Be Chic

The dictionary defines the word chic as stylish or elegant. Another definition uses the words attractive and fashionable. I would say that my approach to motherhood has been a mix of some of these adjectives. Let's be real, around the house I may not always look fashionable and the scene around me may not be all that elegant but hey that's what you get when you hire yourself for this type of job.

I'd like to think that being chic is a state of mind or an attitude. It's knowing that even though you may not look as polished as your former pre-baby self you are indeed still that girl. You know the one I'm talking about. The one that would wake up early for the gym. After the gym she would transform herself into a girl that could easily be an extra on an episode of Sex and the City. I imagine myself in a tailored suit, bright blouse and killer heels. Gliding through the office saying "Good Morning!", around 8 and slipping out saying my "See you tomorrows!" at exactly 5. After work my husband and I would have a great dinner, maybe we'd watch a movie before calling it a night. That girl was fun and well rested. She was chic.

Quite frankly, I still think of myself as that woman. I am still her. The difference is I'm not as self absorbed as I once was. One of the first things they teach you at Mom University is to give up thinking it's all about you. A chic Mommy knows that her life has changed forever for the better. She knows that if she works really hard she can be an amazing Mom and keep her pre-baby self alive. The chic Mom plans, she always has an extra or a back-up and most of all she's not too hard on herself. This job is hard enough, if you're going to give yourself a year end review every couple days you may as well go back to a traditional job with a traditional boss. One of the perks of working for yourself is allowing yourself to make mistakes, because you will. My daughter is 17 months old and the fact that she's made it this far under the care of my husband and I is incredible. I am by no means a Mommy expert, but I do know that everyday is a new day to get it right.

I am chic because I realize sweating the small stuff is a waste of time. Even the mother offering you unsolicited advice has messed up before. One of the biggest lessons that I have learned this past 17 months is to stay true to who I am and try to be a Mommy around that. As a result most days are great and I hardly ever leave my house without looking pulled together. Frumpy is not an option or a mindset that I am interested in discussing. Being chic is not what you're wearing or the play group you attend, it's your entire approach to motherhood.