mom or you are a stay at home Mom.
We’ve all swapped stories about what amazing conversation out toddler just “had” to have with us while using the bathroom. You’ve seen the meme’s with little hands peeking under a closed bathroom door. They’re funny because they are true! This is what I like to call being “Mommydextrous”. It’s the ability to be a Mom on one hand while also completing another task simultaneously and more often than not, single handedly.
Just a few weeks ago, while working from home, the full scope of multitasking with children sort of hit me in the face. I had a conference call that got pushed back later than normal, my babysitter had to leave early, JT wouldn’t nap and it resulted in the perfect storm.
Like any working Mom in my situation, my goal was the hide the fact that I had a baby that needed as much attention as my conference call. Another, fellow Mom once pointed out, this isn’t nearly a hot topic with working Dad’s. But this type of “distraction” could put a huge road block up for a working Mom.
I proceeded to try and scurry from room to room and feign a large scale game of “peek-a-boo” while strategically clicking mute on and off during attempts of silence. By the time it was time to present on the call I was both winded and losing the patience of an aggregates 15month old.
He retaliated by playing in the toilet as I had about 30 seconds left of talk time. I ended my call stretching the phone as far away as possible from the squirming, fussing baby dangling from my arm who was both over my work duties and also in need of being disinfected!.Toilet water…gag! Needless to say the balancing act was not pretty or sanitary this day. This is just one of many situations where my many hats have overlapped and I know Many of you can relate.
So, this is my ode to the multitasking Mom. Here’s a huge round of applause to all the Mommy’s who have learned to cook single handed, or who have mastered screwing on bottle tops with a grabby baby (or toddler) in one hand and managing said container in the other.
Here’s to the Moms who can read a book, build blocks, sculpt PlayDoh and help solve puzzles with one child while simultaneously lulling another child to sleep. Here’s a pat on the back to the Moms who have fed a baby while doing just about anything you can think of. Your “Mommydexterity” is a unique talent that should be honored and respected.
It’s just a shame that with all our juggling ability, we can never quite finish that cup of coffee before it gets cold! Here’s an extra clink for all the times you’ve put it in the microwave to heat it up and forgotten about it.
