How long do you think baby brain counts as an excuse? Does it stop after a few months or is when they start sleeping well?
My last two trips on my own (with little A) to the supermarket for our weekly shop have been almost disastrous.
The first trip I decided to take just my bank card, rather than having to carry my bag or purse around. As I took it out of my purse all the cards fell out into my bag, but I thought I would just deal with it later and stick the card in my pocket. When we got to the checkout and I had everything bagged, put the card in the machine and lo and behold I had taken the wrong card. It was a card for my savings account, identical to the current account one I should have taken. So I had to apologise to the checkout person, take A out the trolley, run round to the car and rifle through my bag for the correct card. Got back to the checkout, other customers waiting behind, but that was the wrong card too (I only know the PIN for my joint current account card). Back round to the car (fortunately parked in the child space right at the front of the car park) and pick up the correct card this time (checked the number several times to be sure it was right), back to the checkout and put A in the trolley again. I must have been quite red faced by then and the people behind me were lovely , smiling at A’s cheeky grin as he waved at them and kicked his legs (baby’s make everyone feel better, right?), one lady asked me if I was ok for money, which was quite sweet, I’m pretty sure she was ready to offer me cash! Nice to know that there are some lovely people around. Anyway, card in, PIN was right and I could leave the supermarket, still red faced, but at least I could get home.
A couple of weeks later I ended up going again with just A. Got all the way round the shop (took entire purse this time, just in case!) and waiting in the checkout line I saw my car outside the window and for some reason checked my pocket for the keys. The keys weren’t there… Argh, my face started going red again (my uni friends will tell you that it doesn’t take much take me go red in the face!) and the worst case scenario popped into my head. Keys locked in the car, tired baby and trolley full of shopping… I was debating who I should phone to go collect the spare car key from home and bring it to me (we only have one car). Fortunately I got out to the car and it was unlocked, so I retrieved the keys which I had left in a rush while trying to get A into the shop as a downpour started. Everything still in the car, nothing stolen, reminded myself that on the next solo trip I have to remember both purse and keys (and baby!).
Maybe I’m still surprisingly forgetful as A is teething badly and we’re not getting great sleep at the moment, but maybe baby brain still exists past 12 months?! I keep thinking about how organised I used to be – it was commented on many a time pre-babies (you should have seen the organisation of my wedding!) maybe one day I’ll get my preferred level of organisation back, but for now I will just blame baby brain!
J x
Louise says
I still blame baby brain for things with my youngest being 16 months! Lack of sleep has a lot to answer for. Glad you managed to find the right card eventually and get into your car.
Jenny Eaves says
That’s good glad it’s not just me then! 🙂 x
Jenni - Odd Socks and Lollipops says
I have heard that baby brain is a viable excuse until they start school…
I still suffer with baby brain and Boo is 14 months, and I don’t seem to be getting any better!!
Rachel says
My son is 2 and a half now and I still use baby brain as an excuse, hehe. Great post.
Karen Howden says
Seriously Jenny, I still have baby brain and Jonah is nearly 2! Sometimes I can’t even remember the name of my husband, haha! You are not alone… Great post x
Karen Howden says
Oh, and I also lost my car key at work the other day, panicked, spend half an hour tipping out bags, searching my classroom… It was still in the car…. Yes, that is true…
A Cornish Mum says
i have a 9 year old and a 10 and a half year old and pretty sure I STILL have baby brain 😉
Stevie x
Jenny Eaves says
Argh, really?! I was hoping it would come back again! Maybe that’s it forever then! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
It seems a lot of people still have it years on, I think our brains are stuck like that after babies are born! 🙂
Jenny Eaves says
Yup, I think that’s it until the’ve left home. At least it’s not just me going a bit crazy! 🙂
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha! I’m glad to hear there are lots of us crazy women roaming the streets with young children. Was worried that it was just me! 🙂
Jenny Eaves says
Excellent! 🙂 x
Laura @ Life with Baby Kicks says
Toddler is 2.5 and I still have baby brain!!x
Jenny Eaves says
I don’t think it ever goes away then! 🙂
al says
Interesting thought! I think exhaustion has a huge part to play in it! Thanks for sharing this and thanks for linking up #bigfatlinky
martyn says
Great post and definitely a good thought. I’m still using it as an excuse 6 years on I just nip call it ‘dad brain’ not that it actually excuses it or makes it better lol. It definitely comes down to exhaustion
Jenny Eaves says
I think that must be it, just the exhaustion makes us do silly things! I really do hope my old brain comes back one day though! 🙂
Jenny Eaves says
Thanks! Yes it probably is exhaustion! So hard to get past that with young kids. 🙂
Urban Mumble says
I read the baby brain effects can last up to a year. Having had to babies back to back I can confirm it is true. I feel brain dead half of the time. Hope you get better soon 🙂
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha! Thank you! 🙂 x
Tiffany says
Maybe we should call it mommy brain because it never really goes away
Jenny Eaves says
Good idea! Let’s change the name! 🙂 x
Ann Winters says
LOL!
I suppose I still have baby brain too after 1year….! Similar stuff keep happening to me!
🙂
#twinklytuesday
Jenny Eaves says
Good to know that most mums are feeling the same!! 🙂 x
Catherine Burgess says
O no… mine’s 19months old I can confirm that my pre-baby organisation has not returned and that I am incredibly forgetful now – how can it get any worse if I have another one?! #TwinklyTuesday
Jenny Eaves says
I think that might be right, we’re stuck with our disorganised’ness now! 🙂
christina says
Baby brain becomes toddler brain becomes tween brain becomes teenager brain! Hang in there!!
Jenny Eaves says
Excellent, it’s never ending!! 🙂
Lisa (mummascribbles) says
Oh dear! I’m forever mislaying my keys but my little one is two and a half now so I definiteky have no excuse haha! I do remember going to the supermarket with him once on my own and it was incredibly stressful! I hope that you start getting some better sleep soon 🙂 thanks for linking up with #twinklytuesday
Jenny Eaves says
Ha, sleep, I don’t think that will ever happen! Teething baby is always waking up at the moment. Still he’s better at sleeping than his older brother! 🙂 x