I am not the only man who has noticed that when women become Moms many (if not all) stop taking care of themselves. I know to some extent this is just a Mom thing us Dads will never understand, but I still have some thoughts on the subject.
Take care of yourself. All my advice in this post can be summed up in those four words. This sounds selfish on the surface and while it is, it’s for your own good and for the good of those around you. Moms if you aren’t making sure your own basic needs are being met, then who is?
Let’s start with clothing. While there are plenty of days I struggle to dress myself, I have always has a knack for woman’s fashion. (OK, let’s get all the laughter and metro sexual jokes out of the way right now). Let’s be honest moms, you’ve had kids and most of the clothes you used to catch our eye when we were all in our twenties now have two problems. 1. They are out of fashion and 2. they probably don’t fit so well anymore.
Back to the basics. We are grown ups now and it’s time we learned how to dress like them (at least sometimes). I travel a great deal and that has taught me the importance of basics. This post is for the Mom’s so I’ll save comments about Men’s basics for another time. Let’s start with – do you own a black silk blouse? No? OK, let’s get started then.
Jeans. I’m not talking Mommy jeans here ladies. I’m talking a fashionable pair of jeans that fit your body with all it’s post-pregnancy beauty and shape change. A comfortable pair of flats or low heeled shoes you can wear when on the go all day. Two pairs of heels (red and black) are essential basics you can change into at night. Add to that the black silk blouse I mentioned earlier and a red blazer to put over it. You are ready to go for a night on the town. We aren’t talking a fortune here, just a few key pieces you can wear anytime anywhere to feel fashionable and good about yourself.
The Spa. Just do it. Stop worrying about the money or how to work it into the schedule and just do it. Either that or fill the tub with bubble bath once a week and lock the bathroom door for an hour. Moms deserve this. Sure we will draw that bubble bath for you on Mother’s day and your birthday, but the rest of the year take the initiative and lock that hour a week into the schedule come hell or high water.
Girl Time. I’m not talking about that play date where you chat with the other Moms while trying to keep track of playing cherubs. I’m talking a lunch or dinner date with the girls with no kids in tow. We men are great listeners (I just lied) but every now and then you need the sympathetic and empathetic ear of a sister-in-arms. Just try not to turn it into a man bashing session (trust me I’ve overheard enough girls get-togethers to know).
Have Fun. I could go on and on with advice (all of it worth what you are paying for it) but the key is enjoy the moment. Before you know it you will still be Moms but the kids will be gone or almost gone.
I admire, respect and honor all of you Moms today – thanks for doing what you do. It’s the most difficult, fun job in the world.