You know those moms. They look totally put together each morning at preschool drop-off. They’ve always on top of everything that their kids need for school. So organized and polished.
That was the dream. To be one of those moms.
But, instead, I’m THAT mom.
Let me give you an example from Monday morning.
My kids decided to sleep in. This rarely happens, but when it does, of course it’s on a school morning: we now have 15 minutes to get everyone in the van. I rush around and get the two who are going to school into their clothes while deciding a diaper change is enough for the baby.
As for me, I threw on a pair of shorts and decided the tank top that I’d slept in would be fine for drop off- since I don’t actually have to get out of the van for that. So, of course I don’t need to put on a bra. My hair is in the messy bun that I’d tied it up into the night before. And I don’t need shoes, either.
We rush out the door and root around in the van for snacks for the boys to take to school, while promising my kindergartener that I will check the lunch calendar when I get home and bring his lunch to school if they are having something he doesn’t like.
Drop off the kindergartener. Drive to preschool, drop off the preschooler.
But, wait.
The assistant who gets my child out of the van asks me if he has his white t-shirt in his backpack.
What white t-shirt? I have no idea what on earth she’s talking about. Was there something about that on his calendar? Where did I put that calendar anyway?
But, I smile like I have a clue when she tells me that his class is painting their shirts that morning. I tell her that I’ll just run across the street to the store and pick one up for him and be right back.
Drive across the street, thankful that the parking lot of K-Mart is still empty. Survey what is in the van: there’s a light pink hoodie that I can toss over my tank to disguise the fact that I don’t have on a bra. Even though my shorts are bright pink and I sort of look like a giant cotton candy in this outfit.
Then I start looking for shoes. In the trunk, my options are a pair of black high heels with bright pink accents or a pair of black flats. I put on the flats, grab my youngest, who is still in pajamas, and head into the store, praying not to see anyone I know. Or anyone at all.
The K-Mart gods are smiling on me so I am able to grab a white shirt and checkout without seeing anyone but the cashier. We were in and out of there so fast that I got back to preschool before all the drop-offs were over: I was able to hand the white t-shirt to one of the assistants through my window.
Phew.
That morning? Pretty typical. Because I’m not one of those moms, I’m THAT mom.
I don’t look put together while I do this mom thing, but I still get it done.
And my boys love me anyway.
Are you one of those moms or are you THAT mom?
I'm a makeup-less, pony-tailing, flip flops and crumpled jeans momma.
Those always manicured and false-eyleashed, perfect hair mommas can suck it.
My kiddos love me:)
I am absolutely THAT mom. I take my kid to school in sweats, which in colder weather? are my pajamas, I have bed head and most of the time I'm not quite ready to talk to anyone…. AND I actually have to get out of the car and walk to my kid into the classroom. eh, I don't care.. I'm sure I would be more presentable if work was my next stop 🙂
I hear ya. I'm that mom too! And for some reason at my kid's preschool, I seem to be the ONLY mom that is THAT mom. Everyone else always looks totally put together…
I'm THAT mom.
I am somewhere in the middle…my kids on the other hand…UGH.
For example this morning, I had class picture envelopes filled out with the checks. Hand both of my elementary kids their envelopes and asked them to add them to their backpacks. In 5 minutes time, GW lost his envelope. I can't find it anywhere. The bus was coming, so I had to chicken scratch another check, done with just enough time for GW to walk out to bus stop safely.
I'm THAT mom…or at least I was…now I have to get dressed for work.
But this one time (at Band Camp) I pulled up in my pj's and the director comes out and tells me one of the teachers just had to leave with a sick kid. Could I please sub? And I did… in my pj's… I had to borrow flip flops from someone! I even got paid to do it! 🙂
Apparently it's still talked about at the preschool.
I hate it when I do the tank, no bra and no shoes and then I realize my gas tank is empty…
OH I am so THAT mom.. Thankfully my kids now ride the bus but it doesn't make it any easier, cause guarantee one will not want to get up and going.. and I will be forced to be THAT mean mommy
I'm in hysterics over you looking like a giant cotton candy! Keep doing what you're doing because, it works…however you dress it!
Great post!
Love ya!
Funny!!! Um, I'm a bit in between but if I'm running late, you bet your pink shorts, I'd be lookin' just like you!
Lol Girl I am THAT mom 🙂
yeah, we're totally in the same club…
although I do try to always put a flower in my hair since it's so short now…don't want people thinking the kids have two mommies…
haha
Right now I have on yoga pants, an oversized t-shirt, flip flops and a frizzy unruly ponytail. It's no different than any other morning so, ya, I'm THAT mom.
I try so hard to be put together and remember things but I am totally just like you.
I have done school drop off bra-less all year and there will be no stopping.
I know when I am beat.
Yep, I was THAT mom, too. AT least you had some kind of shoes in your truck. I would have been totally out of luck!
I'm usually THAT mom. The days that I'm home with N, I rarely shower until after she goes to bed and yep, I leave the house that way. You are in good company!
I spent A LOT of time measuring myself against the uber mommies, of which there are many here in NYC. Somewhere along the way I accepted that it was not tenable for me. I do enjoy the challenge of looking cute and am happy when I rise to it. But I've stopped beating myself up when I can't. I guess I'm growing up!
OMG you have a minivan? #jealous. 😉
Ha ha I'm already that mom, and I only have one! It's all downhill from here….who knows what I will look when I have more!
I think you can only possibly be one of THOSE moms if you only have one kid! I have three. And I am definitely THAT mom!!
well bailey isnt in school yet but im quick to throw something on just to run to the store with him.. lucky you didnt run in to anyone i always seem to run into people i know when i look like crap
I have to laugh because that would so happen to me if i ever left the house without a bra or shoes.
One of my sons classmates lives around the corner from us. All through elementary school we would see the little girl get in the car at their house in her pj's but her mom was dressed. By the time they got to the drop-off loop at school, she was dressed. Now in high school, the girl is dressed and drives to school while mom rides shotgun in her pj's.
I don't know what I'll turnout to be. I push myself to the limit to get everything done (my father raised me to be that way).
I'm totally THAT mom. It's why it's not to my benefit to clean out the car – who knows when I might NEED some of that stuff.
I was/am proud to be THAT Mom because through it all, THAT Mom is a happy Mom. Instead of 'beautifying' myself … I'm doing the important stuff. Being a Mom. 🙂
My kids aren't in school yet, and unfortunately after I drop them off I have to go to work, so I have to look together.
But inside, I'm THAT mom. And happy about it.
I think we all wanted to be *that* mom at one point and then BAM! reality hit us like a ton of bricks. I am not *THAT* other mom too. Keepin it real. Our life sometimes is a hot mess but it keeps us on our toes. All the kids are safe, happy, well fed, warm bed, and loved beyond belief.
After getting lunches packed, book bags assembled and everyone else in the house dressed and out the door, I'm lucky if I can grab a cup of coffee before rushing out behind them. Sure, I could get up earlier to make sure I am "put together" as well…but I LOVE my sleep. Heck, I still haven't gotten dressed yet and my kids have been at school for over an hour now! I'm THAT mom.
LOL great post.
Okay, whether or not you are one of those moms or THAT mom, I think it's pretty impressive you had all the makings of an outfit in your car. I think you get some serious props for that alone 🙂
I'm that mom in the morning and my goal is to step it up a little by the time the bus comes back at 3:30….u would think 7 hours would be enough time to look good…but it rarely works out!
I am soooooooooo THAT mom!!! Always!! I work better under pressure – that's what I tell myself! ha ha
My husband however is soooo frickin organized and SUCH a planner – I drive him ABSOLUTELY CRAZY :-/
I am so THAT mom! I can't tell you how many times we forgot about "show and share day" (even though it is every Friday) or forgot to send in snacks on our day so Dave would have to bring the snacks at some point during the day. I even bought a dry erase calendar to keep track of things. Still hasn't helped!
In between-rarely ever put together for drop offs, but I haven't done it in my pajamas-yet 🙂
Usually am dressed for the day, but don't have hair or makeup done.
I am so THAT mom! I once fell asleep on the couch and woke up at 5 after 3:00. I was supposed to pick my son up at school by 3! I freaked out, grabbed my keys and left the house barefooted. I showed up at the car rider line only to find no one there. I had to go in the office, bare feet, bed head and all to retrieve my mortified son who was sitting in the office waiting for me!
YAY for THOSE moms! Or THAT mom. Cuz I'm THAT mom TOO!!!! 🙂
I always wonder what the teachers or other moms say about me behind my back….I figure something like, "wow, she's a hot mess"… So I guess that makes me THAT mom too!
I hate to admit this, but I feel frazzled and completely out of sorts if I am THAT mom. I'm not judging in any way, shape, or form but my kids clothes, lunches, and backpacks are ready to go the night before. And when I take them to school (dropped off early) I am dressed, my hair is brushed, and I usually have eyeliner and mascara on. However, my wardrobe leaves a lot to be desired and I am usually wearing something that I'd be embarrassed to go to the store in. No cute and matchy outfits for me. Jeans or shorts, and a big t-shirt for me.
My husband is on business trip and I am working from home today, so I send my daughter to school in the T-shirt and hair which I wore to bed with my totally naked face. This is the stark contrast of how I would usually look when my husband is the driver and I can put on layers after layers of mascara while we are in the car. When my daughter's teacher saw me today, she said, "Oh, you must be quite sick. I hope you get better soon."
I am sooo THAT mom. And the bad thing is that I don't care to be the other kind.
I have to go to work after I drop the kids off at day care so I'm usually dressed ok. It's the other stuff I forget, like my lunch, phone, or my badge (which I can't get in the building without).
A long time ago, my friend who worked at a preschool warned me about being "that mom". She said that the daily gossip between the teachers was about which moms showed up still in their pajamas, etc.
I vowed to always drop off my son fully clothed and showered from that point on.
Which has made me the "habitually thirty-minutes late" mom. So I'm sure I still get talked about for my obvious lack of time-management skills.
Pick sweatshirt, shorts and black high heels! Classy! I love it!
Hell, I'm often THAT mom and I don't even have kids!
I am right there with you mama! Unfortunately, I have to get out of my car to drip off my preschooler and hike up 56 steps, that is right 56 steps because we count them every time. I am usually in sweats looking at the other moms who are all put together. Oh well, at least we keep thing interesting.
Love this post!!! I'm definitely THAT mom!=)
I go back and forth with both
Depends on the day
or what the night was like
heee
that is all
I'm one of those moms but I have THAT mom moments too! Like the time I let Paxton eat whatever it was he found near the garbage can and just called it snack!
I am totally That mom,I wear sweats,hair in a messed up bun too,flip flops or sometimes no shoes,I forget to sigh things,I forget to take things in after I find them all over the house.and my boys(4) still LOVE their momma.
If I recall correctly (it was a long time ago), I was a working mom and Daddy was the "drop-off mom". He was always fully dressed. lol!
By the way, did you know that in many states it is illegal to drive barefooted??
Uh, you know me…I'm definitely THAT mom! Although I do get dressed because I have to walk the little twins into class and sign them in…but no make-up (or very little) and hair always in a messy bun or loose ponytail.
I cannot wait for the day where I can drop them all off at the same school, at the same time and not have to get out of the mini-van.
2 more years, 2 more years, 2 more years….my personal mantra.
Oh my goodness! I love this post! I am definitely, THAT mom! Thanks for your honesty!
I am so THAT mom.
…and one time, I had to do that impromptu shopping trip at Wal-mart, only there wasn't ANY shoes involved.
THANK YOU!! I just remembered I forgot today was my snack day. Managed to make it to the school just in time!!
I am totally THAT mom too. Except you will never find a pair of heels in my car because I can't wear them. Instead my car and my closet are filled with flip-flops.
*raises hand* yep, that mom too, except I would have run into everyone I know at K-Mart, and they would want to stop and talk.
I'm thinking THOSE moms are the same moms that get to have their hair blown out on a regular basis. I hate THOSE moms (on the inside of course and out of pure jealousy because they often look better than this not-a-mom).
I must say shell, I loved your play-by-play of your Monday morning! haha So glad I came across your blog! ^_^
I have to be honest; it depends on the day for me. If I have to work, I am one of THOSE moms, but if not, I am THAT mom. lol 🙂
I don't mind THOSE moms, as long as they treat me with respect for being a mom and a person, they can do what they please.
I do a great job at pretending to be that mom! I have a certain flair for making it seem like I didn't forget to send a lunch with my child, I just took extra time to prepare it and drop it off late.
I would say I'm half put together and depending on the day. Some days I'm lucky to be showered and dressed, but my hair is wet and I have no make up on. Then there are the days when my son is still in his pj's without shoes, I'm wearing the clothes I wore to bed and I've got flip flops on. Those days, I drive through parent drop off and never get out of the van. lol!
It's ok to be THAT mom when you can hide in the van. haha!
I am currently in between the two I think. But I am sure that at some point I will be THAT mom. It is only a matter of time 🙂
I truly fret for the days that my wife is too sick to deal with the kids, so it's just them & me getting them ready for school.
While you at least had SOMETHING to wear when you had to make the emergency KMart run (if I were in your shoes, I'd have totally warn the heels – why the hell not?), I've been known to make an emergency drive wearing only mesh shorts. And I seldom have other clothing in my truck . . . though, I do have a purple dress shirt & my Vibram Five Fingers in there today, which would make for a great People of Walmart picture, I think.
I once went to the store with spit up on my shirt. I'm not one those moms either. I'm a real mom. Us real moms are better. 😀
Hilarious! I have done the no bra thing before, literally just threw my fleece over my shirt and dropped Will off.
I don't have time to be one of "those" moms…lol!
I'm definitely with you on being THAT mom. I give props to those who have it all together and look PERFECT doing it, but I'm not aspiring to be them. As long as the bills are paid, kids are fed & happi, and I'm still in one, albeit messy, piece, I'd call it a successful day. =)
Mornings are horrible. I hate mornings. I usually just throw on some comfy clothes to take the kids to school in since I don't have to get out of my vehicle. I'm also always so forgetful.. When you have more than one child in school and 2451 notes that come home every day, it's hard to be able to keep things organized and remember which kid has what when!? Then I feel like the bad mom when I DO forget things.
I'm so THAT mom too! But as long as at the end of the day we have gotten it done – isn't that all that matters? Hats off to being prepared enough to have shoes in the car, I would have been up a creek. And the boys don't even notice the difference.
I don't have time to be anything but THAT mom. I had great visions of being well put together but well….it never happened. And you know what? I'm okay with it and totally own it. I love seeing all of these other moms own it too!
Oh Shell, your kids are so lucky to have you! Our mornings are crazy too. The only difference…my ladies are always contained 😉
Hmmmm….I'd like to say I'm a good combination of both..type A with a dash of scatterbrained. But doesn't that make things more interesting? 🙂
If I get up to three kids, I'm sure I'll be that Mom. Although I'd like to think I'll be the put together Mom. We will have to wait and see.
I am cracking up! Envisioning all of this happening is so funny! I LOL when I got the shoes.
Girl, you have THREE little boys and you look fabulous. Give yourself a break! And yeah, I'm totally one of those 😉
I'm impressed you had shoes in your car! (that were yours, not just kid shoes LOL)
I'm always a mess.
Yay! Blogger's finally back up! Loved the bunny reference. There are days I think I've done a fairly good job getting presentable enough to get my kids to school, then I go home and realize I haven't brushed my hair, I have stains on my shirt, I forgot to put my contacts in. Good. Times.
Haha!! Glad to know that great moms don't always look their best 🙂 I'll remember that when it's my turn to run into K-mart bra-less!!
I'm not one of those mom's I'm THAT mom and I only have ONE. You are SO not alone and everytime I have a THAT mom moment I just smile. I have to laugh at the fact that I'm THAT mom. And you know what? I embrace it. Some days I feel a little bad about it and wish it were different but then what would I have to laugh about? How boring would it be if I didn't have the story to tell about the errant goldfish that got superglued to the buttcheek of my black yoga pants with baby slobber and took a ride with us to wallyworld? Its the small stuff that makes this motherhood…something that I always wanted to be a part of. I love it!
If it's any consolation, I have a friend who is that Mom….and she has confided in me that even though she appears to be that Mom, she actually is falling apart behind the perfect hair etc….. I don't know if I believe her 😛
And that is why you never clean out the minivan/SUV.
Everytime I do I always need that extra clothing, shoes, food, markers, paper, etc.
It is not a messy vehicle it is a survival strategy.
I never judge another mom by the location of her headlights. I'm lucky if I brush my teeth by the first drop off.
I am that mom too. I see those moms and wonder how they do it… as hard as I try, I think I will always be that mom and I have no problem with it either!
I'm always THAT mom. Example one-picked up daughter from school with a black eye and stitches from playing softball. Yeah, they totally believed me.
Oh, I'm THAT mom. Without a doubt. As much as I try not to be, I end up getting screwed. Oversleeping, cranky kids, forgetful husband, missing papers, unorganized mess. You name it. That's me!
Oh, yeah, I'm definitely THAT mom. When my husband returns after a few days business trip and sees the house in a state of mess, I feel the need to remind him that 1)I work, 2)there is still a roof over our heads and food on our table and 3)the kids are alive. To me . . . being THAT mom and having those 3 things in check is pretty much all that I need! 😉 Great post, dear!
we are all that mom! I don't think the other mm exists, at least not every day!
I would say about 80% of the time I drop off my preschooler (the only one I have to walk into school) in my workout clothes, which are basically just glorified PJ's. And I often sleep in them. My hair is a mess, and sometimes there's mascara smeared who knows where. lol The other day I got there and realized that it was our snack day, crap!, so I had to run to Walmart in my workout/PJ's and I was praying that no one would see me.
My daughter had a "picnic" today at preschool, so of course I sent a lunch with her in her cute little lunchbox. Apparently the teacher was cooking lunch for all of them. How did I miss that memo? When she got home I ate the pbj and felt like an idiot.
Sandy
This totally made me smile!!:) I am not sure which sort I am yet but I bet you I won't be all that pulled together, much as I might wish to be.:)
I am not one of those put-together moms. I stopped trying. I would rather be a mom who gets shit done and whose kid thinks I am a hero. So I focus on that. And I look like a mess doing it.
I would place good money on the fact that you rocked that outfit! And the best part about you being the mom that you are, is that you love your boys more than anything. I am not really sure which mom I am–I think I may have split mom personalities 🙂
Hilarious! I am definitely THAT mom!
I love this story. At least it was a k-mart and it wasn't a more refined store like target 😉 I am totally THAT mom and have walked around NYC with my pajamas on to grab diapers because I didn't realize we ran out!
You probably did rock that outfit!! I tend to be one of THOSE moms. I guess it's because I'm southern and I can't leave the house without mascara on. But, I only have one munchkin so it isn't impossible. If I ever have more, I doubt I'll have time to worry about it. But I'll probably still wear mascara – bra or not.
Visiting from The Red Dress Club! Nice to meet you.
oh – I have a feeling I'll be the same way you are. . . which is fun right? Who wants to be perfect anyways?!! It's over-rated – ask my mom! 🙂 she always tried so hard to be perfect.
I'm on your team. Why?
1. Friday was my son's library day. Guess who forgot to put his library book in his bag?
2. I've referred to my 3yo girl as a slut in front of strangers (see this: http://t.co/BCnyOzH)
3. I have missed 8 straight School Pride Blue Days, the 1st Friday of the month.
But i do always wear a bra, because otherwise my gymsock ta-tas will tumble down into my underpants elastic.
Came from TRDC.
Definitely THAT mom though I've yet to go out the house without a bra, even if I'd wear 2 jackets. Yes it's that bad.
In my experience most of those moms are able to look that way because they don't have to spend as much time with their children. Since they are all at our house.
And your mornings sound so much like mine it's unbelievable. 🙂 This is me on any given day…not just when the kids are running late. Being THAT mom rocks.
And you did not go with the heels because WHY? You could have rocked those with that ensemble, girlfriend. Just sayin'.
While I'm not a mom yet, I'm a nanny, I have days like that. It's hard to get it all done – at a certain point, something's gotta give!
By the way, have you read the novel "Slummy Mummy"? It's about THAT mom and quite funny!
I love this post, I was totally giggling at the shoes part. I have had so many of these days. Why do the kids want to sleep in on school days and are so hard to wake up, but on the weekends they are up at the crack of dawn, jumping on your head? One time I had to run out the door with 2 kids (mine and boy I used to watch) to pick up my son from school because hubby was running late and I didn't look in the mirror b4 leaving. Of course my hair was super frizzy and poofy and sticking up all over the place and my son's teacher was just staring at me with this look in her eye of what's wrong with your hair. I didn't know until I got home that I looked like a crazy woman, oh well.
LOL – when I used to teach 2 days a week, I was the mom who had it all together. On my "off" days – I am that mom! Now, I am that mom all the time. I swear they don't recognize me when I'm all put together!:)
JDaniel has started taking off his shoes. He would have ended up at school without them.
I am worse than THAT mom or the put together mom…I am the blackberry mom. The mom that checks her blackberry while waiting in the line of cars because work is emailing, calling and just outright being annoying. The mom that the assistant has to ask her questions to twice because I am typing an "important" email…and then kiddo says my mommy is already working, I have everything I need. I am the blackberry mom and I need help!!!! (at least I admit my issues…I guess that is step one)
I am sooooo totally THAT mom in pajamas, flip flops, no bra, hair in a pony (thank GOD for ponies!), and sunglasses to cover the no makeup. The scary thing is that I just really don't see anything wrong with it. No matter what anyone on Style or Bravo says.
I was raised by THAT MOM, but I keep telling myself it skips a generation.
I am so glad that I read this today! It made me laugh out loud remembering all of my "oh crap" moments…and the ones still to come. I'm slightly impressed that you had any wardrobe choices in your van (and snacks!) Apparently you are more prepared than you realized! I look forward to reading more – thank you Red Dress Club.
– Emily
I usually prefer that mom to the ones who wake up three hours early so that they can dress up to take the kids to school.
I love this. I am definitely THAT mom. Sometimes I wonder if it's like high school–do most of us feel like THAT mom even if other people see us as one of those moms?
Because I don't know anyone who thinks she is one of those moms. Unless she has a full-time nanny and a less than full-time job.
Ask me this again in a few months cause I am already pretty bad in the morning and I only have 1 kid that has to go to school. My routine is getting school kid up making him eat and get dressed and brush his teeth. getting myself somewhat presentable which really just means the jeans I had on the day before and what ever shirt I grab. I wake the other one, put shoes on her and we are out the door with still in what ever she chose as pjs the night before 🙂 BUT next year she will also be off to school! so that means I will have to get her ready also. it's not gonna be pretty around here in the mornings!
I always want to be the put together mom that is dressed make up done while dropping the kids off at school but instead make up and hair straightener have become distant friends! Dont worry being THAT mom leads to much more fun and better blogging 😉
We all like THAT mom way better. THOSE moms usually get their teeth bleached and Botox is their hobby…I know because my ex-husband married one of THOSE. And she does both of the above mentioned.
being THAT mom is my greatest accomplishment, to be made up etc means that you're taking that time away from something else….I think our children need to see us in reality, that being "THAT MOM" is the way to go.
I loved this post…and think/know that you are an INCREDIBLE mommy!
I choose to beleive that the good mom's are "THAT mom."
I brought my 4 yr. old to preschool in socks and a shirt because he refused to get dressed himself – I told him I would take him "as is" and he called my bluff…
yeah…I'm "THAT mom."
LOVE YOUR STUFF!!!
I am so not THAT mom. I pray I don't get pulled over for any reason that I would have to get out of my car during the morning drop off at the high school (no bra, makeup, or combed hair), and I drag into the preschool in a t-shirt and sweats (I work at home so no one sees me.) Thank you for not being THAT mom so the rest of us feel normal.
I don't know what I am right now b/c I have the luxury of preschool not starting until 9:45, but I'm sure there are days when we're all THAT Mom! Or we will be…then we'll be screwed for laughing at you!
Every day I have moments when I am THAT Mom and the OTHER MOM- the one with her act together.
Take last Friday morning…. I got the kids up and out of the house on time- everyone all well fed, brushed, combed, looking snazzy. We pull up into the school drop off driveway so I can unload my kids early- since my 9 year old has his orchestra practice before school start. I am all congratulating myself because "look at me, look at how together I am!" The kids march off into school, Spencer lugging his huge bass.
I'm smiling, pulling out of the parking lot, and then it hits me… orchestra practice was cancelled for today. I just dropped off the kids 30 minutes for nothing.
See I'm both Moms…. every day…
This cracked my business UP! You are so me. 🙂 Found you via JDaniels. Happy I did!
I am so that mom even though I don't drop my kids off at school. But I am always a hot mess. I am actually writing a guest post about how I am THAT mom as well.