Friday, February 8, 2008

Badge of Motherhood

You know what really annoys me? The whole Badge of Motherhood crap. I know you all know what I'm talking about (well...maybe Zach doesn't:P). This term can be applied to everything under the sun that deals with mommyhood. Stretchmarked thighs: Badge of Motherhood. Banana boobs: Badge of Motherhood. Mushy tummy: Badge of Motherhood. Orange spit-up down your new white shirt (which, incidentally Oxi-Clean does not get out): Badge of Motherhood. The term reminds me of something some gorgeous, uber-skinny single girl (with her handsome, chiseled bachelor of a boyfriend) coined to make her droopy sister feel better while she has one kid pulling on her skirt, another one sucking on her chin, and a third in the corner breaking her dishes. It's not that I don't think my wonderful children are worth every stretchmark and sag, but the phrase is just so patronizing. Why, oh why does the world think that I can't have two (or more) adorable children and still be fabulous?

Ok...rant over. Have a fabulous day!

PS-You know what I think is a real Badge of Motherhood? Mommybrain. How come no one tells us to celebrate that?

11 comments:

Crapos said...

I have nothing witty to contribute because my mommybrain is thinking about the bathroom floor that has to be mopped cause a lil girl peed all over it. But amen to the mushy tummy.

Nathan and Esther said...

Personally I want to be the third kid in the corner breaking dishes. But seriously, you can still be a total Diva with 2 kids or more! Don't let 'the world' pull you down! I say stick it to 'the world'! And if that doesn't work then ben & jerry's should!

Katie Rod said...

Hey Whitney,

Just came across your blog and thought I would say hello and see how you and the family were doing. I had my baby in September and have fallen victim to the mommybrain (which is pretty mushy like my tummy). I guess that's why it has taken me so long to get into blogging (is that even a verb?).

Tom and I moved to Dallas, Texas in December, so we aren't too far away from ya'll (I've already embraced the Southern culture). I look forward to more postings about the joys of motherhood!

Carrie said...

I totally agree about the badge of motherhood thing. Who really wants to walk around proudly with those things saying, yes, I am a mother? (especially stains on shirts). I would much rather have my kids be my badge of motherhood. They are a heck of a lot cuter!

The Lund Five said...

I think "mommy brain" ranks a close 2nd to "pregnant brain." It usually starts out in pregnancy and goes into being a mommy. After 3 kids I am still suffering from "mommy brain." I don't know if it ever ends. I don't think we should let the world decide what is acceptable. It is a personal decision we all have to make!

Alabama Apples said...

So, this is interesting- an article that states mommybrain is real, no joke! I love you and you are still totally fab! I would gladly give away the badges and keep the motherhood!

Kristin said...

Hey, I think my sister got the lion towel from target. Cute, huh! I love it too!

Zachary said...

Girlfriend...I TOTALLY know what you are sayin'. Mmmmhmmm! Amen! All that mushy-tummy and stretch markin' we gots goin' on! You go girl!

(And people wonder why I am still single)

Anonymous said...

Whit, you have put the phrase, "mommy brain" to such great use. You make me laugh too hard. Well, I guess here's to mommy brain, orange stains, too much in the tummy and too little in the chest.

Kristin Hanson said...

Ok, not to patronize, but the true badge of motherhood is when the most jewlery you wear is a breast pump ;)

Yes the peanut gallery still has it's edge, even with mommy brain!

Coty said...

lol Whitney, I couldn't agree more. You know that song about the "lovely lady lumps" well, I like to think of those as the love handles that bubble out over our pre-pregnancy jeans or the "bulge" that exposes itself even when we payed good money for those extra lycra pantyhose or the back fat that pinches up in our bra. Ahh now that's what I call lovely lady lumps right???