They say that when we experience a traumatic event, our minds throw us into a ‘safety mode’. You know, as a type of protection, survival.
Apparently most of the last 30+ years of my life have been just that, because I don’t remember most of it. No, I don’t have super early onset Alzheimer’s or anything like that.
But surely I should remember the last twenty+ years of being married and raising a family, right? Wrong. There is so much that I can’t recall. Family vacations with the kids, dinners out with the kids, taking the kids to see the local bull riders, school plays & talent shows, you know, stuff like that.
And it’s gotten increasingly worse. In fact, just the other day I was telling Mr. Disorganized that I can barely remember what happened three days ago let alone three years ago. {True story}
Then I started reading this book “I Just Want to Pee Alone”. It‘s written by a very talented group of mom bloggers. My first thought was, “I’m way past this point in my life, I mean my youngest is ten already.” But as I started reading, it was as if little bits of my memory were coming back. Sort of like deja’ vu, only instead of living it, I was reading about it.
Childbirth in all it’s disgusting glory, finally being able to go to the grocery store alone when all the kids were of school age, saggy boobs {well, actually, those are kinda hard to forget}, having a closet full of Garanimals for women, the lack of bubble baths & shaved legs. And let‘s not forget driving the kids everywhere all.the.time. And a teenager’s reluctance to clean {still dealing with this one}.
I laughed so hard. I could relate to so many of these stories. And yet, I had previously forgotten most of these similar events in my own life. The more I read, the more of my memory I regained. And the more I laughed.
Whether you’re a mom-to-be, a new or experienced mom or grandmother, this book is a must read. With stories like “The Naked Starfish”, “Elite Grocery Store Mom’s Club”, “The Mom-Chauffeur“, and “A Pinterest Perfect Mom I am Not”, chances are you’ll say, “Oh ya, I remember when that happened to me!”
And like me, you‘ll realize that your brain has been in survival mode, causing you to forget things soon after they happen. Because let’s face it, parenting istraumatic.
*I received a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are 100% mine
**CAUTION: Some stories contain use of explicit language and sensitive subject matter
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