In some ways the definition of Modern Motherhood includes being good at multitasking. We’re juggling all the time: schedules, jobs, play dates, doctors appointments, birthday parties. But what if we don’t? What if we try to just do one thing at a time?

I think I’ve been pondering all this because of the fact that I’ve started meditating. I’m a beginner…and it’s slow going. But I love it, and you know what you do when you meditate? Just sit and breathe. The more you do it, the more you kind of want to just do one thing a time.

So, I’m making some end-of-the-year resolutions:

I am going to try NOT to:

1) Talk on the phone while making dinner.

2) Brush my teeth while watching the news, or doing laundry.

3) Check my e-mail in the carpool line, or the carpool lane on the highway for that matter.

Or–this is the one I find myself doing, and then feeling really guilty about:  When I read to the children, I will not make lists in my head about what I have to do the next day. “Good Night chair, goodnight bear…” (Am I bringing snack tomorrow? Need to get a sitter for Friday? Need mayonnaise, write thank you notes, blog, pay visa, plan birthday, what if I am bringing snack? Neck hurts, find yoga class, would they eat soup in a thermos?) “Goodnight Cow Jumping Over the Moon.”

I know the kids sense when I am not fully present. Even if I am somehow managing to get the story read, the pages turned, they know. And that’s not the message that I want to be sending them, that their Mommy is not really interested in hearing their stories, or reading them stories.

Here’s a great link to an article in New York Times about how multitasking is not actually as effective as we think and is actually quite stressful on the brain.

www.nytimes.com/2008/10/25/business/yourmoney/25shortcuts.html

And if you want to a great book on meditation, read: Wherever You Are There You Are –Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by John Kabat-Zin. Buy it  on Amazon.com, or better yet, support your local bookstore and pick up a copy there.

About the Author:

Lee Rose Emery, writer and actress is the founder of the award winning LACityMom.com blog: “tips from the carpool lane…” Her work can be seen on line, on-stage, film, and in print. An East Coast transplant, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two kids, and Springer Spaniel.