Although I’ve known Francesca for a relatively brief time, I feel like I’ve known her for years. Shes the rare woman who rivals my enthusiasm and intensity and I love it! Francesca blogs at Three Bay B Chicks along with her life-long friends Thuy and Kacey. Their site is terrific and they’ll be the ones who finally get me out into the vloggng world. I won’t be happy about it, but I’d do pretty much anything they ask me to…
There are many different types of moments that we experience as mothers; seconds of pure joy, sadness, excitement…and even panic. The tagline of Jill’s blog, “the good, the bad, and the scary,” immediately caught my attention when I first clicked on her site. I had never really thought of motherhood in these terms, but Jill, in all of her infinite wisdom, is right. There are scary moments; times when you look around and say, what the hell? How did I get myself into this?
That was certainly the case as I sat in a “meet and greet” session for my son’s pre-school class last week. I arrived at the meeting in full glory: late, desperate to get my two toddler children to walk beside me, my daughter’s breakfast wiped on my pant leg, and without the forms that I was supposed to read and sign. I tried to sneak quietly to the back of the room and crouch down into a chair meant for someone about an 1/8 of my size. My hope to go unnoticed was shattered when my son yelled out, “Mama, I made pee-pees. Change my diaper nooooowwwwww!” We were not off to a good start.
Thankfully, the formal introductions soon ended and the kids were ushered outside to play. The head teacher instructed the remaining group of moms to gather our chairs in a circle so that we could “get to know one another better.”
What? My stomach began to drop. Forced social interaction?! As I looked around the room, I was petrified. What was I going to say when asked to describe myself and what I do for a living? I was pretty sure that launching into a detailed talk about our blog and my determination not to be buried alive by the pile of laundry in my house were not good choices for “openers,” especially with these ladies…
The woman who most caught my eye was the Perfect Mom. She was beautiful and flawlessly made up by 9:00 am. How did she possibly accomplish such a miracle? Honestly, I have a hard time remembering the last time I shaved. Perfect Mom even had the painted finger and toe nails that coordinated with her outfit. Looking at her was like staring into the sun.
The Me-Me-Me Mom was easily identified. Once she was given the opportunity to talk, I was amazed at how she only seemed to breathe every ten minutes. Eventually the instructor cut her off. The group could not take much more of her diatribe regarding how brilliant her children are, how loving her husband is, and just how thrilled she is to be a part of the group.
Hippy-Dippy Mom came next. Here in the land of Berkeley, California, these women are not hard to spot. Their hippy chic style and infinite number of gold bangles make them stand out in any crowd. This woman seemed nice enough, until her boy, who had long hair and was wearing a skirt, made me stop and stare. During her introduction, H-D Mom explained the importance of letting her children chose their own sexual identity. Good times, good time!
Finally, we came to what I like to call the CSI-Mom. She somehow managed to turn her introduction into a shake-down of the head teacher. She rattled off questions non-stop to the poor woman: What were her qualifications? Where did she go to school? How would she ensure that the kids in the class achieved academic excellence in the fall?
I knew that my turn would be next. I had to laugh as I thought about how I would describe myself. I am the Scatterbrained Mom; the woman who lost a bit of her brain when she started having kids. I’m late to everything, my house is a disaster, and I usually look more than just a little disheveled.
My world can be a scary, scary place. Is yours? Tell me, what kind of mom are you?
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I guess I’m right there with you in the Scatterbrained category; always a little late, hair always blowsy, kids always looking their least presentable if there happen to be Perfect Mommies about. It’s funny; I thought I’d get over all of that with time, but my little one is 10 and the Perfects still look askance at his stained, torn trousers and my gut still clenches when they do.
Sally´s last blog ..ORBC Finish!
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Yeah, I’m right there with you in Scatterbrained land. I have never been Perfect Mommy, but people often do comment that I am very calm for the number of kids I have.
I love your comment about forced social interaction….didn’t we have a conversation about that same thing recently?
Lolli´s last blog ..Give Me Your Best Shot, America
Twitter: 1momof5
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I wouldn’t even know how to categorize myself! I’m just doing my best to muddle though each day and keep them happy & healthy. lol! Love your descriptions of the other moms, though.
MG @ MommyGeekology.com´s last blog ..Girl Talk Thursday – p0rn and marraige
Twitter: mommygeekology
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Just thinking about what I might say or do makes me want to laugh out loud. I would have probably introduced myself as, “Hi my name is Jennifer. I’m normal.”
LOLOLOLOLOL
Jennifer´s last blog ..Thousand Word Thursday: Read Carefully
Twitter: jwilliams057
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The moms that always scare me the most are the Perfect Body Moms, who apparently have time to keep their various body parts in perfect, fresh and firm condition. I live in an area where there is a high concentration of “sports enthusiasts” so I am guaranteed to run into one of these scary moms. As I wait my turn for forced interaction, I just cannot help ogling their perfect parts and wonder what the hell they do (and don’t do) to have the time to work out, ski and windsurf all day…whatever they do to maintain. When my turn comes around I usually say as precisely as possible what I need to say and then bolt as soon as I can. I have found engaging Perfect Body Mom in conversation is pretty useless. Their interest in me is minimal. I do wonder, however, what Perfect Body Mom’s kids are like to be around…but that is for my daughter to sort out. Hopefully I am teaching her good evasive techniques.
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Hmmmm. I think I’m the fun-but-slightly-disorganized mom. I try, I really do. But then I notice that my kids’ fingernails and really long and dirty and they aren’t wearing any underwear. I vow to do better.
Nan´s last blog ..But First, The Highlights…..
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I’m the one with a stained shirt (trying to cover it up with my purse) and suddenly wondering if I forgot to put on makeup in the car on the way there. My youngest has unbrushed hair and probably teeth (she lies to me on occasion) and of course dressed herself that morning so nothing matches and she looks like a refugee. But she’s 9 years old by golly and I can’t tell her what to wear!
I’m hoping for a gift of a pedicure/manicure for my birthday – then I’ll be in the running for the slightly less sloppy mom role…
Val´s last blog ..na na Na Na NA Na Na na!
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Thank you, my friend, for that lovely introduction and for allowing me to post on your blog today. Collaborating with you has been my absolute pleasure.
Now, for Pete’s sake, please come home and become one with your iPhone again.
HA!
-Francesca
Three Bay B Chicks´s last blog ..So Many Choices
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Oh, wow, something else to look forward to when my son starts kindergarten next year! I am not sure what catagory I’d fall in… I just don’t know… but I’m the mom who is always anxious and worried, and yes, my house is a mess at all times!
Loukia´s last blog ..Survivor
Twitter: MrsLoulou
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This was a great post – I love the different categories.
I think I fluctuate between groups. I can be the “totally put together mom” at times and then at other times I become “disheveled and disorganized mom”. I can honestly say I’m not the hippy style and don’t think kids are ready to start identifying their sexuality at pre-school age. And I haven’t painted my nails in years – the paint always comes off in the dish water!
Thanks for sharing and for the laughs.
T Rex Mom´s last blog ..Play Date This Week…
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I’m the mum with good intentions (helping out at school) but sometimes too absentminded (forgetting swimming gear, being late).
Must do better for primary school next year.
Mwa´s last blog ..One day at a time
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first I love the 3 bay B chicks!
second, I hate forced socail interaction!
lastly, I am the scatterbrained mom, totally. I have no choice. there are just too many kids in my care. ;)
Twitter: buriedwithkids
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I’m also the Scatterbrained Mom. And I always seem to look frazzled.
Amber´s last blog ..The Thing about Panties
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Add another Scatterbrain to the roll call. I always look like a crazy person when I go out in public with my messy hair and baby spit up on my shirt.
Angela´s last blog ..Little Cows
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I am SO the scatterbrained mom. I just feel foggy ALL THE TIME! Tired, busy, distractable, etc! Oh, and my kids are the ones talking and running when all the other kids are sitting quietly. AS ‘PERFECT MOM’ WATCHES AND THINKS “CONTROL YOUR KIDS, LADY!” Ugh! But I’m a loving mom and my kids will be down to earth and HAPPY. I guess that’s what counts!!!
Gabrielle Valentine´s last blog ..So…What’s This Blog About, Anyway?
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I am the well-meaning, totally oblivious and scatterbrained mom. I love the you assess the room like that– I totally do the same thing. :)
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Oh, I just adore Francesca too. She seems like such a cool Mommy! I can always tell whenever I pop over to her site. I love cool Mommy’s. And what kind of Mom am I? Well, one that makes millions and millions of mistakes and just prays for the best each night! Prays and hopes all of the mistakes won’t ruin the kid for life. But who knows : )
Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..How we roll: CeLeBrAtInG Half Birthdays
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I think, really, I’m sort of a slacker mom, with a hint of scatterbrained and a dash of me-me-me. Mostly I just think my kids will turn out how they will turn out, as long as I keep them more or less safe and fed and in one piece my work is done.
Amber´s last blog ..Making my Peace
Twitter: AmberStrocel
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I loved reading this! I think that I would have called myself “harried and disheveled Mom” during this portion of motherhood. Often, my hair was wet and tied back with a bun when I did the drop-off. It wasn’t unusual to see me in grungy sweats and unmatching socks.
I remember the preschool days and being a bit scared (no pun intended) by some of the Moms that I would encounter. Luckily, I was not alone. Eventually, a group of us found each other (at last!) and all is well.
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Scatterbrained, but also calm, a leader (the one who might end up doing all the work if I don’t get help.) Room Mother, I guess. I loved this post-you nailed them; I know these moms. The Hippy Mom, though (since I live in Wisconsin) especially cracked me up. Nicely done.
Mrs4444´s last blog ..Two Truths and a Lie
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i’m the mum of 4 girls and i’ve been a parent for 20 years, so i’ve seen ALL THE mums. what type of mum am i? i’m the mum of 4 that used to be quite anal and ocd, but with 20 years of parenting in my back pocket and all the experience that comes with that – i’m a mum of 4. PERIOD. (of full-stop as we like to say in new zealand). less anal, less OCD. i’ve learnt so much from my girls, and i have waaaaaaaaaaaay less time for all the mums who are trying too hard, BUT at the same time – i fully acknowledge that THAT’S just where they are.
scrappysue´s last blog ..photostory friday: ch-ch-ch-ch changes
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i’m also the mum of 4 that writes ‘OR’ instead of ‘of’ because after one home-made cosmo, that’s the way we roll around here…
scrappysue´s last blog ..photostory friday: ch-ch-ch-ch changes
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Oh, man. What kind of Mom am I? I’m the Young Mom. Continuously stereotyped as such, and I guess I’ve come to accept it? I’m fairly laid back and relaxed, incorporating things other moms do that work for me, tossing the stuff that doesn’t. Pretty hippie but not… extremely so? Man… this is a tough question, haha!!
LinLori´s last blog ..Where is our moment?
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Ha! I don’t think I fit nicely into either of those categories but can be quite scatter-brained depending on how are morning went! Nice guest post:)
Casey´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday-Fireworks
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I feel like the discombobulated mom-that’s my new favourite word, I try to use it every day and with my life its easy, I always feel discombobulated! People tell me I always seem so calm, so maybe I should have gone into acting instead of staying home and having babies, because I certainly don’t always feel calm!!! I’m the mom with the gaggle of kids around my legs, and stickers stuck on my shirt, on my breasts, walking through the grocery store, completely oblivious.
Kelly Smith´s last blog ..Corn Flake cookies
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I’m the scatterbrained, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, but still gets a crap load of stuff done and has a clean house cuz I’m ridiculously type-A kinda mom :)
And I wanna be Francesca when I grow up!
KathyB!´s last blog ..Mother Nature can bite me
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That is so funny! I am the old mom! Oldest mommy in the class, and the sweat wearing tee shirt sporting no make up hair in a pony tail always freaking tired mom. In fact, my daughter’s friend commented to her mother when her mother did not want to walk them in one day because she was still in PJ’s, ” Deenah’s mom goes in all the time in her pajamas!”
Lee´s last blog ..The Misadventures of Fee and Scary
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Francesca, scatterbrained? I have a hard time believing that. I wish I could have been at that meet and greet. It does sound like fun times. I’m the go-with-the-flow mom, and it should be noted that I don’t take preschool seriously. At all. I think preschool is a time to play and learn to love school NOT a time for didactic instruction.
Twitter: 7clowncircus
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One of the reasons I don’t have children is because all my mommy friends have relayed horror stories about the scatterbrained deal. I’m already scatterbrained, I can’t handle further impairment. Seriously. I’d show up at meet-and-greet having forgotten the children.
That line about looking at me-mommy is like staring into the sun is effin’ brilliant! Bravo, Francesca!
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