This isn't exactly cutting-edge news, but I felt good after I read this article. Has anyone read it? (Saturday's Times mag, page 34 - sorry not to be able to provide a link, not a subscriber to Times Online)It's worth recommending, to all mothers but particularly those who feel their lives spiralling further out of control with each additional child they have :)
Has anyone else read and can laugh along with me? Some classic quotes from the feature:
"It pains me to admit that, somewhere during the past siz years, my appearance has turned from being a point of pride to something of a joke. I am the butterfly who has turned back into a hairy caterpillar. Or at least that is how I feel."
"I remember making a point of having a bikini wax just before the birth of my eldest daughter. A bikini wax? For the birth of a child? What was I on?"
"Recent research has shown that the average woman spends seven hours a week on her appearance. All I can say is that somewhere out there a woman is taking up my quota...."
"Every night, around 6.30pm, I change into my pyjamas. I find they are more comfortable when I climb into bed to read each of my three little girls a bedtime story. Good for the girls, but not so good for the husband. I don't change back, you see. "
It's not all stereotypical quips, the point of the article is that she attempts a makeover - but ends up feeling that she isn't actually interested in being restored to her 'old self' again. I found this resonated. I do sometimes yearn for the days where I shopped regularly, had a great shoe wardrobe, didn't find it an impossible struggle to find 45 mins in the day for exercise. And I do manage clean hair, plucked eyebrows, and a not-scruffy look on the school run. Could do so much better though. Was at least able to laugh at myself after this article. Intend to copy and send to my sister and several close friends....
By the way, this mother didn't think much of the article, which was also part-quoted here on Netmums.