Thursday, November 19, 2009

Motherhood Onset ADD

You've heard of ADD and ADHD. You've probably even heard of Adult onset ADD. But have you ever heard of Motherhood Onset ADD? Well, that's what I have. Let me explain a few of my symptoms. I bet some of you have it too.

I can't sit still.

I have developed the inability to sit still through a church meeting. I have been wrangling children through church meetings for ten years and on the off-chance that I am alone, I can't sit still. I'll play with other people's children, or whisper to my neighbor. I'll fidget or bite my nails. I can't sit still.

If I'm at the computer, I can only concentrate in five minute intervals. And that's the maximum. In reality, it's more like 30 seconds. I am used to being interrupted so often that even if I'm not, I lose my concentration after a few minutes.

I have also developed the inability to finish my sentences. It takes such effort to have a conversation when children are around and I find myself forgetting what I was saying on a regular basis. Many of my sentences start like this: "Umm, I forgot what I was going to say." My sister and I can have whole conversations like this.

I've also discovered that having a lazy, sit-around day at home is now virtually impossible. On the off-chance that I have nothing planned, I find it extremely difficult to just hang out. I get bored. And then I start wondering if I'm forgetting something because we ALWAYS have something on the calendar. Of course, half the time I forget the things that are scheduled.

I know many of you are nodding your head in agreement. But don't hang your head and cry. There's a simple solution. Get rid of your children. Ok, not so simple, but I have a feeling it would rid you and me of many of our symptoms. After all, what we have is merely Motherhood Onset ADD.

6 comments:

Anne said...

I came over from MBC and am so glad I did! Love your blog! Will be following along ;) And BTW, I have Motherhood Onset Memory Loss, so no worries ;)
http://www.alloftheaboveonline.blogspot.com

Lori said...

Hahahaha! I love it! It is so funny because it is so true.

Anonymous said...

I had a great memory - a vault even, before child #2. Now I can not remember anything... ever!

Susan said...

I got bad news for you. It doesn't ever come back. You know you've been finishing my sentences for years.

ZenMom said...

I've got many miles to go before the children are gone. So it looks like my mommy ADD is here for awhile.

Thanks for the laugh!

thepranamama said...

Totally True! I am guilty of asking a question out loud and then not listening to the answer, then asking it again, 2 minutes later. Drives my husband nuts.
Glad to hear I'm not the only crazy mommy with an inability to focus! Thanks Stacey!