Mommy Brain

A dear friend of mine gave me some sound advise after my first son was born. While others stuck to the cliches of 'sleep when you can,'  and 'enjoy every moment, it goes so fast,' my friend, blunt as can be, stated simply:

Eat more fish. You'll grow your brain back.  

She went on to explain to me in detail of how I delivered part of my brain when I delivered my son (not literally, of course, but in a way of speaking), and how the Omega 3's in fish will help to repair all that damage. There it was, mommy brain explained. At the time, I laughed. Or cried, I can't really remember. After all, my first born was only a few days old, and I was in a haze. I was sure that haze would dissipate.

And yet here I am, 4 years later. Am I smarter? Or at least as smart as I once was?

I would like to say yes. But a girl can only eat so much fish.

Like many a stay at home mom can attest, I do not feel at the top of my game. Don't get me wrong, I can recite many a nursery song, cook dinner to the proper time and temperature, all while settling a toddler quarrel and telling you what diapers are on sale this week. As a mom, not only am I at the top of my game, I am the captain, referee and coach.

This doesn't seem to help me at dinner parties.

Moms who stay at home with their children do not receive report cards. There is no proof in writing that we are doing a good job. The day to day can certainly be monotonous, and rewards are given in kisses, hugs, and moments you wouldn't sell a second of for all the money in the world.

So with this in mind, I have come to a conclusion.

As a new mom I felt overwhelmed, as most do, and then I found my groove. I remember looking in awe at mom's with two children. Now I am that mom. Potty training used to seem like an insurmountable obstacle, and then we mastered it.

Could it be that mommy brain is not a lack of knowledge at all, but instead, an overflow of knowledge, bursting at our seams? We are experts at our specific stages, masters of our craft. At any given moment in time, we are knowledgeable. We know what we need to know, when we need to know it.

Perhaps having a mommy brain is not such a bad thing after all?

One day I will re-enter the 'work' force, and receive my progress reports in writing. Until that time, I will greatly enjoy my kisses and whispers of I love you mama.

After all, my children think their mom is the smartest mom in the world.