The Un-Multi-Tasking Mama

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am humbled and honored to present The Happy Geek! I don't remember how I found her, but it was love at first post. The Happy Geek has one of those blogs that you just have to keep reading. It's insightful and hilarious. HG is honest, smart, and really attractive in a rarely worn black dress.

I love a blog that can make me smile and burst out laughing while teaching me something, all at the same time. The Happy Geek is the perfect place for that.

So enjoy today's post from the hilarious and humble, Happy Geek. And don't forget to visit her. Every Canadian needs some American visitors every now and again, don'tcha know? ___________________________
I get to be on Extraordinary Ordinary.

How very cool.

I have been reading EO since the summer. I love Heather's thoughtful reflections on motherhood, personhood and finding balance. She has talked a lot about really being present and in the moment with your kids.

This has hit home with me.

When my kids were really little (as opposed to the half-grown 2 and 4 year old that they are now) I was uber-mommy. I could multi-task out the wazoo. It was nothing for me to feed the baby, be making babyfood and talking on the phone with someone in our caregroup about a serious need in their life.

Even when I had two I could feed them breakfast, make a casserole for dinner and prepare for Bible study all at once.

Then in a blink of an eye it all changed.

They got verbal.

Turns out I am a mommy of very little brain. When my kids talk I must focus all of my attention onto what they are saying or the results are disastrous. If I try to multi-task while they are talking I have been known to hand my two year old scissors and tell him to go for it. Fortunately my sis was on the phone with me and called me back to my senses seconds before blond tufts started flying.

I have okayed them drawing on themselves, punching me in the stomach and a very unfortunate incident involving a sharpie. Yee haw.

That's when I finally got smart. Yes, it did take a while. It's Happy Geek, not Happy Intellectual. Now when my kids talk I stop what I am doing and focus completely on them. It's just safer. It does mean that absolutely nothing gets done in a day as they talk ALL THE BLESSED TIME, but at least my house is still standing.

It's worked quite well. With one noticeable exception. I've found it difficult to give my undivided attention to my kids while piloting a vehicle. Apparently, you can't make eye contact with your kids while bombing down the highway at 110. At least that's what my husband keeps telling me. (For those of you about to call the police, I'm Canadian. That's 110 Kilometers an hour.) It's a very good thing they are strapped in because who knows what mischief they might get into with my full permission. As it is, apparently I said it was fine to throw your shoes at the front seat.

Before I had kids I used to think that momvicles were the safest. Now I know nothing could be farther from the truth. Stoned teens texting on a cellphone while driving are safer than I am.

But at least I am truly present.