As an at-home-parent, I try to keep my son & I busy with playdates, dads group activities, parent & me classes, visiting family, and errands. However, truth be told, most of our active time is spent together – alone. In my minimal spare time, I am keeping in touch with friends, on email, or blogging. I do not have the free time to do as much reading as I would like. Therefore, most of my time is spent socializing with a 16-month old child. Does it affect my intelligence over time? Are my losing my sharp edge and wit?
If your like me & have had these types of thoughts, then you will truly enjoy Is My kids Making Me Not Smart, the latest ramble on Salon.com from parenting journalist Aaron Traister. Thanks to Adam for sharing this gem! This is one of those articles where I sat at my PC nodding in agreement with what Traister is describing in his latest article. His opening statement, “I don’t know if parenting makes you chronically stupid or just temporarily slow, but after nearly four years of child rearing, most of them spent as a stay-at-home dad, my intellect has been dulled to a nub”, has made me reflect on the past year of at-home daddyhood. For me, I feel like I have become more intelligent in another world so distant from what I was educated in or passionate about learning. So, maybe I am less smart in world news, politics, recent company mergers, what charter school recently opened, and what skit was controversial on Saturday Night Live this week. Sure, maybe my wit is a bit off kilter, and my first thought during a conversation with someone is something about my child. Consequently, maybe, I am more well rounded, and a better person for it. Jury is still out…
Do you feel that parenting has affected your intelligence level? In a negative way?
I can relate. I’ve been a stay-at-home mother for almost 7 years & I feel as sharp as a plastic butter knife.