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'

valium, I love your post

Oh dear, I scrap and stack plates at restaurants as well.

I think most parents do have a 'look'. I certainly wasn't stained and haggard with my hair constantly scragged up in a ponytail before DS was born. In fact to look at me now you'd never know that I used to be quite 'groomed'.

Erm so in my 40's I have a youthfull (certainly not wrinkled or fat) look about me.

So just how I looked just before I was pregnant.

OK, so my only difference is that I looked like a monster when I told the youths hanging about my street to piss off just now as they were too noisy and ds couldn't sleep. The monster look worked as it's lovel and quiet now.

But if I say that I have child people's jaws uusually drop to floor.

What do parents look like exactly?

My straight-talking non-mum friend was despairing about her looks the other day, and spontaneously described herself as looking so bad she 'looked like a Mum'... as two of us there were Mums we kind of thought she'd dig herself out of this hole, however instead she went on to detail what she meant (unironed and illfitting clothes -with the odd stain-, carrying some extra weight, hair that was styled in approx 15 secs, ditto make-up application, overdue plucking of eyebrows and shaving of legs etc....

I was gutted! but by my personal appearance at the time couldn't offer any evidence to the contrary...

I do tend to tell children and young people to 'be careful'...''slow down'..'enjoy life and being care-free'..like an ole fogey

I think tone of voice comes into it a bit too doesn't it.

I was always the mumsy one out of my friends. Despite coming into work still half pissed some mornings, i would at least have my hangover recovery kit, always have painkillers/spare clothes/tissues etc in my car.

I once said "ah" (you know that really sharp sound that you make in warning to kid's?) to a lady who stepped over the yellow line on a train platform as the train was approaching.

While I was on maternity leave I popped into the office with baby to catch up with my manager, I was waiting for him in the office cafe when I woman walked up and asked to see the baby. She cooed at him "have you come in to see your mummy?" I realised she thought I was his nanny! It upset me a bit, not sure why. Often people ask me if the kids are mine, harumph!

a woman cripes

I don't think I have any "look" that would give it away. However my habit of saying "well done" when an adult ties their shoes or uses a serviette to wipe their own face reveals my secret life of servitude.

BTW I never ironed my clothes anyway. Who the hell does that?

I do occasionally say 'beep beep' to wide berthed stationery adults.

Stationary of course.

Love this thread. When I first met one of my mates I was stunned when I found out she was a mum of two. She came across as sort of sunny and care free but I found out later she was on anti-depressants and really anxious so appearances can be most deceiving. She is kind of trendy but in a jeans and trainers kind of way - not glamorous.

Yes people know I am a parent - mostly because I shout train, digger, lorry etc whenever one goes by even if DS isn't with me!

Oh my goodness McSteamy I do that! Hadn't even thought until now how wierd that is!!!

Oooooo look! BIG digger, ooooo

Ahem. I, today called my team manager a "silly la la". And my office nickname is "mum" as I can always be relied upon for a tissue, wet wipes and a small healthy snack

I rootled around in my handbag for paracetamol for a colleague the other day and promptly handed him some bepanthan and a sachet of calpol....

DP has just told me that I quite often ask him if he needs a wee when we're leaving somewhere. He's 39.

McSteamer, I can correct people now. I say, that is not a tractor, it's a loader. I know because my 4 year old corrected me.

He he my sil is constantly amazed by the contents of my 'mum handbag'

Love this thread!

The "look" at a baby group I go to is generally splattered with different colours of baby food (mostly orange as that's what baby food seems to do to your clothes), and we all agree that stains magically appear once you have left the house!

People have said this to me in the past. I think it's because i look very young for my age and i'm really slim.

I had to laugh one morning though when a colleague pointed out that i had something on my top. When i looked it was toothpaste. My little boy had given me a hug and must have still had toothpaste round his mouth. Bless!

I wouldn't worry about what anybody thinks about the way you look. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters.

Slightly dishevelled and a bit forgetful.

You can spot the parents of newborns as they're the ones rocking rhythmically back & forth at all times, even when they're not holding the baby.

I think I come over as being a mum because I too stop colleagues from being run over in their lunch hours by grabbing them.