I do not want to be one of those frumpy moms. You know. You’ve seen them in Walmart. Hair in a ponytail, sweats, a baggy t-shirt stained with kid crud, no Make-up.
Granted we all have our days as moms when we don’t look our best. Maybe some of us have even gone to Target once or twice looking like we just rolled out of bed. We probably did just roll out of bed, only to find that our child had a bad cold and there wasn’t any children’s Tylenol around. Thank goodness for 24-hour shopping. Unfortunately the job of mom just doesn’t lend itself to glamour, though Angelina Jolie and Kate Hudson try their hardest to make it look like it does.
Don’t worry, I am not suggesting that we should all walk around the house vacuuming in high heels and pearls like Donna Reed. I have my own frumpy mom confessions to make. On days I know I’m not going out, I don’t put on make-up. I have never lost all of the extra “baby weight”. Sometimes I wear my pajamas all day and change just before my husband gets home from work. But I do make an effort to take care of myself most of the time. When my son was younger, especially a newborn, it was hard to find time for myself. As he’s gotten older though I’ve tried make an effort. I just don’t want to look in the mirror 10 years from now and wonder why I let myself go. Somewhere beyond the sink full of dirty dishes and the endless games of hide seek there is still a girl who likes to wear pretty dresses and buy new lipsticks.
I have devised over these last two and a half years a plan of sorts to combat the frumps.
1. Keep your toe nails painted, even when sandals are out of season. It’s faster than a manicure and usually lasts longer. When you bend down to scrub Koolaide out of the carpet you’ll catch a glimpse of your cute toes and feel better.
2. Even if you’re not putting on make-up for the day, wash your face and moisturize. If your over 30, plaster on some Oil of Olay. I know 30 isn’t that old, but think preemptive strike here. Your 60-year-old self will thank you someday.
3. When there are kids to dress the budget can be tight, but try to purchase at least one new, fashionable piece of clothing for yourself each season.
4. Shower regularly, please. Don’t forget to shave your legs. This will be beneficial to you on those nights when the kids are actually in bed and you find yourself alone with your husband.
5. Make time to be alone with your husband. His affection for you can make you feel attractive even after a day of digging up worms in the back yard.
6. Buy cute underwear. Even if you are wearing sweats, something cute underneath will make you feel better. This will also help with number five.
7. Do something to your hair other than putting it up in a ponytail at-least twice a week.
8. Read fashion magazines to remind yourself there’s a world beyond diapers and bottles.
9. If you’re going out in public, even just grocery shopping, do your hair and put on some make-up. You’ll feel better about yourself if you know you look nice.
10. Get some exercise at-least three times a week. I have been doing this for a couple months now and I have more energy and muscle tone. I haven’t lost much weight, but it still makes me feel better about myself.
11. If you feel like you’re in a real beauty slump get a new haircut or change your hair color.
12. Wear jeans as an alternative to sweats. They look so much better, just don’t wear those high-wasted, pegged “mom” jeans.
13. Find a comfortable shoe with a bit of a high heel to wear out with your jeans. An elevated heel lifts everything in the back, and what woman who has given birth can’t use a little lift?
14. Get some cute PJs for those days you don’t have time to get dressed.
15. Remember you are always beautiful on the inside, and that’s what really matters.
Excellent advice! . . . even for the stay at home wife. Like you, I often wait until just before my husband returns home from work to get ready. After a day of house cleaning, that is the best way to go…to be my freshest and it feels so good! However, my husband has been off work for sometime now, and home…it has thrown my routine out of whack. I am surprised at how easily it has become for me to settle in to doing nothing to myself while he is home. Why is that? Strange, but true. Your advice has encouraged me to make an effort. No children are required…a woman can find herself very comfortable in sweats and no make-up at any stage of her life…yes, even before kids…we all must beware of complacency…single women, too! Ladies, let’s encourage one another to make that extra effort…it will make us feel oh, so good about ourselves…and we’re worth it! 🙂