Keeping up mom's health and morale

[UbiCaritas]

I’ve been there. Big part of why I go for comfort. Nice still looks bad with puke or leaking diaper, so I might as well be comfortable. Besides, work clothes wash better and hold up better to repeated laundering.

Heh. For context…I might be in palazzo pants and an old tee post-puke, but I also made sure to apply some tinted moisturizer before leaving the bathroom so as to look a bit less dead. And I feel a little better because I did, too!

It’s funny how different people can be about this sort of thing.

 

[Allegra]

You guys don’t wear makeup?

The only makeup I own is the lipstick my mother made me buy for my wedding. I hatev wearing makeup. It makes me feel sticky and fake.

 

[pianistclare]

I do wear makeup; My motto is it’s not really nice to frighten the children.

 

[UbiCaritas]

I do wear makeup; My motto is it’s not really nice to frighten the children.

Same here.

Without it, my skin is blotchy and oily, and I look a lot older than I am.

Sad but true story: DH is two years older than I, but looks very young for his age; he’s regularly mistaken for a high-schooler. When I was very pregnant with DD, we had a salesman at the house who made some comment implying that DH was my son. The way that salesman turned green when I said, “Sweetheart, would you mind reviewing this before we sign it?” nearly made up for that gaff. Nearly.

 

[pianistclare]

Same here.

Without it, my skin is blotchy and oily, and I look a lot older than I am.

Sad but true story: DH is two years older than I, but looks very young for his age; he’s regularly mistaken for a high-schooler. When I was very pregnant with DD, we had a salesman at the house who made some comment implying that DH was my son. The way that salesman turned green when I said, “Sweetheart, would you mind reviewing this before we sign it?” nearly made up for that gaff. Nearly.

the same thing happened to me!!! Our parish has everyone do the Gifted in Christ Strength Finders program. Joe’s group had a guy who said to me:
Hey, This guy name Joe ----- is in my Gifted group. Is he your son???
I was pretty glad when the guy moved away. Every time I saw him I thought of it.

 

[Xantippe]

Just to throw something else into the mix, I think there is morale of more than just the mom to consider. I heard it discussed with some lovely women I know that their appearances (over time) impact the morale of their children.

I am not talking about toddlers, but middle-school aged children and young teens. As moms and dads we are the concrete images for what future married life and motherhood encompass. I knew a mom who discovered her boys had a partially negative view of marriage and family life, because that meant your wife never wore makeup anymore and only wore sweatpants and they liked pretty girls!

Oh dear!

 

[Xantippe]

I’ve been there. Big part of why I go for comfort. Nice still looks bad with puke or leaking diaper, so I might as well be comfortable. Besides, work clothes wash better and hold up better to repeated laundering.

Everybody’s scale of “nice” is a little different.

For instance, this morning I went to Mass wearing newish yoga pants, a somewhat fraying hot pink crew neck t-shirt and–the piece de resistance–my new plaid flannel shirt. It’s a combination of a lot of hot pink, some red and some plum purple. This is probably the best I’ve looked going to church this year. It’s also toasty warm and it’s probably the happiest piece of clothing I have ever owned.

landsend.com/products/womens-flannel-shirt/id_274236?sku_0=::QT8

When queried, my husband said that my new flannel shirt looks like a lumberjack’s work clothes. I pointed out to him that lumberjacks don’t normally wear a lot of hot pink.

I also have a hot pink/raspberry corduroy shirt that I’m dying to wear that will probably pass the lumberjack test better with my husband.

(In my defense, I’m from WA and I came of age when Nirvana was a big deal. Also, I bet it was on sale when I got it.)

This is a big step up for me.

 

[bitterhope]

Everybody’s scale of “nice” is a little different.

For instance, this morning I went to Mass wearing newish yoga pants, a somewhat fraying hot pink crew neck t-shirt and–the piece de resistance–my new plaid flannel shirt. It’s a combination of a lot of hot pink, some red and some plum purple. This is probably the best I’ve looked going to church this year. It’s also toasty warm and it’s probably the happiest piece of clothing I have ever owned.

landsend.com/products/womens-flannel-shirt/id_274236?sku_0=::QT8

When queried, my husband said that my new flannel shirt looks like a lumberjack’s work clothes. I pointed out to him that lumberjacks don’t normally wear a lot of hot pink.

I also have a hot pink/raspberry corduroy shirt that I’m dying to wear that will probably pass the lumberjack test better with my husband.

(In my defense, I’m from WA and I came of age when Nirvana was a big deal. Also, I bet it was on sale when I got it.)

This is a big step up for me.

Actually that sounds nice to me too. But I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what yoga pants are. I got married in a red plaid flannel shirt and jeans. Yes, it was a Catholic wedding. It was at a weekday Mass right before my husband went to basic. I don’t like pink of any shade on me. I like it on a lot of other people but not me. I like corduroy a lot too.

 

[alphawoman]

I am boring. I just like walking or getting on my elliptical trainer.

Nah, you’re a minimalist!

If you don’t already have one, I’d recommend buying an elliptical you really like for your home. A used commercial model can be had for $1-2k and will last decades. I use mine first thing in the a.m. (it doubles as my time to say the rosary). One of three scenarios occurs:

• DH and DS sleep
• DH watches DS
• DS joins me with a drink and watches a show or two while I work out

The women I know who have large families and exercise frequently extol the virtue of an early morning workout before the family is awake. My favourite time to work out before DS was late afternoon, but now it’s the time I have available!

 

[Xantippe]

Actually that sounds nice to me too. But I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what yoga pants are. I got married in a red plaid flannel shirt and jeans. Yes, it was a Catholic wedding. It was at a weekday Mass right before my husband went to basic. I don’t like pink of any shade on me. I like it on a lot of other people but not me. I like corduroy a lot too.

Knit pants, basically.

I LOVE fall/winter clothes–corduroy, flannel, cardigans, you name it.

 

[pensmama87]

Nah, you’re a minimalist!

If you don’t already have one, I’d recommend buying an elliptical you really like for your home. A used commercial model can be had for $1-2k and will last decades. I use mine first thing in the a.m. (it doubles as my time to say the rosary). One of three scenarios occurs:

• DH and DS sleep
• DH watches DS
• DS joins me with a drink and watches a show or two while I work out

The women I know who have large families and exercise frequently extol the virtue of an early morning workout before the family is awake. My favourite time to work out before DS was late afternoon, but now it’s the time I have available!

Yep, I’m an early morning runner. I would really like a treadmill because it would be a lot easier to keep up in the winter months, but that’s a couple of years away, even used. Right now, i make do with workout DVDs and then an outdoor run over the weekend. But once the days are long enough out side’s where I want to be!

 

[Xantippe]

Yep, I’m an early morning runner. I would really like a treadmill because it would be a lot easier to keep up in the winter months, but that’s a couple of years away, even used. Right now, i make do with workout DVDs and then an outdoor run over the weekend. But once the days are long enough out side’s where I want to be!

Speaking of treadmills, I have a mistake to share.

Some years ago, I thought it would make sense to buy a manual treadmill because it was so very cheap. Turns out, the thing is like having your own personal gerbil wheel.

Never again.

 

[pensmama87]

Speaking of treadmills, I have a mistake to share.

Some years ago, I thought it would make sense to buy a manual treadmill because it was so very cheap. Turns out, the thing is like having your own personal gerbil wheel.

Never again.

I told my husband once I wished they made wheels like that for children.

We have an indoor trampoline which helps some when it’s cold and you have energetic preschoolers, but man, a hamster wheel would be ah-maze-ing.

 

[Sophie_Lawrence]

Hmm.

Some days are pajama days for me.

Otherwise, I don’t dress up everyday, and my wardrobe is normally not expensive.

BUT, I have gotten pointers from “What not to wear”, for purchasing clothing that is flattering. I also tend to buy clothing in similar color groups, so they can match. Also, good quality classic pieces can last a long time. I have a pencil skirt from Banana Republic, but I’ve been able to use for about 4 years

I also don’t wear makeup everyday, but I can do a pretty good job, well except for that current liquid eyeliner. I used to use L’oreal khol liners from the drugstore.

What I do not normally do is use nail polish. I do like to get a professional manicure/pedicure. Maybe I do that once a year.

When I was single and working, manicure was once a week. Haircut was every other month. My aunt used to call me “Imelda” for my shoe collection.

I also like to buy nice undergarments. That’s something I learned from my mom. When I can, coordinating bra and undies, sometimes with a coordinating cami. Especially when having to dress up, nice undies don’t show through with panty lines.

Finally skin care. Mostly everything I have is from the drugstore. I usually use a facial wash (normally Aveno or Neutrogena) with moisturizer and eyelid moisturizer.

 

[Xantippe]

Hmm.

Some days are pajama days for me.

Otherwise, I don’t dress up everyday, and my wardrobe is normally not expensive.

BUT, I have gotten pointers from “What not to wear”, for purchasing clothing that is flattering. I also tend to buy clothing in similar color groups, so they can match. Also, good quality classic pieces can last a long time. I have a pencil skirt from Banana Republic, but I’ve been able to use for about 4 years

I also don’t wear makeup everyday, but I can do a pretty good job, well except for that current liquid eyeliner. I used to use L’oreal khol liners from the drugstore.

What I do not normally do is use nail polish. I do like to get a professional manicure/pedicure. Maybe I do that once a year.

When I was single and working, manicure was once a week. Haircut was every other month. My aunt used to call me “Imelda” for my shoe collection.

I also like to buy nice undergarments. That’s something I learned from my mom. When I can, coordinating bra and undies, sometimes with a coordinating cami. Especially when having to dress up, nice undies don’t show through with panty lines.

Finally skin care. Mostly everything I have is from the drugstore. I usually use a facial wash (normally Aveno or Neutrogena) with moisturizer and eyelid moisturizer.

I like the color family idea.

It’s also easier to match clothing bought at the same time. Over the years, I’ve had a number of experiences (both with shopping for me and the kids) where I inadvertently bought an orphan item (usually an amazing bargain!) that does not want to play nice with anything else we own. Colored pants can be the worst offender–I think the recent fad for colored jeans is a fashion industry conspiracy to force women to buy a million pairs of pants.

 

[Sophie_Lawrence]

I like the color family idea.

It’s also easier to match clothing bought at the same time. Over the years, I’ve had a number of experiences (both with shopping for me and the kids) where I inadvertently bought an orphan item (usually an amazing bargain!) that does not want to play nice with anything else we own. Colored pants can be the worst offender–I think the recent fad for colored jeans is a fashion industry conspiracy to force women to buy a million pairs of pants.

Pants for me are either black, dark blue, jeans or khaki in warmer months. I found a nice pair of white jeans at the Gap on sale an number of years ago. But it was prior to my last baby, and now they don’t fit nicely anymore.

My daughter is sort of going mini-goth, so her things tend to be dark colors, and NO pink. We just painted her room a blue green and changed her bedding from sweet pink with flowers and dust ruffle to blue/green geometric print. (On sale at Target)

The no pink thing is recent, since about 10. She’s 11 now. But she does have a pair of fuchsia shoes from payless that wore on Easter. The way she grows, next Easter they might be too small.

 

[Xantippe]

Pants for me are either black, dark blue, jeans or khaki in warmer months. I found a nice pair of white jeans at the Gap on sale an number of years ago. But it was prior to my last baby, and now they don’t fit nicely anymore.

My daughter is sort of going mini-goth, so her things tend to be dark colors, and NO pink. We just painted her room a blue green and changed her bedding from sweet pink with flowers and dust ruffle to blue/green geometric print. (On sale at Target)

The no pink thing is recent, since about 10. She’s 11 now. But she does have a pair of fuchsia shoes from payless that wore on Easter. The way she grows, next Easter they might be too small.

I totally agree on neutral pants for the budget shopper.

That’s very funny about your daughter. I also found that my older daughter was totally over pink at that age. And so many parents worry that princess-mania means that their daughters will go to college dressed like the heroine of Legally Blonde…

I rediscovered pinks in my later 30s–they really can be very flattering for the middle-aged lady.

 

[DarkLight]

I was thinking the same thing that’s been said about depression - one of the big pieces of advice given is to get dressed, do you hair, and that sort of thing, even if you aren’t going to be going anywhere that day. There really is a psychological effect to taking care of your appearance, whatever that means for a specific person.

 

[Xantippe]

I was thinking the same thing that’s been said about depression - one of the big pieces of advice given is to get dressed, do you hair, and that sort of thing, even if you aren’t going to be going anywhere that day. There really is a psychological effect to taking care of your appearance, whatever that means for a specific person.

Yeah–wear your NICE pajama pants.

 

[Allegra]

Yeah–wear your NICE pajama pants.

Or at least clean ones.