Stirring pasta and emailing never ends well

Today’s Parent Pause is a gentle reminder:Let’s stop trying to do everything at once.Multitasking can feel impressive: stirring pasta, answering emails, finding missing Lego, booking dentist appointments, all at the same time.Except... it doesn't actually work.Half the time we end up emailing the dentist about pasta and cooking the Lego by mistake.The truth is, multitasking isn’t really multitasking.It’s just frantic, fast-switching between tasks, and it’s exhausting.It’s like trying to leap between moving trains and wondering why we’re shattered by lunchtime.So today’s small invitation:One thing at a time.When we’re making tea, just make the tea.When we’re listening to a child’s story of their day (even if it’s long, baffling, and a bit boring), really listen.When we’re answering a message, just do that, not order the sock drawer at the same time.It’s not about doing less.It’s about giving each moment the space it deserves and finding a bit more breathing room for ourselves in the process.Thanks for pausing with me. Go gently. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kimmccabe.substack.com/subscribe