As a mother, it can be difficult to find the time to do absolutely everything you really need to do. Multitasking becomes a necessity, especially when you're doing something as important as making dinner (consuming food is always important, you guys). As a new mom, it didn't take me long to realize that my time was limited, at best, so I started doing the weird things every mom does when she's eating. Are they strange? Yes, but ruthfully, they make sense and are completely necessary and have evolved to be pretty normal because, well, life as a parent is just odd.
If you're like me, you have a constant "To Do List" that rarely dips below double digits. The things on the list range from work assignments to school assignments to things for the house to things for my daughter or even things for someone else. Sadly, rarely does my day include something I do for myself (although I'm working on it, because self care is vital when you're a mother). My daily routine either gets cut short or gets thrown together in some super weird but ultimately beneficial way, so that I can multitask to complete my routine and make my way through that never-ending list. Eating is one of those easy-to-multitask things, it turns out, that I often end up doing without even thinking. Sadly, this does mean that I rarely have time to savor my food which, I know, is a crime.
For every mom who does those weird things while she's eating, I can assure you that you're not alone and that, one day, we will all get to sit down to a quiet, drawn-out meal (I hope). Until then, it's perfectly normal if you do the following, even if they're a little weird:
Make Funny Faces
My child is much more interested in how I entertain her than how I keep myself alive by, you know, eating food. Thankfully, I've mastered the art of "making funny faces while eating," a true talent, I assure you. My daughter ends up giggling and making a face back and that give me just enough time to shove a big big spoonful of food in my mouth.
Make Weird Noises
If making funny faces doesn't do the trick, making funny noises tend to, at the very least, interest my daughter long enough for her me to take a bite and maybe, just maybe, convince her to take one, too.
Stands And Bounces The Baby
A baby isn't going to stop crying just because you're hungry. I remember standing with my daughter on one hip, bouncing her to help calm her down and bending over every now and then to get a forkful of food for myself, more times than I care to count.
Gets Dressed
Before you have had a kid, you probably had plenty of time to get ready for an event. After all, it was, probably just you that you worried about. However, when you have a child, there's not enough time in the day to do what you need to do, which inevitably includes simple tasks, like getting dressed. I often walk out the door, shoes in hand because I'm not quite finished getting ready yet. Usually, I'm eating a meal while running around trying to find that shirt or that pair of jeans or, well, you get the idea.
Does Her Hair
Here's hoping you don't get food in your hair while blowdrying (not that that's happened to me, or anything).
Does Her Makeup
This one can be a bit tricky because makeup requires precision and a steady canvas, but still, it works for me. Usually, and thankfully, I have some time alone to do my makeup that prevents my daughter from bumping into me on accident and smudging it. Perfect peaceful meal time.
Drives
If I haven't eaten before I leave the house, my car automatically becomes a kitchen. Because my first priority is to take care of my daughter, my eating habits become secondary (and weird) and mixed in with other daily tasks, including a commute (safely, of course).
Forgets To Breathe
You are a mom, but you're also an individual with other responsibilities and joys outside of parenthood. In other words, you have places to be and things to do. You don't necessarily have time to sit and relax and eat food slowly. So, instead, you shovel it in and barely taste it and, at times, forget that it's probably a good idea that you keep breathing. Hey, I know it's not the best, but sometimes, it happens, and it's better than not eating at all.
