To think children steal your pretty ?

[CopperPot]

Just that, really!

I used to do my hair and make up and feel pretty good about how I looked. Now, after two children and no sleep for 3 years I look shit whatever I do

Will it ever come back?

Just I stick my 9 month old in the jumperoo with some nursery rhymes on and get ready behind him, it's easy!

I never had a jumper roo. it was the cot in my room and they both threw everything out of it and then screamed at me to be let out!

Yeah plus you have to give them food

Childcare is a must. A must I don't have. When I got my hair done last week, my dad drove 60 miles to get to mine to watch dc for me which I felt so guilty about the whole time.

Copper go onto S+B , you'll get good advice on skincare, I'm a skincare/ makeup lover and you'll find plenty there.

I've had three ds's, all grown up now, they and lack of sleep didn't kill my looks but the menopause middle age is trying but I'll fight it like a demon.

NannyOgg

My children stole a fair few of my abstract nouns (sleep, selfishness, relaxation).

Ah don't worry. Sounds like you are still in the tough zone. You do get out of it! I had 2, 21m apart, and definitely looked like shit for the next 2-3y minimum! But, things got better and I eventually found the energy to sort myself out. They are 5 and 6 now and I feel like life has really come together PLUS I look good

When I had my daughter I stopped getting asked for id for buying alcohol....I was 22 when I had my daughter!

I always had time to shower everyday, just weight took couple years come off!

I've always looked a bit rubbish, but I definitely look older now (people used to think I was about 5 years younger than I was, now they guess my age correctly).

Also, for me the first 6 months were horrific, non sleeping, refluxy, terrible latcher, feeding every two hours for at least 30 minutes including the night. Now he's 14 months crawling everywhere, flinging food up the walls and generally trying to injure himself every 5 minutes but it's still a doddle compared to the first 6 months (maybe that's because he sleeps through most nights now)

Bastards There is nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance.

Lost jumperoos are excellent! DS loves his!

No it isn't. She isn't saying her only value is her looks. She is saying she enjoys looking nice and feels since having kids she is sleep deprived and doesn't have time to spend on it, and is upset about it.

I would like to take pride in my appearance. I dont think my DC stole my pretty because I never had it in th first place, but general grooming was not something that was taught to me such as washing face, teeth, getting clothes that fit etc.

Im going to look for a mobile beautician!

I'm child free but never had 'pretty' to begin with

(Will I get kicked off mumsnet since I'm not a Mum?!)

Meanwhile my two sisters with kids look better than ever... I tell myself they got the better genes (which they did) but somehow they have a clue and I look like my mother...

How is that saying she only values looks?

And pretty means attractive.

It's money, time and energy they steal = loss of pretty

My youngest is 5 and I'm just about getting some of it back. But I will forever mourn my pre DC2 stomach. Who was is that said old lady's crumpled front bum?

Going back to work helps get you out of the "mum zone".

I work and I like to look good for work, so I get my hair done, I wear make up, buy nice clothes, I also go running to maintain my weight.

DD is 3.

During the baby phase it's all too miserable to be bothered spending energy on yourself (I found), but after a year or two it comes back....

Who says it's about what others think? Perhaps she wants to look good for herself?

You're taking what she said too literally.

Jesus. Maybe I should've put lighthearted in the title.

Thanks Gadgets that's spot on. I don't measure myself by how I look. I've just noticed even when I've had my hair and make up done I still look shite! That's an upsetting thing!

I can't speak for the OP but for me its not necessarily about being attractive to others, more not looking/feeling like the same person pre DC. With me it's down to how I choose to use my time, I'm a single parent so no help at all at home, so once DS is in bed I clean/tidy/cook my dinner. I could use this time to groom myself, but it's not a priority right now.

The "stole" aspect I took to be lighthearted.

I honestly don't care how others see me in an aesthetics way. It's for me I like to look nice as it makes me feel confident, which in turn helps my already introverted personality when I'm with others.
If I feel shit, I just want to stay in.

Believe me, I've gone out very unkempt due to no sleep loads, but now I'm past the newborn stage in ready to get out there and want to look good when I do! But nnow I've realised that's not possible cos they STOLE MY PRETTY the bastards

Copper it does get better. I found 4-7 months the hardest, I felt miserable. After 7 months it is easier. I look almost the same now.

its not necessarily about being attractive to others, more not looking/feeling like the same person pre DC

Bang on.