Something a mom would understand…

Yesterday I did something that I haven’t done in a long time. A very, very long time.

I closed my computer. Turned off my cell phone. Put away my paperwork.

And took William (my oldest son) out for the afternoon. Just the two of us.

It was awful weather-wise here yesterday, so we drove to a local mall and just walked around. We went to Old Navy (*where they are having an amazing sale – 50% off the lowest price) and I bought him a bunch of clothes for next year. Honestly – you can’t go wrong with letting your son pick out anything on the rack… there was nothing over $5! He had a blast picking out his own “big boy” clothes… even grabbing a few items for his brothers just so “they won’t be sad, Mommy.”

Then we went to one of our favorite ice cream places – Newport Creamery. We sat and talked all about his day and his best friends and his favorite colors and why he likes chocolate ice cream over vanilla. We drew on the paper placemats. We played “I Spy…” And he asked me to write some words down to see if I could start teaching him how to read (apparently all the “cool” kids at his preschool are doing it… !).

Work has been so busy lately — which is a good thing, a very good thing. But one thing that is different about working “online” in this social media world… there is never a “closed” time. Someone is always out there… and it’s the beauty of social media. But there are times when I have to and need to pull back and be “Mom.” Just MOM. Not MOM with the laptop. Not MOM with the cell phone. Not MOM with the notebooks and papers in the office.

Just MOM. The woman who 5 years ago prayed every single night for a healthy, beautiful baby to be sent to me. The woman who always dreamed of becoming a mother. Me, MOM.

I work for my boys. I want them to be proud of me. And see me create something useful and informative and fun. They watch me make my videos and whisper, “Oh, be quiet… Mommy’s doing a video for her blog.” And I crack up.. because on some level they “get” it.

But there are times… when just being MOM is all that the 4 little boys call for. And I named this post, “Something a mom would understand…” because that is truly it. Regardless of what job you do… if you’re a teacher, in sales, in PR/MKTG, a lawyer, a doctor, an entertainer, an accountant, a business owner, a designer, a writer… whatever it is that you have decided to do as your passion or for your living… at the end of the day, when we walk through that door – we’re MOM. All of us mothers. And sometimes our work – regardless if you have a burning passion for what you do or not, just needs to be… well, just that – work.

Now on to Day #29 – Fashion Advice for Moms:

I got a GREAT email yesterday asking my opinion on capris – the “emailer” will rename nameless because I didn’t get a chance to ask her if I could post this publicly with her name… and I don’t want to “out” her if she doesn’t want to be “outed”!…

But the email asked my opinion on capris because Tim Gunn said capris should be burned.

I laughed at this because I truly am a Tim Gunn LOVER! I think he’s fabulous and has some amazing fashion sense and advice.

But… burn capris?

Really? Is he serious?

This is my opinion as to why NOT to burn capris. I have 3 reasons:

1) Capris are such a great option to wear in the summer if you are not comfortable wearing shorts.
I, for one, hate wearing shorts… capris are my “thing” in the summer.

2) Capris truly are amazingly versatile. You CAN wear capris “off” spring/summer months if you pair them with some really fabulous boots. It’s a wonderful option for women. And a great way to extend your wardrobe.

3) The beauty of capris is that you can get them in so many different fabrics and so many different styles. Capris can truly be dressed up, dressed down, worn with flats or flip flops or clogs… and even heels and boots. And women of all shapes and heights and sizes can find capris that fit. For mothers, it’s an easy piece. We are constantly picking things up, cleaning up messes, holding our children, driving here and there… capris are easy-wear for us. I live in my dark green cargo capris all spring/summer… go ahead, ask anyone who sees me all summer! 🙂

So put away those matches. Join the Capri revolution!

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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19 Comments

  1. 1.29.09
    Katja said:

    So sweet you had a day out just two of you!

  2. 1.29.09

    Great post – I think I need to do the same more often. There’s definitely a delicate balance that’s difficult to maintain. Thanks for sharing so honestly!

  3. 1.29.09

    First of all–so glad to hear I don’t have to give up my capris! I’m *so* not a shorts wearer.

    Second–your day sounds like it was just heavenly! I have to admit that not only does it sound like a great time, but I am a wee bit envious. As you know my kids are special needs and I can’t sit and have conversations like that with them. They just don’t do that. I can, however, have the shopping moments, the sitting quietly just the two of us moments, and the “mom took the time to be with just me and not work” moments.

    Thanks for the reminder that there *is* a reason we are doing all this, after all.

    xoxo

  4. 1.29.09
    Candice said:

    What a great post! I so identify. I find myself telling my daughter so often … just a minute I need to reply to this email or give me a minute I just need to save this document. And of course the minute is never just a minute but more like 10 or 15 minutes! I need to take your advice and just step away from the laptop and switch off the Blackberry.

  5. 1.29.09

    I really need to do that one of these days — turn off the work and be with the kids. I was thinking about that just this morning, actually.

    As far as capris, I’m not in the burn them camp, and yet I do think they can be very frumpy. I have not bought any new ones lately b/c I feel like they are almost another version of the mom jeans we all detest.

    As with anything, it all depends on how you wear them and what you wear them with. I think dressy slacks are more flattering and more elegant than dressy capris. So I opt for slacks in my summer dress clothes.

    But as a shorts-alternative, they are great. I have some denim capri-length Joe’s Jeans that I wore all last summer that I love and adore. I’m also trying to wear more casual skirts in the summer.

    I am so totally enjoying your 365 days of fashion tips!!! Keep ’em coming! 🙂

  6. 1.29.09

    Great post. I get caught up in my own blog, others blogs that before I know it hours have gone by. My kids know where to find me – in the computer room. This is a great reminder of who we are – Moms.

    As for capris, I’ve worn them in the past but have shied away from them after reading that short people shouldn’t wear them. I guess I’ll start bringing them back.

  7. 1.29.09
    cathy said:

    Audrey, glad you enjoyed the day! I, too did a similar thing today with my 14 yr old daughter. I took her to lunch after her ortho appointment! ((She only missed 1/2 of a geography class and her own lunch period. It was necessary as sometimes I — and even my husband) wonder if she’s getting pushed aside since our son is heading to college in the fall… he’s been taking center stage lately. Not in my today’s plan the but the change was very nice!

    As for capri’s – well I am 4 ’11” and I have to say I have a lot of capri’s – perfect for Denver’s unpredictable spring/ summers but there are times I like them on me and times I don’t. Wearing a higher heel definitely helps!

  8. 1.29.09

    I completely agree. At the end of my loooong day, I walk into the Trenches, fully ready (and excited) to just be MOM.

  9. 1.29.09
    april said:

    Hey Audrey, Love your blog! I, too, love having that special bonding time with my kids one-on-one. What a blessing!

    As far as capris, I am short like you (I’m 5’1″), so I have to be careful my legs look truncated. I’ve heard Tim Gunn say that and Stacey and Clinton. The worst for me is cropped pants…lol. For me, capris look best with a cute heeled sandal.

  10. 1.29.09
    ursula said:

    Loved your post! I, too, don’t want to miss these days of bonding with my boys….in no time, they will be bounding up the stairs with barely a word said to me…..yikes, maybe that moody adolescent stage will skip this house? And I left the shorts behind a few years ago – – I’m all about skirts in the summer now, but I won’t rule out capris either.

  11. 1.29.09
    Maria said:

    That sounds lovely.

    This morning my two-year-old said “Mama, get off the PHONE!” Broke my heart.

  12. 1.29.09
    dizzymum said:

    So true. I try to do this with my kids too, but never get to do it often enough. They just flourish when they have special Mumma time, and it reminds me that above all, that’s what kid’s really want from us – our time and our attention. Guess what I’ll be doing this weekend?

  13. 1.29.09
    Jessica said:

    Fantastic post!!! I SO needed to read this today. I have been feeling a little bit out of touch today and you’ve given me the inspiration to just close the laptop and get on with my #1 responsibility and joy!

    I am a love of capri’s. As a 6′ tall woman, sometimes it is hard to find jeans or slacks that are long enough. It is nice to have the option of mid-calf!

  14. 1.29.09

    Yes, I so know what you mean!! I am making a point to do this more and more to hopefully phase my online world back to the part of my life it should be- not before my kids. It’s so hard! But I need it this way! They are growing up too fast.

    Steph

  15. 1.29.09
    Jendi said:

    So true! I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when my girls play house and update their pretend blogs.

  16. 1.30.09

    I’m so glad you got to go out with your little boy. What a wonderful way to spend the day, and it happens so rarely, I know. We all struggle with the balance of it all, but you took a step toward change. You’ve inspired me. Thank you.

    And I love my capris. I have too many of them to even consider burning them.

  17. 1.31.09

    My heart is so warm now. We need special time with each of our kids. But especially the oldest ones. They get lost in the shuffle a bit too much.

    :–) Nell
    CasualFridayEveryday.com
    Twitter.com/casualeveryday

  18. 2.1.09
    Melany said:

    So glad you had a special day with him. I too sometimes try to do that. Just close the laptop and ignore messages coming through on my cellphone

  19. 2.13.09
    Mary said:

    I just wanted you to know that this post si why I love blogs so much.

    I read it over a week ago, but have thought about it every. single.day since then. I’m not trying to be overly dramatic but you really have changed our home over the past few weeks by posting this simple reminder to be “mom”.

    My kids have all been sick, so I”ve been able to snuggle, read books and completely ignore the fact that we haven’t been out of pajamas since monday..we have more important things to be doing,like being a family 🙂

    Thank you for all of your support to us mom’s. I really feel like you are right there in the trenches with us!

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