This morning, as I was dropping off Little at preschool and running a couple errands, I found myself avoiding people’s eyes. I was (ok, let’s face it, this should be the present tense) am wearing yesterday’s clothes, I have my bangs pinned back because they desperately need to be cut (along with the other frazzled hairs on my head) and I didn’t get a chance to put on makeup before shuffling out the door. I wasn’t looking my best, that’s for sure. (Then again, I wasn’t looking my worst, so there’s almost always that.)
But a couple stops in, I noticed that almost everyone I did look at gave me a warm smile. It wasn’t because they thought, “Wow, there’s a mom with style.” Or, “It’s hard to tell which is darker—the circles under her eyes or her dead front tooth.” It was because they were admiring the one accessory I did think to grab this morning (phew!). Pink.
She happened to be particularly engaging this morning. It seems she’s finally back to feeling like her sweet, fun self after that nasty birthday gift—a double ear infection. She’s spent the morning saying hi, waving to everyone and seeing just how deep her dimple can get. Who wouldn’t smile at that?
I realized that since having kids, I’ve read a bunch of articles about how to look your best after baby, what clothes flatter that not-so-flat belly and how to get three kids out the door by 8am while looking like a runway model. But I can’t think of a single one that pointed out that it really and truly doesn’t matter what I look like at all. People aren’t really looking at me.
It’s that bundle of joy they’re preoccupied by. There’s something about babies that’s pure magic. They unbunch bunched shoulders, they get the most sophisticated people to speak baby talk, they turn total strangers into trusting friends, and they make even the most haggard mom beautiful.
So next time you head out with uncombed hair and a baby carrier, hold your head high. When people compliment your baby and ask all kinds of questions, answer with pride. Make no apologies for how messy/tired/distracted/hungry you are. Bask in the moment. Because just like the sleepless nights and spit-up stains, the baby in your arms will disappear into thin air.
So, from now on, on those days I just can’t seem to get it together, I’m going out the door singing one of my favorite childhood songs—with ever-so slightly altered lyrics.
Who cares what they’re wearing from Main Street to Saville Row?
It’s what you wear from hip to hip,
And not from head to toe…that matters.
This post is sponsored by Disney Baby. I’ll be joining the Disney Baby blogging team next month, and look forward to sharing these kinds of stories (projects/ideas/etc) with you over there! Stay tuned for more details!
I can’t think of a cuter accessory than pink! This still works for me even though my boys are 5 and 6 now! They cancel out my bad mom fashion days because they are so crazy that no one even looks at me! 🙂
It’s so true…I guess I was feeling nostalgic since I used this pic of Little.
Who needs Louboutins when you have Pink? She is enough to brighten everyone’s day. AND, congratulations on your move to Disney baby!
Thanks so much! I’m excited about this new opportunity and love that they connected with my approach of finding the magical moments in the chaos.
I figure I’ve only got a year or so left to flaunt my youngest accessory…. he’s a naughty little bugger but still cute enough that people write it off as “adorable” and “personality” … Pretty soon, I’m going to want people to pay more attention to my stained clothes/eye bags and NOT what my wee Seamus is doing…. yowza!
Ha, yeah, some of my older accessories aren’t getting the same kind of attention these days.
Congrats on the Disney gig. Let’s plan a lunch soon 🙂
Thanks so much! I’ll send you a note.
I love this. Just today I went out with my 3 month old. I was unshowered in in slouchy gym capris. I probably look a mess, but wearing an Ergo is like a force-field. Cute baby feet sticking out from underneath. The little hood was up because Emma was nursing while I shopped…but everyone that looked at me (and wasn’t snarling because grocery shopping brings out the nastiness for some reason) smiled. The little old ladies wanted to see the baby but when I told them I was nursing her they just oooohed and awwed about how great that was and how amazing you could do it while walking around these days 🙂 Babies are magic…though now I feel naked when I go out without my kids. Uh oh!
As someone who didn’t make a drop of milk and is totally naive to the wonders of nursing, I’m crazy impressed that you can multitask like that. Rock on in your workout capris!
The moms who always make me take a double what-were-you-thinking take are the ones who show up at drop off dressed to kill, in heels, pristine white outfits, perfectly accessorized and made up. Because, really? Who dresses like that for school drop off? Or to go get ice cream after school?
Nah, the moms still wearing yesterday’s clothes, with tired faces, and breakfast all over their shoulder, those are the ones I smile at and can relate to!
Great point!