When Did I Become Information Central?
Do you ever feel like you are the person everyone comes to when they need something? I think I just might be that person. Somehow they think I know all of the answers (which is news to me!).
It isn’t just my kids and husband that “need” me to figure out where things are, what appointments they have, etc., it is other family members too.
I am the girl with the answers, apparently. Extended family members come to me when they want to remember dates for events, phone numbers, and just about anything else they can think of. Why me? It isn’t like I have an empty plate just waiting to be filled. In a way it is flattering, in another way it stresses me out.
I think the next time they come to me for these types of answers, I am going to suggest that they:
- Take a minute to see if they can find the information without my help
- Google – you can find just about anything with Google!
- Let their spouse and kids help them remember dates and events
- Start an online calendar of their own. After all, that is how I keep track of things!
Does everyone come to you when they need something, can’t find something, or can’t remember something? I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject! Let’s talk!
[photo by Xurble]
Editor’s note: This post was written by Jennifer Regan, author of the Eighty MPH Mom blog and The Speedy Gourmet blog.
Posted on August 4, 2011, in Delegation, Family, Lists, Mom Tips, Organization. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
Loved your first suggestion to give them time to see if they can figure it out themselves. That takes patience and the ability to ignore whining but it’s such a good parenting strategy and eventually yields strong, healthier, better adjusted kids. Thank you.
Thank you! I agree – they are all smart enough to figure it out if they take the time to do so. I think it is just easier (for them) to ask me instead.
Oh how I can relate! I’m sick of having to remember EVERYTHING for hubby! Sometimes even HIS work schedule or he’d forget to go!
Love the suggestions! I may send this article to him as a “hint” lol
Hints are good! His own work schedule? That’s bad…he is lucky you are there to help, although he will have to start figuring it out on his own it seems
I feel ya!
It happens in real life and I notice it a lot online. People will post a question on Twitter for something that they can easily find out by themselves.
Part of it could be that they are lazy, but I think it’s also partly that people would rather chat with a friend instead of doing a search online or looking at their calendar.
I hear you. I get it both at home and at work. (I am the project administrator for a creative agency.) I feel like some days I am the brains of all operations. It gets to be too much on some days. Unfortunately my family takes the heat on these things. I often say I can’t keep being the brains of the operation.
My kids are young so they aren’t quite to the google stage. But, I have a calendar on our fridge that they help me with each month. It gives them a chance to see what is happening. While my youngest can’t read yet, he is close, they at least know by color when they have something and what days they have to bring their gym shoes to school etc.