10 Distinct Ways Motherhood Alters Cognitive Function

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Since becoming a mother of two, my cognitive processes have transformed significantly. This shift has both advantages and disadvantages. For instance, my ability to multitask has improved, but I often forget around 40% of what I intended to do. Fortunately, I’ve grown more forgiving of myself. My mind can feel cluttered and chaotic, making it challenging to keep everything running smoothly. Here are 10 notable ways my cognitive function has changed since becoming a parent:

1. Increased Forgetfulness
   I am now incredibly forgetful. Just the other day, I walked out of a grocery store, leaving behind a bag filled with items I had just purchased. The cashier had to run after me, shouting, “Excuse me! Your groceries!” I also find myself mixing up my children’s names, calling my baby boy by my 5-year-old daughter’s name instead. My train of thought often derails mid-sentence—what was I saying again?
2. Heightened Anxiety
   Caring for two children and ensuring their well-being is far more complicated than it appears. They seem to attract every illness imaginable, explore dangerously, and sometimes even surprise me with their reckless behavior. For example, my little one once put a cat’s hairball in his mouth, and I was just relieved it wasn’t something worse. When they scream for seemingly no reason, my mind races with worst-case scenarios.
3. Easily Triggered Panic
   My mind jumps to alarming conclusions: “Is that an unguarded staircase? A spider lurking? A potential danger?”
4. Tolerance to Exhaustion
   I have endured an entire year with virtually no sleep. Before motherhood, I would have canceled any commitments due to extreme fatigue. Now, I find a way to push through. Although sleepless nights remain a challenge, I’m aware I can survive them. While it may not be graceful, coffee and oversized sunglasses help me manage.
5. Desensitization to Grossness
   My threshold for gross situations has dramatically changed. Whether it’s green snot, messy diapers, or clogged drains, I’ve dealt with it all, often reluctantly. Need someone to handle a mess? Call a mom—just not me; I have my hands full.
6. Constant Mental To-Do Lists
   My thoughts are a whirlwind of tasks I should be tackling instead of what I am currently doing. Take out the trash, switch the laundry, ensure that the clean clothes don’t acquire a musty smell—my mind races with chores while I search for the grocery list, only to eventually rewrite it.
7. Always One Step Ahead
   I’m perpetually anticipating my children’s needs. Whether it’s catching a potential spill or preventing a tumble down the stairs, I act like a protective jaguar—without the intent to harm, of course. I’m simply trying to keep them safe from their own mischief.
8. Difficulty Relaxing
   Finding relaxation is a challenge unless aided by a bit of wine. Yes, I said it—wine.
9. Dependency on Coffee
   Waking up is a struggle without my morning coffee or the occasional foot in my face from my little ones. I definitely prefer the coffee.
10. Emotional Connection to My Children
    My emotional state is deeply intertwined with my kids’ experiences. A personal triumph can be overshadowed by their meltdowns. Conversely, their smiles can bring me joy even when other aspects of my life feel chaotic.

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In summary, motherhood reshapes cognitive processes in numerous ways, from forgetfulness and anxiety to a heightened ability to multitask and anticipate needs. Embracing these changes can lead to personal growth and greater resilience.