Females, Motherhood and Multi-tasking

Multi-tasking – aha now there is a word which can either elevate you to a new level in terms of how others see you and what you are capable of OR it can propel you into a fake reality where what you do while you are multi-tasking is not noticed because you are multi-tasking so freakin well!

There is really no other option for the busy parent, or should I say busy mum.

Males do try however the males I know happily admit, when I attempt to get them to do more than one thing at a time “I can only do one thing at a time”. Bless them, they feel this is best and the way to get things done properly. Focus your attention on the one thing and it will get done without fail.

Hmm well in a perfect world where we can freeze time and then restart it I guess this is a fantastic way to life your life. No fussing, no hassle, no rushing, no mounting stress levels. Only calm, perfect calm where everything is in its place and things get done in order and on time and all is done perfectly, flawlessly and with the minimum of fuss and the body temperature remains constant throughout. Yes what we all need a time turner, just like Hermione’s in Harry Potter!!!!

When did we actually accept multitasking as a way of life for womankind? I think I must have missed the memo or perhaps it was a late night new bulletin which I was too busy doing laundry, loading the dishwasher and making out shopping list (all simultaneously) to notice.

It really is a great ability to multitask yet it does present you as someone so capable you very rarely will find anyone saying “Wow look at her multi-tasking. Isn’t she just like wonder woman spinning all those plates at once. Let us all applaud her efforts!”

No it is more likely that you will be seen as doing what you do and very likely be expected to take on more. Are we mad? Why do we multi-task when there is so little to be gained from it.

Well first of all we need to, it is completely essential in today’s world where everything happens so fast, expectations are so high and basically we want to be on top of and in control of almost everything in our lives.

Secondly we have no choice, it is in us, the way we think, the premonitions of terrible things happening to our kids. Example a friend and I both share the same horrible premonition of tripping up as we carry our little ones downstairs, which makes us so cautious and aware. We then plan ahead watching every step we take, ensuring our arms are tightly round our child and that the soft toy they insist you also carry is not about to block your view and send you both hurtling to your death at the bottom of the staircase.

Far fetched and likelihood of this happening is probably minimal however my mind races to ensure I am encapsulating everything going on around me. I honestly do think and act like I have eyes in the back of my head. I can sense mischief even when I cannot see it with my eyes. I can have two conversations at once while playing I spy with my youngest. I can email, txt and hold down a serious conversation with my mother on a regular basis. Seriously my brain is likely to spontaneously combust any time soon. Yet it doesn’t and I’ve been like this for over a decade in terms of motherhood and over 20 years in terms of career, so clearly we are born with the ability to live and, thankfully,survive this way!

Do I hope it calms down soon? Do I relish the times when I do one thing at a time? I’m not sure. I love time to myself, reading, writing, chatting or reflecting or even exercising however there comes a point when my brain starts to rev up again and I’m off multi-tasking my socks off.

Do I get irritated when family are blinkered (or should I say totally blind) to my expert multi-tasking skills. Ok yes at times, however would I have it any other way in terms of how I organise and keep on top of life as a woman and mother – no way!

This is the way God made us and with good reason. Where would we be without the female multi-tasker? Ladies, as we all know it does not bear thinking about.

Gentlemen – this is not a dig at you, we love you all to bits, however it is true and all this is seriously written in good humour! I do however hope you enjoyed stepping into the mind of the multi-tasker, albeit only for a few hundred words!!