On Tuesdays and Thursday mornings I get my girls dressed up, fix their hair, make their lunches and get them loaded into the car to drop them off at our church for the Mother’s Day out program. This is has been a life saver for me because it gives me a break, gives me extra writing time and frankly keeps me sane, but also it’s been great for them because they’ve learned things and had social time. Busybee has been learning how to write her name and has learned about the seasons and nature. Babybee, well, she’s in a room with other little ones and they’re just trying to get through the day without someone drawing blood. 
But one thing I’ve noticed throughout this year as I drop the girls off and then pick them up again…the other moms. They’re so much cuter than me. Fitter and more put together. They show up in their cute work-out gear, clearly heading to the gym after disposing of their children. Whereas I show up well, looking more like that picture there. Actually that’s a pretty good rendition of what my hair would look like if I brushed it. Anyone remember Rosanna-Rosanna-Dana from SNL? Gotta love Gilda Radner. Seriously, my hair does that, ask Emily, she brushed it one time at a conference just to see what it did. But I digress. In any case I’m a jeans (or capris as the season would have it) and flip-flop kind of gal. No make-up, unless I’m going somewhere fancy like a writer’s meeting or a photo shoot. And well we’re lucky if I’ve remembered to shave my legs.
Those other moms though, they’re so cute. Maybe they’re all younger than me. I was 37 when I became a mom. Or maybe it’s because I was a full-time writer for 7 years before I became a mom and got used to working from home and not having a whole lot of human contact throughout the day. I don’t know, but I know that I feel like a big ‘ol frump queen when I drop them off. Now has this changed my appearance? Heavens no because I don’t follow convention and I’m far too old to start fixing myself up for reasons such as these.
So how about y’all? Are you the dress-up-every-time-you-leave-the-house kind of gal or are you (I’ll resist the urge to call any of you lovely ladies frumpy) a comfy-wearing-your-tennis-shoes-and-t-shirt kind of gal?
I’m Robyn DeHart, AKA Basket-Case Mama, but not because I’m crazy (though really, what mom isn’t?) but because I have a slight obsession with baskets, well containers really. I’m a bit of an organization nut and I love to containerize stuff. And yes, I’m authorized to use words like that because I am also a writer. But back to the kids, so I’m mom to two ridiculously beautiful little girls and I can say that without bragging because I didn’t actually make them. Last year my husband, The Professor, and I adopted said little lovelies from the foster-care system here in Texas and now we’re a big happy forever family. Busybee is three and so full of joy it just oozes from her. Babybee is a walking-talking toddler who has a heck of a temper but is so cute, it almost keeps her out of trouble. Though neither of my girls are newborns, I’m fairly new to motherhood compared to the other peanut butter moms, but we’ve settled in as a family as if we’ve always been together. When I’m not trying to keep up with my two bundles of energy, you can usually find me on my laptop on Pinterest, no, that’s not right, um…you can find me writing, yes, that’s it, writing my latest historical romance. www.robyndehart.com
I’m with you, Robyn! =) I love my comfortable clothes and my comfortable shoes and just feeling…well, comfortable. I used to wear makeup more before kids, but I barely remember to put it on now. As for doing my hair…that’s what scrunchies were created for, right? =) Honestly, I’m just proud of myself for surviving throughout the day with the girls. Maybe when they’re in school and I have more time to myself It’ll be different. Maybe.
Sunglasses. That’s me most days. Oh, and the runner’s cap I wear when I haven’t had time to wash my hair. Yep, I am the opposite of chic. Plus the fact that I’m wearing the same khaki skort every day. It’s my way of being green, and it goes with every shirt in my closet!
*snort* I love that. Yes, we wear the same clothes again and again b/c we’re green and conscious of the environment!
Even when I was dressed to go to work in Aust the mums who dropped their kids off at school I thought always looked more chic than me!! Now with drive through drop off for the kids, it doesn’t matter how daggy I look, but I’m hating my hair at the moment, so no matter what I do I always think it looks sucky!
I don’t worry too much about it now when I go to the shops as I’m not likely to run into anyone I know!! Of course now that I’ve said that, it will happen LOL
I know exactly what you are talking about. i always look horrible because I’ve had no time to do my hair and I throw on old shorts and a t-shirt. I mean, I’m going to go home and sit in front of my computer all day anyway. The few times I’ve had something to do and did my hair or whatever, people always say something to me along the lines of, “Your hair looks so nice” or “Why are you so dressed up?” (this when I am wearing jeans!). So, yep! I’m one of THOSE moms too.
I had to come and comment. However, when I was in Cali it didn’t matter. One I had my mom friends and travel in a pack. So it didn’t really matter what I would wear. If I could I would wear my jammies. We actually walked are kids to school cause it jammie day. That was a lot of fun. When we moved to Montana, I lost my pack. I’ve been the long mom for the last month. However, I still walk my daughter to school in sweats. I walk after I drop her off. No point getting doll up to break a sweat.
I feel that way every time I drop my kids off at school/day care! I’m in the exercise gear, too, but more because stretchy capris and yoga pants (yes, I’m *that* mom) and tank tops feel more comfortable. I’m not *actually* going to work out. *cue hysterical laughter*
I watch the fit, gorgeous moms who weigh a buck five sopping wet with a twinge of envy, but then I shrug it off because I know I’m going home to write and they’re going to their 9-5 job and I don’t envy that aspect of their lives.
And you know what? I’ll bet they envy us not having that 9-5 job, too. And being able to sleep later because we don’t need extra time to put makeup on. There are some benefits to being one of “those” moms.
Not a mom, nor parent, but there was a time (and it wasn’t that long ago) when I wouldn’t leave the house in less than a three piece suit, perfectly knotted tie, French cuffs on the shirt, etc. These days, I’ll throw on an extremely disreputable sweatsuit that should be taken out and shot on general principles, and that’s about as good as it gets anymore!
I’m so glad I’m not the only slob…er comfy dresser out there. Long live t-shirts and flip-flops!