10 tips for surviving motherhood in style
The truth is – being mother and being stylish are mutually exclusive. Unless you’re Sarah Jessica Parker who has 3 nannies for 2 children. If you actually are SJP, feel free to skip it as I’m writing for real world new mums and mums to be.
Are you still reading? Great! Then you most likely already know that the fun begins with pregnancy and it only gets better as things progress reaching the pinnicle with arrival of your precious little bubba. Destination maternity achieved! Life changes irreversibly as soon as you’re stepping into motherhood. Now looking back at the last year, I feel like I can provide some valuable advice. The sort of advice that I was looking for when entered motherhood and couldn’t find anywhere. Doctors won’t tell you and it isn’t written in maternity books or forums.
So this post is written primarily as I felt there is a need for these things to be said as some women still want to wear their heels and feel attractive even during such challenging period of life. So if you are one of those mums/mums to be please have a read and tell me what you think, maybe share your tips.
Here it is my truth about motherhood and HOW to survive it in style, i.e. without getting buried under a mountain of nappies
1. Most importantly – organise some kind of group of support. I.e. people who can help you out when it gets really difficult. Great if you have your family (esp. your mums) to help you with the baby in the first months. If you have no family (as in our case) get your man to help you. Discuss and set your days off. It’s not only your responsibility to sit at home with a baby, its your man’s duty too. Men are perfectly capable of looking after babies plus it will be a great bonding exesize for a new dad.
Tip: If you’re breast feeding, express milk in advance for your baby over a week, so there is something for your baby to eat and you can have your day off with a calm concience.
2. Sleep when baby sleeps. Well, everybody actually tells you that and they are RIGHT. You need to sleep as much as you can. I a kind of ignored this advice and got myself into various troubles. So looking back, I’d definitely place major importance on getting more sleep (I’m getting the looks right now as I type this as its getting very laaate). Invest in a good sleeping mask (like this one) and a pair of ear plugs (you still will hear your baby, trust me) to help you to sleep during the day.
3. Save. Thats a big one. Accept second hand clothes and other things that you think can be bought second hand. Of course, you’ll need some super cute and pretty things for your precious child but the rest, really, can be second hand. First, babies grow super fast, literally over night. So they grow out of their clothes within a couple of weeks. I still have a few things that Anastasia never wore and that is money that could have been put to better use.
Also prams – you can find a perfect pram on GumTree.com only at fraction of price of what you would pay for a new one. A pram is something your baby will need for 2 years maximum. So, do you really want to pay $90o for something just because its new instead of $300 for a second hand pram that you can resell later for the same price?
Finally, avoid things like nappy warmers, mummy bags and other weird motherhood related overmarketed crap that you don’t actually need. Think twice to thrice before buying things that you REALLY need for your baby.
4. Invest in a good coverage foundation and concealer. Now we’re talking! See step 2? Its not always possible and there will be many days when you’ll get 3 hours of sleep. We do not aim for a crazy panda look, we aim for a healthy glowing young mum look. So conceal, everything you can. See here how to.
5. Hide your shoes. Because babies EAT shoes. Exactly while you’re be brushing your teeth, your cute bubba may chew on your Pradas. And this is not good, neither for your baby nor for Pradas. Full stop.
6. Hide your nail polishes, makeup and everything else little and bright. Because babies EAT and SMASH everything. Also lock your clothes. Because as soon as they can walk and reach for things they like to dress themselves into YOUR clothes. That’s funny and cute but if they drag your precious Valentino gown on the floor one morning while you’re still trying to wake up then you may loose your… Valentino.
8. Rest. Allow for days when you walk around in your PJs with an unwashed face. Whatever! You’re not obliged to look 100% at the cost of your mental health. You know we new mums are humans who need to rest too. Just don’t make that PJ day every day!
9. Save your time. Think of things that you can do faster or not do at all and instead devote that time to your baby and yourself. In our case, we started cooking bigger and simpler (less spicy) meals instead gourmet meals that require 2 hours to prepare. Talking about your beauty routine, you may opt for 2 in 1 products, again, to make it all happen quicker.
10. Enjoy! Have fun! Play with your little precious bubba! They grow so quickly so make the most of this achingly cute time while it lasts.
Have your own tips on surviving motherhood in style? Share with us, we would love to know!
xx
Maria
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Comments 18
Thank you for taking time to leave a comment! However, the comments section has been playing up recently. It's only working if you leave your name & email. Thanks for understanding, Maria xx
You hit the nail on the head with this one — SAVE! Money and time, YES!!!!
Nice post! We loved reading your post. :)
Much love from the SABO SKIRT girls!
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Such a gorgeous photo, love the outfit so much! Those shorts are amazing. I am not a mother, but I can only imagine how true this must ring. Not to compare animals to humans, but even getting and raising puppies takes soo much time at first! I am sure it would be very difficult to balance staying stylish and juggling the little ones.
Great post Maria!
These are fantastic tips!! I agree with them all…especially the giving yourself time. Mothers tend to give all their time to everyone else but themselves and before long they are sick and unable to do anything because they didn’t take that extra minute to rest or eat healthy instead of just grabbing a sweet. We need to take care of ourselves just as much as others, so we can do our jobs easier and sufficiently. And really it does a world of good to the spirit when you make an effort to dress nice, even if its a simple dress or lovely shirt and trousers, you feel uplifted. Or even popping on some nice shoes or painting your nails. Heck, even a face mask once in a while is like heaven, haha. But, it’s just important to do something. And rest when you can, if the baby is asleep, leave everything and sleep or sit down too. With my first, I cleaned while she was asleep and paid for it later when she woke, I was drained and stressed. So resting is very much needed and never feel guilty or not good enough if you can’t get everything done, no one can and if they say they don’t have bad days, they are lying or have help there. I didn’t have anyone after my husband went back to work, so it was straining. But, he was a great help when he came home :)) And I would also say, don’t be afraid to take the baby out for a walk, I’ve seen some nervous to do so, afraid the baby will get sick or cry, it will most likely sleep. Then you can refresh your mind and wear something nice and feel at ease :))) xx
thanks for sharing! I’m week 40 now and I’m so looking forward to my little one.
xoxo
TouchKajal.blogspot.com
PS: I would love to hear more about combining style & motherhood.
i love this post & i’m not even a mum hahaha (no way, not yet anyway!)
such funny but practical tips! xx
Fortunately (or unfortunately) I stopped wearing heels long before I was pregnant, which is just as well when my walker became a runner and I literally had to chase her everywhere. I invested in one of those toddler harnesses (and some running shoes), best $19 I ever spent and saved on a gym membership :)
It’s a boy!
Already looking forward to buy little Hunter boots :)
This is one of my favourite posts you’ve ever written Maria, great advice even for those of us without babies who are simply time poor we can take a lot away from this!
Great advice Maria! Thanks for this. I often wonder how I’ll chase after a toddler in heels. Someday!
I’m so glad you’ve left a very nice comment in my blog – thanks, btw – and so I’ve found yours. Your style is gorgeous and your baby is charming!
rosa-banana.blogspot.com/
This is such a great post. I love the photo as well. Too cute!! xx
Thanks for visiting my blog! These are fantastic tips and I totally agree about those nappy warmers too! I bought so many second hand clothes for the first 9 months as they have so many growth spurts during this time!
you are so right on here. i have a little one, 5, and a bigger one, 15, and live in a very rural town and sometimes fashion is challenging. great post!
[…] Read: CrashingRed.com – 10 tips for surviving motherhood in style […]
[…] Some moms simply have a knack for putting together stylish outfits, while others need some help and advice from fellow fashion mavens so they can look and feel great throughout motherhood. Whatever the case may be, it really is possible to put together some stylish ensembles that are still practical and comfortable for those busy days ahead. From investing in the right pair of shoes to organizing your beauty case, here are some essential beauty and style tips for motherhood. […]