Tired of Feeling So Frumpy

I hear ya!!!! I was just talking to my husband about this last night! I feel so blah, and I hate it! We need to find some me time! :)

I take my shower at night as soon as I put the kids to bed - then I jump in to bed and go to sleep - wet hair and all! I get up in the morning about 15-30 minutes before I need to get my kids up and get them going and do my hair and make up and get dressed for the day. That is what I have found works for me. Good Luck finding a schedule that will work for you!

- I started showering at night so that I could actually enjoy the warmth rather than rushing through it- plus I have time to shave my legs which is nice too!
- I get up an hour before the rest of the family to get myself ready.
- Master the "5 MINUTE FACE" and do it every day (tinted moisturizer, translucent powder, blush, mascara and lips- done)
- Thick moisturizer at night before bed so that you can do a light one in the morning (less time to soak-in)
- Decorative headbands and clips are great... you don't have to blowdry, just twist your hair up and put in something!

Just saying this b/c it may seem silly, but you found 10 minutes to post a question and will find time to check the answers today, so you can find time to throw on some lip gloss!

I think this is a battle we all share. Not to sound like a sales person, but I was feeling the same way recently and stumbled across Carmindy's 5 Minute Face book (the makeup chick from What Not To Wear on TLC) at our library. I'm telling you, I am not a makeup person since i had my daughter, because frankly I don't have the time, but I decided I would just check it out. I read through it today and it is FABULOUS!! I seriously put my makeup on in like 8 minutes (which for me is a record! I'm sooo slow most of the time I don't even try). Her 5 minute face, with some practice, really could take 5 minutes!! Most of the stuff you need I already had and it's not some heavy going out look, but I felt the prettiest I've felt since my wedding day and I barely had anything on!!
I am a redhead (notorious for difficult makeup, ugh the freckles) but I really did feel like I could be seen in public (or on my couch LOL) without feeling frumpy and with barely any effort. YAY!!
Try it momma, it might change your life!

Good luck with the shower thing... I'm still trying to figure it out. let's just say the sprout channel for 10 minutes while I shower with the door open yelling "are you still good?" is how my days go. Oh to shower in peace, I miss that!

I have three and work full time and yet when i was home on maternity leave I kept up my routine regardless because I didn't want to fall into that pattern..Showered before the baby was up and made sure my hubby was still home to help until I at least got dressed. Be sure you have a sitter and break away when you can for those times when you can go and get your hair done and mani/pedi. I always look for tips and tricks in the magazines or online because when i am in a hurry I still want to do the hair and make-up. Also, many major make-up counters will have tips and tricks and can give you that make-over so you feel terrific...you are right you need to take care of yourself to feel good about being a wife and mother.

I have an almost six year old and an 8 month old, and if I didn't shower I would feel terrible all day.

So here is my secret...maybe you can tweek it to work for you. It's one of those "it's gotta be done, I don't care!" type of things...

I make my oldest breakfast, stick the baby in the swing, park them in front of the TV with PBS on, or Let's Make a Deal (which they love) and take a shower. If the baby fusses, my older daughter sings to her to make her happy.

When the baby gets older, I will put her in the playpen and do the same thing. After all, a shower (when you're a mommy) only needs to take 5-10 minutes, and for me, that includes brushing my teeth, putting on deodorant, picking out my hair, and I also make their beds while I'm brushing my teeth. I don't wear makeup, so I can't help you there....but I feel so much cleaner without it anyhow.

If it's a terrible day, as in, baby is fussing all morning, I'll just wipe myself down with a washcloth and put on new deodorant, and spray my hair with water so I feel a little fresher.

If we have to be somewhere early, I just get up earlier and do it on my own time while they are in bed. I actually prefer this, but with an 8 month old who still gets up 3 times a night, I like to sleep until she gets up in the morning to catch every last wink. But since you are out of the baby stage (but not for long!) you could try it...even just getting up 15 minutes before they do and hop straight into the shower.

I am a SAHM to a 3 year old and 1year old. My husband works nights, so I am pretty luck to have him here in the morning to help with breakfast. He gets home about 7:15am and will feed the kids breakfast while I take a shower and get ready. This is pretty new, he has only been on nights for 2 weeks. Before that I would take showers at night, without washing my hair. I always find that if I take a shower before bed I wake up with dirty feeling hair all over again. So I shower at night, and in the morning I would wash my hair in the kitchen sink, sometimes I still do. We are all trying to get used to this new schedule!

I shower at night, and set my alarm so I wake up before my son has to get up, with enough time to at least look passably decent (I do work, so I have to shower every day, LOL. :)

The night before, I lay out the kiddo's clothes, & my work clothes & accessories in the bathroom, so I can have it ready to go with the minimal amount of time.

I'm also a fan of braids/ponytails/barrette & a scrunchy and minimal makeup. Less is more (for me, in this, anyway).

I just discovered dry shampoo for days that u just have a quick rise shower.. and don't get ur hair wet.. it works wonders..or after the gym.. I use victoria secret brand b/c I had a gift certificate there.. or ulta beauty stores carry different brands.
L

start your morning off with a shower, go get a cute little haircut (not too drastic of a change though), put on some make-up and get a pair of maternity clothes that actually fit nicely. They have cheap but cute things at Target.

I do the same as you, shower after the kids are up. Put on a little show and a little snack and go get ready. I shower every day, but only do my hair nice and make-up a few days a week.

On preschool days, wake early and get ready then. Then when you drop her off, you go out with the baby and have fun with her. Or, shower after you drop her off and while little one is napping. Then go out and run errands in time to pick the child up from preschool and go out and do something fun together.

I know it's rough, and I slack a lot here too, but on days when I force myself to try, I usually feel so much better and actually accomplish things.

Why don't you make a goal to do this every other day?

Although I'm not a SAHM, I have found a system that works for me, and maybe it will work for you, too. At night after I put the kids to bed, I take a shower, wash my hair, and blow-dry it. I pick out the clothes I'm going to wear the following day and make sure everything is ready to go. Then in the morning while the kids are eating breakfast, I wash my face, brush my teeth, put on makeup, get dressed. This takes about 10 minutes (and I do wear a full face of makeup - I'm just really fast about putting it on!). Once I get the kids dressed (by the way, I also have them pick out their clothes early - for them we choose the whole week's worth of outfits on Sunday night, down to the socks and underwear), if I have a few minutes I'll do something more with my hair - touch it up with the blow dryer, etc. Then we're ready to walk out the door! I think the key is to get super organized so you're not running around trying to find something to wear, searching through the dryer to find the kids some clean underwear or matching socks, etc. ;) Also having your hair blow-dried the night before helps, if you have the sort of hair that can accommodate that. I agree with you, I always feel better when I'm pulled together.

You should get a makeover with a tutorial on a quick face. I would suggest Bobbi Brown b/c they have a more natural approach. This will give you a quick look and it will also get you excited to get your face on-new makeup is so much fun! And make sure that your lips are done-nothing brightens the face better. You can get a tinted balm if it is easier.
Figure out a way that your hair can look nice without much fussing. When my kids were little I had a style where the layers would pretty much fall into place with a minute or 2 of blowdry. Go to your hairdresser of try someone new. If you have long hair a low pony looks great.
Get your nails done-either yourself or preferably at a salon. Nice nails will always make you feel good. How I do it is put one coat on b/f bed and read for enough time to dry. And then I put the next coat in the am. Sally Hanson Salon Manicure is an awesome brand b/c you don't need a base or top coat.
Go to the mall and find a cute scarf or 2. Loft always has really nice ones IMO and they always have a sale it seems. Target has nice ones as well. The scarf will allow you to wear your jeans/leggins with a plain top and look pulled together. If you aren't sure how to wear one go to www.youllookfab. Actually-go to that site anyhow-they have several "mom on the go' formulas that will REALLY help you get some ideas. Throw on some diamond studs (fake is fine).

I shower mid morning most days. It suits my inner time table. In winter every other day is plenty. If I don't want to shower and my hair is terrible I will wash it in the kitchen sink.
A good trim by a well trained hairdresser can help you never to feel like a frump even straight out of bed.

I get up at 6 am when we don't have to leave until 8:45 am just for that reason. I too am not much of a morning person, especially as a young adult but motherhood has changed me. If you get into a routine and stick to it will get easier. I wake at 6:00 have coffee with hubby on the couch until 6:30 a.m. he gets in shower and I check email, etc. At 7:00 I am in shower. Sometimes the boys are up and I get them to watch tv or eat breakfast while I shower. There are days though that they are both fighting alot and so I have to make the 5 year old sit on the floor in the bathroom with me. I go back and forth getting breakfast for the boys and making sure my 5 year old is getting showered dressed etc and getting the 2 year old showered and dressed while I get make up on and blow dry etc.

We had to have a rule at our house, no toys in the morning only tv or coloring or getting ready. Otherwise they started running, playing loudly and getting out of control.

I'm making a chart with pictures for my 5 year old that will tell him what he needs to do every day to help him stay on track as well.

Good luck!

your post made me smile. reminds me that the grass isnt necessarily greener on the other side (i work). i frequently feel frumpy walking around with the business people downtown tho. since i only have 1 1/2 hrs in the morning w/ my kid, i dont want to spend it all on getting ready and looking nice. (i do shower every other day tho :) ) so i have two things that i recently discovered that worked for me and might help you.

First is find out what your hair wants to do and get a cut that works with that. it will depend on your hair texture...i recommend a layered bob- many hair types can work with this cut and its EASY. i just got one and i LOVE IT- it takes less than 5 mins and it actually looks like a hair style! and since i only shower every other day its like 2 for 1 :) this cut looks really good the second day with about 30 seconds of styling so i actually wear a little makeup then :)

second things is- i have gotten some time back in the evenings (also not a morning person). i have my coffee now about 1 or 2 in the afternoon- it gives me more energy in the evening and i can stay awake after my toddler goes to bed. (i was falling asleep at 8 everynight) i am pretty sensitive to caffiene, so if you're not it may not work for you, but it has made a huge difference for me being able to stay awake til 10. i can get stuff organized/done or just hang with the hubby- both of which have been a good change

can you shower while your SO is home to watch the kids in the morning? i told mine that i only take three showers a week and he better not complain about it. :)

good luck!

I often take my girls (3.5y and 18m) into the shower with me. I don't love it, but that's how it works best when we need to be somewhere. When we don't need to be anywhere in the morning, I let them play in the bathtub while I shower (they're not attached) and there's a clear glass wall that I can monitor them at all times.

Nap time!!! Or maybe quiet time for your older one. I use it to workout and then shower. The kids also sometimes follow me into the bathroom and play with their bath toys on the floor or in the sink while I shower - often times I end up singing with them through my shower (twinkle, twinkle, and wheels on the bus). What about "getting ready" while your older one is at preschool. As far as being tired at night, try taking a vitamin B supplement if you aren't already. It's amazing the difference in my energy level when I take some B in the afternoon. I can go all the way to evening without the slump. And don't feel bad about doing makeup in the car - that's the only place I have ever put my makeup on. I'm not even sure I would know how to do it in the house:-) Get some body spray or perfume to spritz on yourself before leaving the house and you should be good to go.