Self-Respect
Yesterday, Youngest Daughter and I decided to go to our local shopping mall. Not to shop, but so that Youngest Daughter could get out of the house and play with other kids her own age. I try to do this at least once a week. Not just to the mall, but to the park, on a play date, splash pads, wherever I think she will have a chance to mingle.
When we arrived at the mall, I noticed large amounts of "mom" vehicles pulling into the parking lot. As we parked, I looked towards the mall and saw hordes of moms and kids hanging around the outdoor amphitheatre. We decided to investigate the gathering, finding that it was the monthly kids' club meeting - complete with a person dressed up as a gopher, another man dressed as a jester and copious amounts of chocolate chip cookies - you know, the usual kids' fare. We stayed for awhile, until it got too hot, then we headed inside to the air conditioned kids play area.
This post is not about the mall's half-assed attempt at fun kid activities, because good for them for even trying it. And from the number of people that were there, I guess bad is better than nothing.
No, this post is about what I saw while I was there. I saw a lot of moms. And by a lot of moms, I mean parts of moms that I should not ever have to see. You should never have to see. Children certainly should not have to see.
This is where I step on my soap box. I know that summer is approaching and it is getting damn hot outside already. But that is not a license to wear inappropriate clothing. And by inappropriate clothing, I mean things that are three sizes too small (especially if they do not fit over your stomach), spandex (only appropriate at the gym - and sometimes not even then), sheer clothing (tops and bottoms, I mean really?), anything cleavage baring (if there is even a slight chance of nipplage, it's a no-no) and Daisy Dukes. I am not talking about teenagers that are pushing the boundaries of what they think their parents will tolerate. I am talking about seeing all of these things on moms toting around their children.
I am a mom and I want nothing more than to support my fellow moms. I feel it is important to stand together in this highly taxing profession and to do what we can to lift each other up. But this is where I draw the line.
Moms, you need to take a long hard look at yourself in a full-length mirror before leaving the house. If the clothing you are wearing are too tight, too revealing, advertises products that your children would not be allowed around (even on accident) - change your clothes!! And would it hurt you to comb your hair, maybe even put a little make-up on? I know that sometimes that's asking too much (yes, I have had plenty of those days), but when I take the effort, I know I look better and I feel better because of it.
I know that this post is going to rub some of you the wrong way. And that's ok. I can live with that. It's not the first time, and I can guarantee it won't be the last. But I feel strongly about this, which I didn't even realise how strongly until yesterday. As mothers to little boys, we are their examples of the women they will choose to date and marry one day in the future. Don't we want to set them the best example we can? As mothers to little girls, we are giving them examples of what is appropriate to wear, to take care of themselves and their appearance, as well as how to carry themselves. The world is a brutal place for girls - lets help them out as much as we can.
The bottom line is - have some self-respect. JCMT
When we arrived at the mall, I noticed large amounts of "mom" vehicles pulling into the parking lot. As we parked, I looked towards the mall and saw hordes of moms and kids hanging around the outdoor amphitheatre. We decided to investigate the gathering, finding that it was the monthly kids' club meeting - complete with a person dressed up as a gopher, another man dressed as a jester and copious amounts of chocolate chip cookies - you know, the usual kids' fare. We stayed for awhile, until it got too hot, then we headed inside to the air conditioned kids play area.
This post is not about the mall's half-assed attempt at fun kid activities, because good for them for even trying it. And from the number of people that were there, I guess bad is better than nothing.
No, this post is about what I saw while I was there. I saw a lot of moms. And by a lot of moms, I mean parts of moms that I should not ever have to see. You should never have to see. Children certainly should not have to see.
This is where I step on my soap box. I know that summer is approaching and it is getting damn hot outside already. But that is not a license to wear inappropriate clothing. And by inappropriate clothing, I mean things that are three sizes too small (especially if they do not fit over your stomach), spandex (only appropriate at the gym - and sometimes not even then), sheer clothing (tops and bottoms, I mean really?), anything cleavage baring (if there is even a slight chance of nipplage, it's a no-no) and Daisy Dukes. I am not talking about teenagers that are pushing the boundaries of what they think their parents will tolerate. I am talking about seeing all of these things on moms toting around their children.
I am a mom and I want nothing more than to support my fellow moms. I feel it is important to stand together in this highly taxing profession and to do what we can to lift each other up. But this is where I draw the line.
Moms, you need to take a long hard look at yourself in a full-length mirror before leaving the house. If the clothing you are wearing are too tight, too revealing, advertises products that your children would not be allowed around (even on accident) - change your clothes!! And would it hurt you to comb your hair, maybe even put a little make-up on? I know that sometimes that's asking too much (yes, I have had plenty of those days), but when I take the effort, I know I look better and I feel better because of it.
I know that this post is going to rub some of you the wrong way. And that's ok. I can live with that. It's not the first time, and I can guarantee it won't be the last. But I feel strongly about this, which I didn't even realise how strongly until yesterday. As mothers to little boys, we are their examples of the women they will choose to date and marry one day in the future. Don't we want to set them the best example we can? As mothers to little girls, we are giving them examples of what is appropriate to wear, to take care of themselves and their appearance, as well as how to carry themselves. The world is a brutal place for girls - lets help them out as much as we can.
The bottom line is - have some self-respect. JCMT
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