Multi-Tasking Mom, Wife, Teacher, Christian and Community Member

Michael Wesch’s YouTube video, “A Vision of Students Today” gave me an opportunity to do some pondering regarding multi-tasking. Young adults are fairly competent at multi-tasking technology, but it raises a question in my mind, “how competent will they be at multi-tasking as adults?”

I say this, because most of what these college students were multi-tasking was “fun” stuff. Facebooking, texting, talking with friends, etc. Yet what about the needs that will require multi-tasking as adults?

I’ve read that one of the downsides of technology being discovered, is that the part of the brain that allows us to plan long range is not being developed. Young people can use their cell phone to quickly call and say, “Hey Mom, pick me up at the Hollister door in 2 minutes”. Gone are the days in which a parent and child would go to the mall and say, “Ok, we will meet at this door in 30 minutes.” At which point said child would have to mentally calculate, “Well, it takes me 5 minutes to walk to Maurices, which gives me 15 min. to look around and try on clothes, 5 min to pay for it, then another 5 to get back to meet Mom.” These mental skills are not being developed, so what happens if that part of the brain nearly disappears?

I have personally have had one of the busiest, craziest, hectic weeks I can ever recall. Here’s a run down:

Mon, Jan 19th- I got sick with the flu and spent many hours in the bathroom. (All of this after I spent a full day teaching, hosting a speech team meeting, and writing sub notes for the next day)

Tue, Jan 20th- my son had a tonsillectomy so we spent hours at the hospital and lots of time at home dolling out much needed TLC.

Wed, Jan 21st- my mother came to our house to stay for three days so she could help take care of Parker so that my husband and I could get to work. After eating the supper I had thrown into the crock pot that morning knowing I was busy, I returned to school from 7-9 pm to grade 50 final scrapbooks.

Thur, Jan 22nd- after teaching, I brought home 75 essays to grade. My mom helped me total points and enter grades into my gradebook.

Fri, Jan 23rd- workshop day at school. Scrambled to finish grading, re-organize my classroom, and design “first day of school materials” for the three different classes I would begin teaching on Monday before I attended several meetings scheduled during our “work day”. Understandably, though, as it’s the only time all teachers are available at the same time. Friday night, mom went home, but we spent time making a fort with the kids in the TV room and watching movies.

Sat, Jan 24th- my husband got sick with a different type of flu- one which left him completely unable to move for 2 days. I spent 5 hours at school doing My Homework, and coordinating a speech meet in which 200 kids from other schools will be coming to Annandale to compete on Thursday, 29th.

Sun, Jan 25th- after teaching Sunday School and going to church service, I then attended a 2 hour meeting as I have been voted in as a council member of my church. I returned home to cook, clean, do laundry, and continue to doll out TLC to sick hubby, recovering son, and a daughter that we’re suspecting may have strep throat now. Spent time figuring out how to arrange our schedules for Monday.

Mon, Jan 26th- my hubby work up admitting that he’s still too sick to get to work- so we re-configured how to get kids to school and daycare- and the possibility of getting our daughter to the doctor for a throat culture. Good news- this opened to door for me to get to school incredibly early to finish My Homework. Then be mentally prepped for the “first day of school”, another speech meeting, then off to class.


I write this down not to complain or sound whiney, but this is what occurs when a person multi tasks as a parent, spouse, employee, active Christian and involved community member. If the “long range planning” part of my brain didn’t function- my family’s life would completely fall apart!