THAT mom

you will see

Who does she think she is?
THAT mom in her skinny jeans?
make up done,
her hair not a mess?
where are her sweat pants?
is that a new dress?
Who does she think she is?
a man nudges another,
THAT is somebody's mother?

Wait, now she is smiling at me --
pleased to meet you,
I noticed you over there,
don't worry, she giggles,
you'll get used to their glares,
and all the sudden I am
officially, unexpectedly,
joining THAT mom
on the other side of the fence.

Author's Note

Do your worst. I don't care. It's a new adventure -- being THAT mom ain't half bad.

Reviews

[Tate Morgan]

hahhaha oh this is really telling of human nature and of women .I wonder With men they fight then they are best friends Not that way at all with women Is it?

[Lyn Anderson]

You got it. Women are a whole different breed.

[ron]

This sounds like it has another story to tell...:)))

[Lyn Anderson]

Not really. Started running more, losing weight and wearing nicer clothing, fit in with a different crowd. Just sorta happened.

[ron]

Wow. Sounds wonderful.

[Madalyn Beck]

GOOD FOR YOU. Be THAT mom! Just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to neglect yourself! I don't think I could ever not look good as a mom.. Hahaha! Strut your sexy mama kitty self! xo (:

[Lyn Anderson]

I went through a low self esteem period where I wore non-descript colourless clothing and little to no makeup -- losing those sizes definitely helped, but it's more than that, a changing attitude with a changing wardrobe has changed some of the women's attitudes toward me -- some positive, some negative.

[Madalyn Beck]

Well I'm sending you all sorts of positivity right now! Though I don't know you well, I'm sure you are a stellar mom no matter how you dress! (:

[s y e]

I agree with you Madness, I think you're a stellar mum.

[Lyn Anderson]

Oh, I like my momness, I just was too oblivious to the machinations of my surroundings to notice the dynamics of the before and after school pick up atmosphere until recently -- women are a funny bunch.

[s y e]

Just because you have kids doesn't mean you need to stop putting make up and looking good. You're still the same person only with a child(s). I think it's rubbish how some view a mother to look kind of run down... You be who you want to be, not what people expect you to look like.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks so much. Of course you are right. But it is literally like some weird high school clique thing. Sorry to say, Noodle, it doesn't end ...

[s y e]

Some people are such hypocrites... I think we can dress and wear what we want, when we want. No one can tell us how we should be dressing just because we've had a (few) child.

[Lyn Anderson]

I went to a school banquet last night. All the men were in suits, but only half the women were dressed to impress. It's this weird badge of honour thing -- if I don't fix up too much I am a more caring mom ... very odd ...

[s y e]

How can people even say that? Surely you should be able to dress how you want and still be a 'caring mum', just because you want to look and feel good doesn't mean you don't care... sheesh, people need some sense knocked in to them.

[redflutterby]

Be that mom....or whatever mom you want. Ive always thought it was sad that women are expected to meet societys stereotypes. Having children doesnt mean you shouldnt be sexy or passionate. That beautiful free spirit is always inside of you...;-)

[Lyn Anderson]

I always was, on the inside, but the last few years beat me down, and with new attitude sometimes you shed negatives you didn't even realize you had accepted. Thank you.

[redflutterby]

I know exactly how that feels... ;-)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i guess there are expectations as to what a mom is going to look like...and sometimes we are totally fooled...
made me smile...i was thinking of June Cleaver...and how she always wore her dress and high heels and looked perfect even though she was cleaning house and cooking a big meal for the family...but then Ward was always wearing a tie..even on Saturdays.

[Lyn Anderson]

The "culture" at school pick up at public school is kind of high school in reverse, at least where I am. The expectation seems to be look frazzled -- or at the very least melt into the crowd. Changing one's self image sometimes means joining a different crowd, one you didn't realize you could be a part of.

[Lyn Anderson]

Oh, and thanks for stopping by. Glad to make you smile.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the whole culture thing makes perfect sense...a really good poem.