A notification from the pharmacy letting me know my prescription is ready. A reminder text from my child’s school about a fundraiser at the local diner later this week. An email alerting me that my youngest’s lunch account balance has plummeted to $1.20. A reminder for the next orthodontist appointment. A text from my partner inquiring about the shoe size of our middle child for summer (because clearly, I have a crystal ball that predicts the growth spurts of my kids). And that was just before noon!
The mental burden—it’s a very real phenomenon, and mothers tend to shoulder most of it. Our smartphones, while convenient, only exacerbate the chaos, reminding us of everything we might forget, which would make our lives even more complicated. As Australian writer Leah Ruppanner points out, “The mental load involves the planning needed to ensure the children get to their extracurricular activities, the kitchen is stocked for meals, and even the smoke detector batteries are replaced.” It’s a relentless cycle that can be utterly draining, and unfortunately, it often falls disproportionately on women.
Oh, and then there’s the incessant beeping of the smoke detector needing a battery change. It’s almost amusing how difficult it can be to pinpoint the source of the noise—oh wait, it’s coming from the basement. I know it requires a 9-volt or two AA batteries, but somehow I forget. And I’m probably out of both, so that just adds to my already overwhelming to-do list, which is so extensive it makes a CVS receipt look like a grocery list.
Since this list is crucial, I’ll probably misplace it before I even step foot in the store. The boarding pass from our recent vacation will be buried somewhere in my purse, and when I start searching for my battery list, I’ll likely get frustrated by the receipt for a soda and a snack that I had forgotten about.
Let’s not overlook the flood of emails that hit my inbox today, notifying me that grades for my eldest have been posted in the online gradebook. (I have plenty of thoughts on that topic too, but that’s for another time.) There are also emails from the kids’ schools about safety protocols, scheduling parent-teacher conferences, reminders about the spring dance, Little League opening day, and a permission slip for the dodgeball tournament. Honestly, my head might just explode!
And it doesn’t end there. Today, I received multiple group texts about my sons’ upcoming basketball tournament and reminders for baseball practice, including a note that all catchers need to bring their gear and wear pants. Plus, there’s the important reminder to book hotel rooms for the baseball trip to New York and the Memorial Day tournament in New Jersey.
Today was a bit of a reprieve regarding group texts—thankfully, nobody bombarded the chat with unnecessary questions, comments, or emojis that usually result in our phones dinging incessantly, making us want to throw them against the wall. Maybe I’ll just add “YouTube how to fix wall” to my mental checklist. Just kidding! I’ll probably hang a picture to cover it up, like I usually do.
Yes, I know I should disable notifications, but there are two obstacles to that plan. First, I’m not entirely sure how to do it. More importantly, I tend to forget a lot of things, and I rely heavily on these reminders to keep everything from falling apart. Forgetting to take myself to the dentist after multiple alerts is one thing, but I can’t bear the thought of my kids missing their appointments or showing up at a birthday party on the wrong day. Yes, I did that once—at a trampoline park.
So, to all the moms preparing for another day filled with alerts and reminders, take a deep breath. And maybe grab some peanut M&Ms. If you happen to pop into Target for those M&Ms, could you also pick up some batteries? Oh, and if you’re feeling generous, I could use a new fitness tracker too since mine didn’t hold up as well as I thought during my workout sessions!
For those interested in enhancing your family planning journey, check out this blog post on couples’ fertility journeys. Understanding fertility is an important part of parenting, and you can find more information on fertility boosters for men to help. Plus, if you seek reliable information about pregnancy, this resource is excellent.
Summary:
Managing the numerous texts, emails, and alerts can feel overwhelming for moms trying to juggle their responsibilities. From school reminders to family schedules, the mental load is significant. While technology offers some assistance, it can also contribute to the chaos. Finding ways to cope and maintain organization is essential, as is recognizing the importance of family planning and health resources.
Keyphrase: Managing parental notifications
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