Do Parents have a certain 'look' about them?

[Mumcentreplus]

I have noticed when I tell people or they find out I have children they are quite surprised and often say 'You dont look like you have children'...so do Parents have a certain 'look' about them then????..AIBU to think maybe they do..and if so what is this 'look'

Your sandwiches probably aren't cut into quarters and in a 'Spiderman' lunch box either.

yy at rocking the empty shopping trolley, I have done that several times.

Mums always have wet wipes and tissues in their bags. And boxes of raisins for young children.

I was out on a business lunch with my boss and he told me to "Eat up all my taters" in front of our new clients.

His face was a shade of red I didn't know existed.

First time I went to Tesco with DD I chucked a block of Lurpak at her I was so used to going with a trolley that I forgot the pram wasn't one!

I have wipes everywhere

Oh, reading this, have just realised if someone says I don't look like a mum, I am irrationally pleased (I read it as 'you look young and not exhausted-looking').

However, I do feel slightly bereft if out without children. And feel like saying to everyone I see with children - look, I am not just a normal person, I am a MOTHER, one of YOU.

So mainly all a bit warped .

I think it's probably a compliment. But maybe it's then not a compliment to all the people who do 'look like a parent'.

My friend regretted the day she used the first person to describe what the DD was doing e.g "I am chewing a rusk at the moment".

She was on the phone to a call centre doing something dull with insurance when DD ran in without her nappy on. She told the call centre operative "I have just weeed on the kitchen floor" having watched a spreading puddle around DD's feet.

She finished the rest of her call and I had to tell her that to me, her comment made perfect sense because I witnessed the incident. I am still wondering what the poor cow in the call centre thought when she was informed that her customer was peeing on the kitchen floor as she spoke to her.

lamplighter wins - that's hilarious

Me too Adair!!
Am glad I'm not the only one who is
a nutter slightly insecure in my status!

If DH are out shopping without the DCs (extremely rare) I make a point of looking at children's stuff and proclaiming loudly that perhaps we should buy this for OUR children. Maybe we could get badges made.

lamplighter!

My boss once told us not to have any more biscuits at coffee time as we wouldn't eat our lunch!

When DS1 was about 2, I went back to work. Waiting for a tram on my first morning, I spotted a man walking an enormous husky type dog. "Oooh look at big fluffy doggy" I yelled enthusiastically.... to myself.

I had to travel all the way to work on the same tram as the group of sniggering teens who had been standing behind me at the time.

It took me several weeks after my return from mat leave to stop referring to myself as 'mummy'...as in 'mummy's just going to go to the very important meeting now'. Or, once (very shamingly) 'Mummy go wee-wee now'. Luckily the person I share an office with is also a mummy.

When leaving a room (after a meeting for example or more often the pub!) I am always the one to check nothing's been left behind. (eg dizzy young girl's cardi) I have a reputation for being useful

I once grabbed a (male) colleagues hand when he moved as if to step out into traffic

I just came out of work tonight, and security guard nodded 'Goodnight'...i smiled and replied 'Night night' in a mummy voice...His face was a picture.

I view with suspicion these young mums in top to toe fashion with their gel nails and think they should look more bedragled as I probably did.

I can remember when DD was about 4 I had a boyfriend, DD wasn't with us and we were going out in my car, I stood by the passenger door waiting until he was seated and belted him up.

at some of these!

I also don't think parents have a look, but a definate 'sound'!

I grabbed at my driving instructor last week, squeaking " Look! A fox, it's looking over at us, wow!"
I was meant to be doing a turn in the road at the time. Lucky it wasn't a test eh?!

I've also had people be surprised I'm a mum, or think I'm not old enough etc (I'm 40 FGS!) I think what they mean is I don't seem responsible enough

I also frequently have people say incredulously 'I didn't know you were left handed!' - so I'm supposed to announce that every time I'm introduced to someone??

I also induce shock in people when I tell them I have kids. I am 33 - prime child bearing age - married, and I think I look like a 'mum', yet people are very often surprised that I have children.

When I eat with colleagues at my work restaurant, I find myself clearing their dishes to put away.

Thats what i get blue (I'm 37) I have a sneaky suspicion they think I'm too irresponsible or seem care-free or something...obviously never seen me in mummy mode

When I was a sole care nanny and I spent too much time around toddlers.

The Dad worked from home and he had a business colleague round and he asked where the loo was.

Dad and I both pointed at the appropriate door and shouted "Dah" in a baby voice.

The silence with the client was palable when he went in and came out.

We were potty training you see......and that was were the potty was............

I meant 'where'

When I'm out without my kids (especially during the day) I get this feeling which is a bit exciting and carefree, and I think I"m undercover, and I think nobody knows I'm a mother! They think I'm a normal person. And I get butterflies in my tummy.

that last bit was an exaggeration. I get those the second I say 'seeeee ya!' to the kids.

valium me too!