“I would forget my head, if it weren’t attached to my neck!”
Trust me, I could forget something no matter how many notes or reminders that I write myself. However I have good intentions, I swear!
Usually I can at least remember the gist of what I need to do. But very often, I will forget the finer details.
In my defense, I do have quite a bit to remember for my whole family.
Exhibit A of Forgetful Me…
A good example of this was when my older daughter started kindergarten. I had the Kindergarten orientation save the date card hanging on my refrigerator for months.
I knew the date, but the actual days of the week are what I mixed up.
Do you see where I am going with this?
Yes! I thought the orientation was Thursday. But in reality, it was on Tuesday. We ended up missing it by two days. It was also a forgetful parent fail on my part.
How I remedied Forgetful Me?
After this, I made sure to buy a bulletin board to hang all important notices. I also starting to add the events to my iPhone calendar. I even write myself stickie notes now on my MacBook Pro that I see when I take my computer out of sleep mode or return to my desktop to double check. All this makes me feel like I belong in my old college abnormal psychology textbook under checking disorders. Ok, joking! But you get the idea still.
Image Originally on Wikipedia – I use these Stickie Notes to remind me of all…
But wait, forgetful me strikes again!
Well back during Christmas 2014, I had notes for all my paid blogging sponsored due dates, website design job due dates, Christmas shopping lists, bills due, my older daughter’s kindergarten winter in-class party (I was her class mom) donation/volunteer list and also a sticky note for the same daughter’s extracurricular activities, including her Daisy Girl Scout Caroling Trip.
The day of the Daisy Caroling and tee minus 3 days until Christmas, was a bit of a blur for me with last minute errands, furniture delivery and baking.
I knew caroling was at 5 pm. Like I said earlier, I had it on my iPhone calendar, pinned a note on my bulletin board and even had a Stickie note for it on my MacBook just in case (always checking here!).
So, ask me if we made it to Daisy caroling?
Yes, we did (checking paid off and proud of that fact at the very least).
So, where was the forgetful me, parenting fail here?
Well, wait for it!
As we pull up, park the car and begin to get out, I see it.
All the Daisy girls in my daughter’s troop are wearing their Daisy Tunics!
In happier times at Build A Bear recently where I totally remembered her tunic…
And guess who forget her Daisy tunic?
I am raising my hand high on this one and hanging my head in shame all at the same time.
Trust me, I wanted to crawl into a huge hole that would be totally self made.
All the other moms remembered their daughters tunics, but not me.
Even though it really wasn’t a big deal, it still was huge to me as I had done it again and truly forgot something so crucial and important for my daughter.
I mean, I was a Girl Scout, myself, for years and know that the tunic is something that an essential part of the uniform when attending meetings and events.
So, I have no excuse as to why I was forgetful me for this.
It was definitely in the e-mail that was sent to me about the event and guess that my brain was so hung up on the date and time – so as not to miss it like I did Kindergarten orientation that I just forgot that I saw the mention of the girls wearing their tunic that night in that e-mail. And yet deep down, I still should have recalled this, as I said from being a Girl Scout and even caroling, too back in the day.
Worst part of this whole thing though was waiting for my girl’s reaction, which came about 2 minutes into it, when she calmly turned to me and stated evenly, “Mommy, why did you forget my tunic? All the other girls have theirs.”
Totally felt lower then low and like I said no excuse. My husband even had taken a few hours off early from work that day to attend with us and even though he doesn’t even read these e-mails let alone write down stuff like this, he still found time to give me some more sage advice later that night by questioning, “Why don’t you write down all the essentials you need for events like this, when you put it in your calendar and not just the date and time?”
As much as I love my husband, right in the moment, I seriously wanted to physically hurt him (visions of sugarplums and strangling were dancing in my head). But still, he made a valid point.
What have I done to try to rectify this type of forgetful me, mommy fail?
You may have guessed it…
I added details to my calendar events, because I was hoping to hold onto my head for a few more years and also kill my bad habit of forgetting as much as I have in the past. Plus now both girls are in Girl Scouts and I am a troop leader. So, no excuses for missing tunics anymore!
*This story was retold for the Who I Am Project with Dana of Kiss My List and Bev of Linkouture, where I retold a past incident to illustrate a bad habit or quirk of mine in recent years.
Also, I edited a bit and am now linking this up with Kristi of Finding Ninee for Finish the Sentence Friday. The sentence to finish is “The Things I’ve Forgotten…”
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I am SO forgetful. If I don’t write it down, it won’t happen.
Janine says
Robin, same here as you can see!
Dara says
I write my schedule in my planner every week, even though it is almost always the same, because otherwise I can’t remember when I need to be where!
Janine says
Dara, I know if I don’t write it down, I most definitely won’t remember either!
Meredith says
I am SO with you! Dying over your “in happier times when I remembered her tunic” caption–you kill me, Janine!
Janine says
LOL, Meredith and trust me happier times seem to be a trend here when I do forget stuff of trying to think positive at the very least!! 🙂
Amanda || Growing Up Madison says
You sound very much like me. If I don’t have it in a million places I will forget. I’ve actually forgotten even after having it in a million places. I’m hoping to get better.
Janine says
I know I can have it in more than one place written down, but still have been known to forget, too.
Emily says
I blame it all on “mommy brain!” I have post-it notes all over my kitchen to remind me of things, plus I write everything down in my calendar AND I input dates into my iPhone…it still doesn’t help!!!
Janine says
Emily, I am with you on “Mommy Brain” and I know still doesn’t truly help here sadly either!!
Bill says
You and Bev would get along fine. 🙂 I tell her that her forgetfulness is adorable. I figure that’s a safe statement. 🙂 Happy Hump Day, Janine!
Janine says
Aw, that is a wonderful perfect statement and I think Bev and I would be fast friends form this and so much more. Happy Hump Day right back at you once again, Bill!! 🙂
Seana Turner says
This gets back to the 3 legs of the productivity stool: calendar, to-do, materials. I do write down in my calendar what I need to bring along with me… including the address and phone of the person I am meeting when appropriate. This way, if I need to make a call at the last minute, I can do so. But don’t beat yourself up, Janine. You are an AMAZING mother.. if forgetting a Daisy vest is your biggest failing, you are in excellent shape!!!
Janine says
Aw, thank you Seana for saying that about me and love your advice here, too. Seriously, you are pretty awesome in my book, too!!!! 🙂
Bev says
I wouldn’t blame you at all for forgetting things. As moms we have so much to keep in our brains, it’s a lot to juggle!
Janine says
Thanks Bev and I know we really do have so much as moms to juggle daily.
Carrie Groneman says
Oh my goodness, I have lists to remind me of my lists!!! ANOTHER great post Janine, I love your sense of ‘mommyhood’ 🙂 You’re truly the best ever!
Janine says
Thank you always Carrie and I am glad the lists are just my thing, too 🙂
Jack says
I never used to be forgetful but somewhere around 45 they replaced my brain with a colander and now stuff just slips and slides out.
Janine says
Aw, man Jack I will be 39 in June and I have that same colander for a brain, too!
Kevin says
Your husband sounds so smart. You should listen to him more often. In fact write that on the bulletin board, ‘listen to hubby’.
Janine says
Thanks dear hubby and will have to write that now!! LOL!
Tamara says
I think I have the same quirks and habits! And I have so been there!
Janine says
I think so and just reaffirms the twin co crept further! 😉
Leslie says
I had to laugh reading this since it was at school pick up today that I realized T wore the wrong uniform for the day. And it wasn’t an unusual uniform change, every Wednesday she’s supposed to wear her gym uniform, but for some reason, we all forgot this morning. So don’t think you’re the only one who forgets things!
On the other hand, why is it that other halves always seem to be so willing to dish out advice on how to juggle all these things, but don’t do anything to actually keep track of them?
Janine says
I know exactly what you mean, Leslie and trust me our better halves sound like they could be related!!!
Kisma says
If I don’t put a “dummy reminder” reminder in my phone to sound at a certain time at night, I wouldn’t remember the envelope I need to bring to work tomorrow.
Lol, thanks for the giggle making all us other “forgetful moms” feel not so alone today.
Janine says
Aw, glad it isn’t just me and have to remember the phone trick now,too. So thank you for sharing that tip with me 😉
katherines corner says
Thanks to menopause and medication I can totally relate to being forgetful. I make notes all of the time, but ask me if i read them, go ahead, ask..Nope, half the time they are just a stack of pretty little yellow post its. I use to have a great memory and I still do, just my short term memory is a mess. now what was I saying? …xo
Janine says
Aw I know the feeling so well, Katie and you are most certainly not alone at all on this one xoxo
Nellie says
I remember your orientation mix up so clearly, because I remember thinking this is SO something I would do!! I love your bulletin board, I need to get one myself!
Janine says
Aw, I hope you do get a bulletin board very soon now 🙂
Dana says
Oh, gotta love when your child says, “But Mommy, how come you forgot…” I feel your pain, Janine! My habit is making a list of all my errands and what I need to buy, and then leaving it on the kitchen table. I know I should put it in my phone, but I like the paper. Thanks for joining us this month!
Janine says
Aw, so happy to join you again and the phone does help if nothing else, but still I am so very forgetful – so anything that can help in my book in a win-win.
Aunt Gloria says
Stuff happens! I had something similar earlier this month….I had reserved for lunch at the monthly Opera League meeting, which I look forward to. The day came and went and it occurred to me too late I missed it! I was disappointed since it was the last one I would be able to attend before I head home. Too much going on. Sounds like you have set up markers and a good system for remembering dates and needed details. I will have to follow your example! Remember…..Have a happy weekend! xxoo
Janine says
Aunt Gloria, so true and stuff definitely happens. That said, hope you too are having a great weekend xoxo 😉
Aunt Gloria says
It was a nice weekend….nothing special. Now looking forward to Auntie Anne arriving tomorrow and then we head to NY March 28, See you soon. xxoo
Janine says
Aw, give Auntie Anne a big hug and kiss for me and will see you both next week now, too xoxo 🙂
Jen says
Girlfriend I forget EVERYTHING!! My kids have begun to learn that if it is important they might want to consider bringing it themselves. That is one happy side effect for my forgetfulness. Everything else about it kind of stinks! P.S. I might have done the old accidental purse whack-a-roo to my husband. It is big enough to cause minimal discomfort.
Janine says
I got to remember the purse wackiest get and cannot wait u till my kids are old enough to remember to bring g it themselves, too!! 😉
Rea says
I probably have that kind of moment before, although I can’t remember any significant event where I forgot something important but I have to say, I do forget some other stuff about my household too. I try to write everything on my planner, or notes app on my phone. The bulletin board is a great idea! Well then at least next time you’d know what else to add. 🙂
Janine says
Rea, I truly love my bulletin board and has very much helped me with my forgetfulness 😉
Rabia @TheLiebers says
I lose everything! In fact, I’ve already lost my list of topics for the Blogging A to Z project and it hasn’t even started yet!!
Janine says
Oh man I know the feeling and seriously sounds like we could shake hands on this and more!! 😉
Lizzi says
Visions of sugarplums and stranglings? That’s AWESOME! Glad you have a handle on it now 🙂
Janine says
Thanks Lizzi and I just couldn’t resist though with those sugarplums and stranglings though!! 🙂
Mo at Mocadeaux says
Oh, I can relate to this completely, Janine! So many times I remember 95% of what needs to be done and it’s the last 5%, the part I forget, that is the most crucial. I, too, have started including notes within my calendar posts so I remember the who, what, when, where of every event. I can proudly say I’m up to 97% and screw up a little less often!
Janine says
Mo, thankfully I am getting there, too, but still that 3% give or take gets me every time!!
The Pinterested Parent says
I am literally the worst. My husband wants to wring my neck most of the time because of it. Lol
Janine says
Same here and glad it isn’t just me though 😉
Kristi R Campbell says
OMG Janine! So glad you linked this up. I’m horrible about remembering stuff and rely totally on my iPhone calendar even for my sibling’s birthdays!! SHHHH don’t tell them! Also to the whole “I am raising my hand high on this one and hanging my head in shame all at the same time.” YUP!!!
Janine says
So happy I linked up, too. When I saw your sentence, I had that moment like I totally wrote about this and yet had a senior moment of “I did, didn’t I”. But thankfully I found it and just glad it isn’t just me though with these forgetful types of moments!! 🙂
Hillary Savoie says
Oh I made such good use of those desktop sticky notes at one point! lifesavers. Now I use a little notebook organized by area of my life: Writing, my daughter, my foundation, household, etc. Then iI use that to inform daily to do lists 🙂
Janine says
Hillary, I have a notebook notepad, as well in my kitchen drawer now on top of this and thank god for notes in general as they are lifesavers indeed 🙂
Kenya G. Johnson says
LOL, I felt you when Kevin made is suggestion. I was already – “Oh no he didn’t!” LOL!
I tend to go ahead and put things in my car even if it’s way ahead of time. Being written down anywhere isn’t going to help me when I’m rushing out of the door.
Janine says
LOL, exactly my reaction! And putting in the car before I’d need something is a great idea and might have to try to add this to my list now, too!! 🙂
Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says
I live by my planner. Busy minds have to find some way to keep it all together!
Janine says
I agree totally, Lisa!! 🙂