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?

I'm ready*

Plus don't get me started on other regions of my body

Copper my boobs have been utterly destroyed and I have stretch marks all over even though I gained just over a stone in pregnancy. WHY

Even on my legs which didn't change size!!!

Copperpot I completely understand. I have had four children in as many years and my appearance has gone massively downhill. Even when I make a huge effort I still look a shadow of my former self.

I can't believe the hard time you are getting here...it is obvious you were being lighthearted but pointing out something quite true in a way.

I have 5 teenagers and an 11 year old they don't steal my time to look after myself they use my money so I have none left for me, luckily I'm a beauty therapist and use to do modelling(about 1million years ago when I was a size 10) so I can do my make up, nails etc but haven't been to a hairdressers for 5 years and my clothes are eBay or Supermarkets.xx

I remember reading a lovely article about mothers who avoiding being in pictures with their children because they thought they looked shit.
It said how children don't care what you look like, you're their mum and are beautiful however rough you look. I always take pics together now.

I have stretch marks on my bum WHY ?!

Well duh...of course pretty is not something people steal. It's a turn of phrase for gods sake. Stop nitpicking. Lighthearted!

OP I know what you mean. DS is 4, DD 6 months and I look haggard at times. I feel better with some nice clothes and make up but it doesn't always detract from that exhausted aged look (I'm 34!).

I was just starting to get back to feeling like myself when I got pregnant with DD so I hope in a couple of year the haggard look will lift and I'll feel better!

PS I love my
Children too.

I found the most difficult years to be 1 to 4... They are mobile and must be watched constantly. I found it hard to take care of certain intimate grooming needs with two pairs of toddler eyes riveted on me. I did not start back with regular manicures until after the nappy stage as all that frequent hand washing just seem to melt away nail varnish.

A
Good bra is everything. Love Bravissimo for my 32G boobs.

Have just started healthy eating to try and lose weight too. Hoping to go from a 14 back to a 10-12.

And I always always feel I look better after getting my eyebrows threaded weirdly. A good Brow shape really does change your face.

I felt like that for years op, it's only now that all of mine are at school/able to get their own cereal/get dressed etc that I feel much better.

In fact I probably feel better now than ever, I do have lines round my eyes, stretch marks etc but I do feel I have 'grown into myself' if that makes sense and am much more comfortable in my own skin than I was, even before I had them all, but certainly miles better than when they were little. Hang on in there!

Lost jumperoos are excellent! DS loves his!

Do they make them big enough for 10 year olds?

if you're that bothered about being thought attractive by others that you have to post on here, and if you think your children "stole" that attractiveness then that's terribly shallow and really a rather odd attitude to have towards your children and I think it rather sad

Guess whose kids stole their sense of humour.........

Not sure "stealing" is the right word. You decided to have children (I hope) and you probably knew that pregancy takes a toll on the body, as does sleep deprivation.

Children may take away the pretty, but it is for anyone to decide whether having children is worth that. (Children also take away your money. That comedy show I regularly watch showed that you could buy two Ferraris for the money a child costs you ...)

If it is a comfort, I am 30 too, and have wrinkles, even though I don't have children. The natural ageing process also plays a role ...

*I think "steal your pretty" is quite poetic - I can imagine hearing it in a country & western song.&

I agree. I like the phrase too and shall use it henceforth.

3 under 2 and I look like fucking stig of the dump most days. Hoping joggy bottoms, porridge stained top and dishevelled hair is bang on right?

Yeah. I'm sure you're a veritable hoot.

No one has to be pretty.

Some people want to be pretty.

Oh FGS! Why do people have to be such arses. Its perfectly clear OP was having a little lighthearted moan about the impact children have had on her personal grooming.

I swear i think HQ need to make a "change background to green" for lighthearted posts option.

My pretty is being kept under lock and key. No fecker is getting near it.

Bastards

Good for you. I enjoy being pretty.

I'm sorry you've lost someone but that doesn't give you the right to shit all over everyone else and be the mummy martyr about this.

You're not a better mum than I am because I wear lipstick.