Image by Getty Images via @daylifeDid you ever see that show, "What not to Wear?" Or read the back page of Cosmo where they show pictures of fashion don'ts? Well, there are days that I resemble the people they feature way too much.
Today, I actually went out to the grocery store in stretch pants. Some may call them yoga pants but to me... STRETCH PANTS! Pre-motherhood, I would have never been caught dead leaving the house like that. I can see my picture now with that dreaded black bar over my eyes to protect my identity from my shameful decision.
Oh, I also had no makeup on and crazy hair. Thankfully, it was clean hair.... just half curly, half straight, clean crazy hair.
Makes me wonder... where have I gone? Yes, there are so many blessings that come with motherhood. Yes, I am eternally grateful that my husband is able to pick up enough overtime so that I can stay home.
But, I think I'm in a rut. With only one car, there are days that I don't leave the house. Having nowhere to go, no time to be there, and no one to see is making it difficult for me to see the point in dealing with the hassle of getting a shower before 8pm. With no shower comes no picking out outfits, doing of hair, or putting on makeup. Leaving me feeling like I wasted a day.
The problem is that this is not a good routine for me. I need to get ready for my day. I need to feel like 'me'. And I need to not be in a room full of mirrors with Stacy and Clinton telling me how many 'fashion no-no's' I'm currently wearing.
So, I've been bribing Abby to work with me on this. I've been working out daily for the past couple of weeks. At first, I only worked out when Abby was sleeping but I seemed to loose my motivation by the time she took a nap. So, now I give her the portable DVD player, throw in a kid movie, and magic happens! To think, there was a time when I swore that Abby wouldn't watch TV!
She's glued to the screen. She carries her movie around with her if wants to sit somewhere else. The most awesome part... she doesn't try to stand behind my butt when I do a squat!
I even figured out how to get a shower afterwards by taking her in with me! When I'm done, I let her stay in and play while I get ready in the bathroom. I have to admit, I miss my privacy but this has so many advantages. It gives me time to put face cream on. Put lotion on my legs. Put mouse in my hair. It's wonderful!
If I do all of this before nap time then I even get time to catch up the things that I can't do when she's awake. Fun things, like putting my clothes away in the bedroom or cleaning the bathroom or maybe even unloading the dishwasher!
I think I've finally figured out how to be 'me' and a mom. That is, until she gets bored with the dvd player and goes through another phase where she doesn't like baths or showers (which happens out of nowhere and lasts for weeks). Or perhaps she'll decide that she doesn't like taking afternoon naps anymore and our whole day will be turned around. You ever notice that once you have things figured out, they change?
So, I'm curious, how do other mommas do it? Anyone have a clever tip they can share?
I went through a phase like that when my kids where babies. There are still days that I stay in my work out clothes all day ( even if I didn't work out).
ReplyDeleteI joined a gym last week and started going today. My new plan it to take my shower as soon as I get home, dress and make up. Every day.
My tip....is putting shoes on. If I wear shoes...I get a ton more done.
Well you summed it up perfectly. It's hard to take care of ourselves when we are busy taking care of our little ones 24/7. They just require our constant attention at this young age.
ReplyDeleteI always thought that too...just when I was getting a hang of things, something changed and time to start all over again.
Sounds like you're doing a great job trying to sneak in some time to care for yourself. Amazing how even these simplest tasks seem like major feats during this phase. It does get better, yes things constantly change but soon you will start to feel more and more like yourself.
Yesterday I went to the grocery store in sweats (cute sweats, but still they should stay at home) and absolutely no makeup. Oh, and my hair was not clean. Ick! And the worst part: my kids are in school now. Every day.
ReplyDeleteI think during the toddler years I just had to let go of my vanity and have yet to fully reclaim it!
It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job of keeping a balance. That is the key -- to lovingly care for your kids without losing yourself! The days are long but the years are short -- it won't be long before you'll have all the private showers you could ever dream of!!!
I totally wear sweats out a lot...I know I should really get dressed but I am still 10 lbs from my prepregnancy weight...but as soon as I get there I have vowed to get dressed more lol Lets see if that happens! :) 2 under 2 gives me a reason to not got dressed all the time... the funny thing is I am so anal on their clothes and dressing them so cute and here I am looking like a scrub! haha! Oh well I will get there in time! I pull it together for Mass every Sunday though... that is a start! :)
ReplyDeleteI really really try to run in all errands in jeans or capris. It forces me to pay more attention to other areas of my appearance. If your working out though and not just lounging around in your sweats, then who cares. You are doing so much more for her and you so if your happy then no need to worry about what others think. I've had a home elliptical for years and now just joined a gym with a kids club so I'm grateful for the ease of that.
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