Community Voices for Health

By: Janice Johnson-Plumer

I now know the true meaning of “mommy mode.” As mothers, we tend to use the term loosely. What does it mean to me? Mommy mode is when you have to multitask to get 10 things done at once; when you don’t care how you look doing it, as long as it gets done; when energy from deep down in your body kicks in to help you get it all done.

My mommy mode came into effect when my husband went away to Atlanta to watch the New England Patriots play the Atlanta Falcons. I guess I took for granted all the times my husband takes our son to his football practices and games, because I was in for a rude awakening. It didn’t help matters that I wasn’t speaking to him either.

It started Friday morning when I had to take my husband to the train station at 6:00 a.m. I normally sleep at least a half an hour longer since I don’t have to drop our son off at school until 7:45 a.m. Needless to say, I am not the most joyful person in the morning. Nonetheless, I got up to take him to the train station, wished him a great trip and drove back home. I then had to let the dog out, get our son up, feed him breakfast (quick cereal and his favorite chocolate milk), get myself dressed, bring the dog back in, grab our bags and head out the door to drop our son off at school, and then off to work. It was a busy morning!

That afternoon, it was getting close to the end of the day and my mind was on leaving work and getting our son, Quincy, to football practice by 5:00 p.m. Keep in mind I work until 4:30 p.m. I then ran out of work pick Quincy up at the extended day after school program, drove home (thank goodness I live two minutes from the school). I dragged my work bag, lunch bag and pocketbook out the car and then it was game on. Our dog Louie was jumping up like crazy because he needed to go out. I let him out and yelled at Quincy to get dressed for practice. Of course, my son was taking his time, not realizing he had to get to practice. He finally got dressed, I let Louie in, and we were off to practice.

I dropped Quincy off at practice and then mommy mode kicked into high gear. I got home and threw together a meal for us to eat that evening. I had to hurry because it gets dark earlier and I didn’t want Quincy to be the last one remaining. I got to the school just as they were wrapping up with practice. Then it was back home to eat, let the dog out one more time, and get ready for bed.

Day 2 

It’s Saturday and I have to have some “me” time. I went to the gym and worked out for an hour, rushed home and got my son up for the day. I take Quincy to the Y, where we have a family membership and worked out for an hour. Then we headed to Subway to grab lunch and headed back home to get ready for his football game at 7:00 p.m. I arrived at the stadium only to find out that the game has been pushed back to 7:30 p.m. Great. I was sitting there in the cold, with a blanket but no coffee. Luckily, my sister dropped by and took me to get a coffee nearby. I got back and watched the game, which was over by 9:00 p.m. We went home, got ready for bed, and we were out like a light.

Day 3

It’s Sunday and I went to church while my son stayed home and slept. I got home and we went to breakfast. We left breakfast, ran to the grocery store, put the groceries away at home, and grabbed something to eat. I fit in a run with a friend and some much-needed alone time. Then, I drove my son to his 6:30 p.m. basketball game in Waltham. Well, I had to stop along the way, but got him to the game just in time to play. By this time, I was exhausted. I was drained and felt like a taxi driver.

Day 4

It’s Monday and the hubby was still in the ATL and I had to get up and do it all over again. Bring Quincy to school, go to work, go home, rush off to practice, come back home to cook dinner. I was counting the hours until my husband would return.

Day 5 

It’s Tuesday and my husband was coming home. Prior to leaving, he had told me he would take the train home. Well, I received a text asking if I could pick him up at the airport. I haven’t been to the airport in a while, so when I got there I ended up looping around, driving right into the parking lot where there is no way out but to enter in. Luckily, the guy in the booth could see the lost look on my face and he let me through without charging me. My husband finally got his luggage and we were on the way home, when my son started chanting that he was hungry….

You may have had periods of time when you were in “mommy mode.” Or you may recall a specific time when you had a hectic moment. I look back and wonder how I was able to do all that I did in the amount of time I had to do it. I learned that I am a capable, hard working woman who can get things done. As mothers, we should know that we can get things done, even if it means not being able to do what we want to do at all times.

The time away from my husband affirmed that I can do it, and I can do it well.

What are your “mommy mode” moments?