Menu
by Sarah Thompson
March 12, 2023
A text from CVS informing me that my prescription is ready. A school message reminding me about a fundraiser at a local restaurant later this week. An email notifying me that my youngest child’s lunch account balance has dwindled to $1.20. A reminder for the upcoming orthodontist appointment. A text from my partner asking for the shoe size of our middle child’s feet this summer (because obviously, I have a psychic ability to predict their growth spurts). And that was just the start of my day.
The mental burden of parenting is a significant reality, and mothers often bear the brunt of it. Our smartphones, while helpful in organizing our lives, can amplify this load, reminding us of tasks that, if overlooked, could lead to chaos. As Australian author Leah Ruppanner articulates, “The mental load encompasses the planning and organization necessary to ensure children attend ballet classes, the pantry is stocked for dinner, and the smoke detector batteries are replaced. It’s relentless, draining, and falls largely on women.”
Ah, the incessant beeping. We have a smoke detector in need of a battery change, and tracking down the source of the sound can be a Herculean task. Of course, I know it requires a 9-volt or two AA batteries, but I often forget which. Likely, we’re out of both, so that adds to an already overwhelming to-do list that puts a CVS receipt to shame.
And naturally, I’ll lose any reminder I write down before I even reach the store. The boarding pass from our recent vacation will be buried somewhere deep in my purse, making it all the more frustrating when I’m hunting for that crucial list of batteries. The receipt for a bottle of water and some gum will also be a nuisance.
Today’s influx of emails included notifications about my seventh grader’s newly posted grades (which I have many opinions on, but that’s a different article entirely). There were school emails announcing safety protocols, scheduling a parent-teacher conference, reminders about the spring dance, and information about Little League’s opening day. My head is spinning just thinking about it.
And that’s not all—three group texts dropped in, alerting me to the game schedules for my boys’ basketball tournament. I also received two group messages about baseball practice, reminding all catchers to bring their gear and wear appropriate pants. And let’s not forget the hotel bookings for the baseball trip to New York in April and the tournament in New Jersey over Memorial Day weekend.
Fortunately, today’s group chat was relatively calm; unlike other days, the barrage of questions, comments, and emojis didn’t inundate my phone in a 15-minute frenzy, which often leads to frustration and the impulse to hurl my phone against the wall—resulting in both a broken device and a damaged wall. Perhaps I should just add “YouTube how to fix wall” to my mental checklist. Kidding! I’ll hang a picture over the damage like I usually do.
I know, I know. I could just silence the notifications. But there are two issues with that: firstly, I’m unsure how to do it, and secondly, I have a tendency to forget important tasks. I rely heavily on reminders to keep everything running smoothly. Forgetting my own dentist appointment is one thing, but if my kids miss their dental check-ups, practices, or show up at a birthday party on the wrong day, it’s a whole different level of chaos. Yes, I did that once at the local trampoline park.
So, to all the mothers bracing themselves for another day filled with reminders, alerts, and constant notifications, I recommend taking some deep breaths. And maybe indulge in some peanut M&Ms.
But while you’re at the store grabbing those M&Ms, could you also pick up some batteries? And if you’re feeling generous, I could use a new Fitbit as mine has proven to be less waterproof than I initially thought. I could use some extra motivation to walk off those M&Ms.
If you’re interested in enhancing family planning, check out this post on boosting fertility supplements. Additionally, for those curious about testing for pregnancy, this resource is quite informative. For comprehensive information on pregnancy, you can refer to this excellent resource.
Summary:
In the whirlwind of motherhood, the sheer volume of texts, emails, and alerts can feel overwhelming. From managing children’s schedules to keeping up with household tasks, the mental load often falls disproportionately on mothers. While smartphones help keep us organized, they can also contribute to stress. It’s essential to find ways to manage this burden and remember to take care of ourselves amidst the chaos.