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Cut the Chaos: Fight Mommy Brain!
Learn how to stay sharp, keep informed — and still be on time for school drop–off!
By Lian Dolan
In the chaotic world of motherhood, it’s easy to let the intellectual pursuits you love fall by the wayside. You can get so wrapped up in the logistics of your life that you succumb to Mommy Brain! Too many details, too little time — and where are my car keys anyway? But motherhood doesn’t have to mean a lower IQ. Staving off Mommy Brain can be free and easy and take only 15 minutes a day!
Make the wait worthwhile. Motherhood can mean a lot of waiting — in carpool lines, in doctors’ offices, at sports practice. Lots of moms tell me they purposely arrive early so they can turn their wait time into “me time.” Instead of reaching for a celeb gossip magazine, bring a book, crossword or Sudoko puzzle. Amy, mom of three, reads the most–e–mailed stories at the New York Times Website to stay on top of current events.
Use technology on your time. There are thousands of fascinating, free podcasts available online at your convenience. And you don’t need an MP3 player to take advantage of podcasts; you can listen right from your computer while making dinner. Nicole, an avid fan, likes the news stories at National Public Radio. Beckett, a mother of two, recommends the fun topics at Stuff You Missed in History Class. Or, for a one–hour mix of news, life and humor, try my Chaos Chronicles weekly podcasts.
Walk and talk. Reinvigorate your mind and body with a power walk–discussion combo. Find an exercise partner with similar interests, and commit one walk a week to discussing current events, a great book or a TV documentary. Resist the mommy chat — at least for the first mile! Debating the latest from Capitol Hill may even burn more calories.
Take advantage of free. Music in the park. Lectures at the library. Family night at the art museum. In most communities, free events abound. But the key is putting them on your calendar! Commit to a course of self–improvement, and then make an effort to attend one event a month. Sounds doable, right? By the end of the year you will have racked up several concerts, a play and some inspiring talks — at no cost. That’s like grad school without the loans.
About the author: Lian Dolan is a writer, mother, Satellite Sister and creator of The Chaos Chronicles, a podcast, blog and Website about modern motherhood.
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