Mom Guilt.

Somewhere in that pile of pillows and blankets lies my two year old. She's currently indulging in her first ever sick day cartoonfest, not just breaking but completely obliterating our 30 minutes per day rule. The rule, of course, that came about because I was (am?) convinced that otherwise she will never learn to think, speak, read, go to school, make good grades, graduate from college, blah blah blah and I would be a terrible mother.

When, exactly, did motherhood become a competitive game with guilt traps hidden around every corner? Somehow, it seems every choice we make, even in these very early years, could affect the outcome of our children's lives. Marketing geniuses have caught on to this trend and now market education tools to children still in the womb. From the moment they're out, it's cord blood, breastfeeding vs bottle, and cloth vs disposable.

The worst part is, we know what's going on. I know that buying the cheap box of macaroni probably won't hurt her, but I'll spend the extra money on organic just in case. I know most of the decisions I make for them are made with the fear of somehow steering them in the wrong direction or adversely affecting them, but I will continue to do it because that's what makes me a good mom. Not the actual choices I make, but the fact that I care enough to consider what's best.

However, just for today, I say screw you mom guilt. Now, I've got a PBS marathon to get back to. PBS, of course, because otherwise, Sponge Bob might rot her brain.

Mom Jeans (insert shudder here)

I'm 14. My mother drags me into a terribly cheap junior's store in the mall and begins shopping. For herself. I believe the trip was the result of me complaining about her hideous overalls, but it ended in near tears as I tried to convince her those terrible bellbottom faded juniors jeans were just NOT ok. Fail. She purchased them. Then, to make matters worse, she took to her weekly column in our hometown paper to detail the entire train wreck, laughing at her daughter (me) for insisting she dress like a mother. Then and there, I swore I would dress like a mom, when and if I were to become one.

Flash forward 10 years. I am, in fact, a mother. What, exactly, is a young mom to wear in 2011? There must be a comfortable, happy place somewhere in there, nestled somewhere between matronly mom and juniors. Trying to find that place while dealing with a post-baby body is a struggle I am nearly positive all new moms face. Why am I sure? Well, for one, I am a religious follower of Ain't No Mom Jeans where they tackle this topic daily.

My youngest is now 7 weeks and as I tackle the "what could possibly fit and yet look put together and hip" challenge in my closet daily, I trek back to the computer to see what the ladies over there have came up with. Today, I went through some of last year's photo's for inspiration for myself and to contribute to their linked up contest. Here are a few I found:






The skirt in the first photo sits high enough on the waist to cover up any belly you might be working off (or the new one growing underneath) while the casual layers make it ok for the zoo. Same thing in the second. Fitted layers under a flowy sweater.

And of course, always accessorize with an adorable toddler.

For more mom style ideas, see Ain't No Mom Jeans' Mom Street Syle Linkup!

I have a blog. Now what?

Though I considered creating one as an outlet for quite some time, I finally broke down and did it at the hopes of winning a sweet pair of jeans from the ladies over at Ain't No Mom Jeans. Just the push I needed.

Tune in to see what I come up with. Who knows, maybe it will even involve a solid direction ;)