Or lack of it......
If you were totally, completely honest with yourself I think most of us Mums would admit to their standards of dress sense sliding somewhat once children arrived on the scene. A combination of the shock of the time that one small baby could take up, your change in shape and diminishing funds all contributed to the demise of the image of the yummy mummy you may have set out to be. I am speaking from experience here, having had three gorgeous children who over the years drained me of time, energy and money, but filled our house with laughter, love and priceless memories.
I have always loved clothes and fashion and like any self respecting woman enjoy a good old shop. My first baby however took such joy in throwing up over everything in sight, it seemed pretty pointless to wear anything remotely 'nice' until he came through this stage. I was also waiting for the baby weight to miraclously fall off me. I was still waiting 6 months later. Who knew that the weight doesn't come off with the baby?! It is true when they say that with your first pregnancy you can't wait to wear maternity clothes, with your second pregnancy you are in your maternity clothes by month three, and by your third pregnancy your maternity clothes are your normal clothes! This was one of the hardest things for me, adjusting to wearing clothes in a size and shape I'd never seen before.....long after giving birth.
And time - what happens to the time? How can small people take up so much time? The never ending rounds of feeding, toileting, clearing up, cleaning, feeding ( did I say that?) . Grounghog day doesn't cover it! How excited were you when you got your first child free hour to pop into town or just to do nothing!?
For those of you still in this stage - I salute you ! Hang in there. Keep going . It gets, not easier, but different. The challenges change and you get to sleep, to go to the toilet on your own and to feel human again.
My children are all now at school. My eldest has just started secondary school. Where did that time go? He has stopped throwing up on me, but seems to be losing his ability to use anything other than the floor to store things on. Over the last few years I have been able to rediscover my own idea of 'style', without compromising on time, money or energy needed for my family. After I had my third child , who is now 5, I made an effort to get to a size I was happy with and could embrace. For me it is not about being a size 8, but about being healthy and happy with the size you are and finding clothes that suit you. I am less concerned now about what others think and more interested in what works for me, what I love and what I am comfortable in. I dress for me, in what I enjoy.
As you emerge from the fog that having young children can so often create , enjoy rediscovering time for yourself. Experiment with your style a bit. Find out what suits you. Put yourself first on occasion. Start up a new hobby or relearn an old one. Create a few moments of time just for yourself. Your kids and family will be better for it.
