The Uniform Of The Stay-At-Home Mom

Not what a stay-at-home mom wears...unless she's insane!

Please note that although I was compensated for this post and that writing on this subject was suggested, all opinions are my own. 

There's a parade at our town pool every day.  In sharp contrast to most of the people there, mothers and grandparents who are not working and who are dressed in swim wear and coverups, at 5 in the afternoon in comes a sharp line of adults wearing the uniforms of the 9 to 5 world. These tired-looking working parents arrive at the pool to pick up their little YMCA campers who are spending their Summer swimming and playing games.  The mostly upper-management women clip-clop around in high heels and try to remain cool, despite the oppression of panty hose, in skirts.  They wear make-up and sport the latest hair styles. The men are clad in Wall Street Wear: well-tailored suits in shades of gray and blue. A few have taken off their ties and opened their shirts. All of them look happy to be out of the office and I'll bet many wish to be in swim wear, frolicking in the pool with their little ones. But this “parade of office wear” started me thinking about the “uniform” of the stay-at-home moms I know.

We are concerned, nay, CONSUMED by the desire for comfort. We've got enough to think about, namely kids, without fussing with clothes that are uncomfortable or staying current

Neon peach blossom sports bra - with the holding power of a crane

with the latest fashion. Our clothes must allow for movement as we keep up with Roadrunner-like toddlers and preschoolers who think they're indestructible. For that reason, we gravitate toward workout apparel and yoga clothes like those sold by Sweaty Betty (great name, huh?). You've gotta love this stuff! It's durable, has plenty of support for wiggling, jiggling, gravity-laden body parts. It looks sleek and is comfortable. Sports bras hold EVERYTHING in place without killing shoulders or making you feel like a boa constrictor is squeezing your chest. And yoga pants are snuggly enough so that when our kid takes a nap (if they EVER will), we can curl up for one, too. Workout clothes are nice enough that you're not embarrassed to answer the door when the

Calypso yoga pants - snugly

UPS guy comes and when I wear them, I can delude myself into thinking that I might actually someday want to work out (NOT!).

Right now, I am perfectly content, okay, grateful, for my summer uniform of capri pants and t-shirts when I'm not at the pool. But I am also aware that in my future are heels, skirts, and tailored suits as I get back into the working world. When my little one is older and I finally enter a new phase of parenthood to once again, join the 9 to 5ers, my uniform will change. Maybe I should be paying closer attention to the parade before me. It's only a matter of time before I rejoin their ranks.

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Thank you for reading!  

The Red Hoodie

As kids get older, they're supposed to give up special objects they're attached to, right? Maybe. I know plenty of adults who had significant objects they're used to and would miss if the objects were gone. Note that I am NOT talking about technology which contains important information we cannot live without. But every time I lose a pair of earrings or leave a pair of flip flops behind on vacation, I'm a little sad. So I guess I should not be surprised by the red sweatshirt.

Every year for the last few, my teenager has become one with a hoodie. It doesn't matter if he's picked it out or it was given to him. He wears one zip-up sweatshirt...in all types of weather...no matter what. Here's the current model:

Note that he's wearing it at the pool... on a 105 degree day... in the sun. He wore it, and only it, over a shirt when the weather was 10 below zero. He wore it earlier today while he was jogging in 100 degrees. He wears it in the rain, sleet, and snow.

Junior does not let me wash the hoodie. It has crumbs from a thousand protein bars in its pockets. It has stains from burritos and pizza. It smells putrid, like something the EPA fines municipalities for. My husband and I joke that it probably contains bacteria like listeria and e-coli. Interestingly enough, my son takes pride in how absolutely disgusting his hoodie is.

I do, of course, wash it. When he's sleeping, the only time he takes it off, I secretively bring it down to the washing machine. The article gets washed alone, because the water it gets submerged in turns gray. It gets put in the dryer, sans dryer sheets which might make it smell nice, and then placed back in a heap by the front door for Junior to don in the morning.

My son will wear the hoodie until, like the Incredible Hulk, he's bursting out of it. Then, he'll either ask for or get a replacement from a friend or Nana.

It comforts me to know he's attached to something so inane. Someday, when he's a bit more grown, he'll bring home a girl and she'll either demand that he get rid of it or he'll ditch it for her. Until then, the repulsive hoodie is a reminder that he's still my little boy and, like his former favorite stuffed wolf, he needs an object of comfort. 

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Celebrating The Sandals Of Summer

Please note:  Although I was compensated for writing this post, all opinions expressed are my own.  Meet me on the street during the Summer and I WILL be wearing sandals.

It may be silly, but one of the things I love the most about the Summer is the fact that you can wear sandals virtually every day! I ditch shoes the first warm day at the end of Spring and don't put them on again until I'm sure my toes are going to freeze (can you say Toesicle?). Shoes are confining, hot, and take too long to put on, plus you have to wear socks. I HATE socks which mean washing and matching them. Ugh! I slip on sandals and, like a pig in mud, am one happy Mom!

Women's sandals seem to morph every season into one specialty or another, but basically, there are five types of sandals:

1. Gladiator – Defined by rows of horizontal straps, these sandals may sport a heel or not. They're striking and call attention to themselves, which is great for taking attention off a less-than-fit body.
   
   
2. Espadrilles – Traditionally flat, espadrilles are defined by a sole made of jute or rope. They're beautiful with a skirt.
   
   
3. Heels – These can be strappy heels or wedges. I haven't worn any kind of heels since my teenager was born and I'm pretty sure I'd get vertigo if I even attempted them.
   
   
4. Flats – Beading and jewels can transform a dull, flat sandal into something dazzling.
   
   
5. Ankles – These feature a wide ankle strap and open toe. Some have a shaft around the ankle, like a short boot. Again, for me, they're not worth the extra effort to put on.
   
   

I crave shoes I can slip in and out of without a thought. I have a hard enough time remembering which kid is where without thinking about my footwear. I also need sandals to be comfortable, since I'm never quite sure what the day holds in terms of walking. I've tried cheap ones and find that more expensive brands, like the kind found on www.reef.com, are well worth the money because they last longer and provide more support. Another bonus is that the companies that sell better-made sandals tend to stick behind their products more than, discount stores. Here's a tip: sandals that match your skin color tend to make your legs look longer, so most of my sandals are light brown to match my mildly-tanned skin.

Recently, I ordered a pair of Reef's thong flip flops (see photograph above). They have padded leather and provide arch and heel support. That support is essential for me because if I'm on my feet for most of the day, they ache and at my age, I don't need any more aches and pains! The rubber outsole of the Reef Tahoe means I don't slip on the wet patio after my daughter has been in the sprinklers.

Since I need two pair of sandals for the season, I also have a pair from last year that resemble Reef's Movement thong sandals . Models like this are built for maximum mobility, the type a parent needs at an amusement or water park. They protect against germs (and if, like us, your family has had plantar warts, you are very aware of this!) and provide arch support.

For some interesting reading about sandals, visit:

• This article (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-rosenberg/the-truth-about-the-shoes_b_1703630.html) entitled The Truth About Shoes of Summer, Sandals, Flip Flops And Wedgesextolls the virtues of the sandal and gives advice on how to choose the right type for you.
  
  
• SheFinds has a piece on the 8 Types Of Sandals Every Girl Needs In Her Closet This Spring(http://www.shefinds.com/2014/8-types-of-sandals-every-girl-needs-in-her-closet-this-spring). The sandals shown are pretty, but my first reaction is “Yeah, like I have the budget for eight pair!” Author Maria Bobila lists, among the “necessary”ones, stilettos. For me, that's a fast-track to a sprained or broken ankle.
  
  
• Everyday Health has this article (http://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management-pictures/shoes-that-hurt-feet.aspx#/slide-2) that lists sandals among the 7 Shoes That Hurt Your Feet. Read into the piece, however, and it says that unsupportive models are the culprit. That's why, again, you'll want to look at sandals that do offer support.

As I type this, I am acutely aware of my sandal-wearing feet. I can wiggle my toes and see my home-done pedicure. My feet are not boxed into shoes, encased in boots, or confined by socks. They are cool, free, and happy. And when my feet are happy, I am happy. You can choose to celebrate Summer's warm weather. Me? I'll celebrate sandals!

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