Rethinking Mom Brain

Before kids, I used to be the type of person who never needed a planner. My whole life was in my head, and I could remember birthdays, appointments, and deadlines without writing a single thing down. Fast forward to motherhood, and now I can’t function without a planner, sticky notes, and about three different reminder apps.

And let me just confess: on my oldest child’s first day of school, I forgot to pack their backpack. Yep. The one thing you definitely don’t want to forget on the very first day.

At first, I thought something was wrong with me. Was I suddenly scatterbrained? Was I just tired? Turns out, this is what motherhood does to your brain—and it’s actually for a reason.

Your Brain Gets Rewired for Connection

During pregnancy and beyond, your brain literally remodels itself. Scientists have found that the parts of the brain that help you read emotions, pick up on subtle cues, and respond to your baby’s needs become stronger. That’s why you notice the tiniest change in your baby’s cry or why you can sense when something feels “off” with your child even before anyone else does.

It’s not that you’re less capable than before—it’s that your brain is prioritizing what matters most right now: keeping your child safe and connected to you.

Why You Feel More Sensitive

Ever feel like you’re on high alert 24/7? Like you hear every creak in the house at night or wake up before your baby even cries? That’s your brain’s emotional center kicking into overdrive. It’s wired to keep you protective and tuned in.

Of course, the flip side is that it can also make you more anxious or overwhelmed. That’s not a personal failing—it’s biology doing its job a little too well sometimes.

The “Mom Brain” Forgetfulness

So about that backpack on the first day of school… this is where “mom brain” comes in. When you’re responsible for keeping tiny humans alive, your brain reallocates its energy. It sharpens skills like multitasking, emotional awareness, and vigilance, but it sometimes sacrifices the little details (like remembering to grab the backpack by the door).

Add in sleep deprivation and the endless to-do lists, and of course things are going to slip. Your brain isn’t broken—it’s just working differently now.

The Long-Term Upside

Here’s the really cool part: these changes don’t just fade away once your kids grow up. Studies suggest that motherhood actually rewires the brain for the long haul, strengthening things like empathy, resilience, and connection.

So while you might be juggling planners, alarms, and sticky notes now, you’ve also gained a brain that’s laser-focused on love, protection, and connection.

✨ The takeaway? Motherhood doesn’t make you “less sharp”—it makes you different. And while we may laugh about “mom brain,” the truth is, our brains are doing exactly what they’re designed to do: help us show up for our kids in the best way possible (even if they occasionally go to school without a backpack).