I suppose some people are naturally organized and efficient. I am willing to entertain the argument that organization and efficiency are not linked to parenthood. But I think that parenthood spurs the development of such traits along a bit, and I’m definitely biased–I think the most impressively organized non-parent has nothing on a mom or dad juggling work, family, kids and all the complications that come with such living arrangements and lifestyle choices.
Of course, I don’t know what I would have been like had I not had children. I’ve been a mom since I was twenty-three and have parented alone for most of my parenting life–so my experience has demanded organization, flexibility, and efficiency (and the ability to just let some things go)–but I think I am in good company with anyone else who has taken on the realities of parenthood–whether they are married, partnered, younger, older or single. So, since I have no way of knowing how I would have evolved if I’d been childless, I’ve developed a fantasy of my “other, alternate-reality” self and I’m telling you she is not nearly as organized as the real me.
The childless me does things one at a time, she’s able to linger over breakfast and has enough money to buy gourmet coffee (since she’s not buying a gallon of milk a day) and she’s able to go directly to her pleasant job–no phone calls from home to interrupt her day. Maybe she even goes to a fancy, expensive lunch with coworkers and works late, since it takes her longer to accomplish work projects as there’s no need for her to rush, juggle and develop shortcuts and time-management techniques. I could go on with my fantasy about what life would be like for the childless, alternative-reality me, but you get the picture.
But, in fact, parenting life has made me the consummate organized, efficient, multi-tasker. I know how to water the plants while I take a shower (I’m a mom, I’m used to sharing my personal space), vacuum and dust at the same time, make work calls while I grocery shop, juggle schedules, responsibilities, obligations and activities. I don’t think I would have learned how to do all that if the necessities of family life didn’t force my personal development.
What do you think? Does parenthood make you better organized?