It’s a typical morning for me, juggling a barrage of messages. First, I get a text from the pharmacy notifying me that my prescription is ready. Then, another ping from the school reminding me of an upcoming fundraiser at a local restaurant. An email alerts me that my youngest’s school lunch account is running low at just $1.20. And let’s not forget the reminder for my child’s next orthodontist appointment. My husband even sends a message asking me to predict what size shoes our middle child will need for summer—because naturally, I have a crystal ball for such things. And that was just before breakfast!
The mental load of motherhood is very real, and it’s often carried predominantly by women. As Australian writer Leah Ruppanner aptly puts it, the mental load encompasses the ongoing planning required to ensure the kids make it to dance class, that the fridge is stocked for dinner, and that smoke detector batteries get replaced. It’s a relentless cycle of tasks that can feel overwhelming.
Speaking of which, I still need to figure out which smoke detector is beeping in the house—turns out it’s the one in the basement. I know it needs either a 9-volt or a couple of AA batteries, but I keep forgetting to pick them up. My to-do list is so extensive it would make a CVS receipt look like a Post-it note. And since it’s a crucial list, I’ll inevitably misplace it before I even reach the store. Instead, I’ll likely dig through my purse for the boarding pass from our recent trip and find it tucked away with the receipt for a bottle of water, both of which will just add to my irritation.
And the emails? Oh, don’t get me started! I received notifications about my seventh grader’s grades being posted online. Not that I’m here to rant about online grade books, but I certainly have my opinions on those, too. I also got a flurry of emails from school about safety protocols, scheduling parent-teacher conferences, reminders for the spring dance, and Little League updates, including a permission slip for an upcoming dodgeball tournament. Seriously, my head is spinning just thinking about it.
It doesn’t stop there. I also received multiple texts in a group chat detailing the game schedules for my boys’ basketball tournament and two reminders about baseball practice, including a note that all catchers must wear their gear and pants. Plus, I need to remember to book hotels for both the baseball trip to New York in April and the tournament in New Jersey over Memorial Day weekend.
Today, however, was a small victory on the group text front—there were no excessive responses filled with questions and emojis that typically flood my phone, causing it to ding incessantly. I often feel like throwing my phone against the wall when that happens. Maybe I should just add “YouTube how to fix wall” to my to-do list. Kidding! I’ll just hang a picture over the damage and hope no one notices.
I know what you’re thinking: Just turn off the notifications! But here’s the catch: I hardly know how to do that. More importantly, I rely on these reminders to keep my life—and my children’s lives—on track. Forgetting to take myself to the dentist is one thing, but missing my kids’ appointments or showing up to a birthday party on the wrong day is a whole different level of chaos. Yes, I’ve done that. Once.
So, to all the moms out there bracing for another day filled with reminders, alerts, and constant notifications, I recommend taking a few deep breaths. And perhaps indulge in some peanut M&Ms.
If you’re heading to Target for those M&Ms, could you grab some batteries for me? Oh, and if you’re feeling extra generous, I could really use a new Fitbit because mine didn’t hold up to the waterproof test, and I need to get my steps in after all those treats!
For more insights into managing motherhood and beyond, check out our other blog posts, including one about home insemination kits.
Summary
In the whirlwind of daily life, mothers face an overwhelming amount of communication—from texts about prescriptions and school updates to emails concerning upcoming events. The mental load can feel unmanageable as tasks and reminders pile up, but a little humor and organization can go a long way in navigating this chaos.
Leave a Reply