In the book, we don't just talk about memory lapses -- we also talk about the ways that your brain *improves* after you have a baby. For example, you are way more perceptive about things that might harm your little one. I bring you this illustration from the book:
I came up with this cartoon because it reflects my deep, ongoing fear of choking hazards. "Adrienne," you say, "that is a normal fear." Well, my friends, I have taken it to a new level. Case in point: when my kids were starting to eat solid food, I was scared to give them Cheerios. I was certain they would choke.
Cheerios. You know, the cereal that dissolves into mush soon after you put it in your mouth? Oh, and by the way, it has a *hole*, so even if it did get temporarily lodged in your windpipe, it probably wouldn't obstruct airflow.
Still, I was freaked out. I guess we all have our irrational fears, right?
Right??
Anyway, now that they are ages 6 and 3, I allow my kids to eat Cheerios. With a warning, of course: "Let it soak for five minutes," I tell them. "Then chew each bite 100 times."
And guess what - it's working. No Cheerio-induced choking so far. (Feel free to use this advice with your kids as well.)
This outlook is true! I guess I can admit to you and other "Momnesiacs" that I once dialed 9-1-1 when my son slipped on the slide--yes, that's what it's for--at the McDonald's playland. The next thing that happened was he was at the bottom of the slide and laughing with a friend, while I was trying to think of how to get off the phone with the very concerned emergency responders. (Me: "Um, yeah, the address here? Well, I'm not sure...Hey, you know what? Maybe you won't have to send an ambulance after all.")
Just like you described, my radar for danger was tuned to super-high alert when my boy was little!
Great book. I can't wait to read it.
Posted by: Cathy Riddle | May 13, 2009 at 07:48 AM