Back at the Ranch
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We all see celebrity moms on the covers of magazines looking like a million and one bucks. Their hair is styled in a way that appears like it wasn’t styled at all. They always look well-rested and they’re usually dressed in white (yeah, because that’s a practical color to wear when you have kids).
Twisting the knife even more, these women are always photographed in their perfectly ordered living rooms, so-chic nurseries and pristine kitchens. The epitome of serenity and just what parenting is all about, right?
But what I’d fork money over to see is the “meanwhile, back at the ranch,” moment. When the photographer with her backlights and soft-focus lenses are long gone, and the hair and make-up team, with their magical products, have called it a day. Ditto for the stylist and the nanny who kept the kids corralled between takes.
What would be happening at the ranch now? The same stuff we have going on in our little ranches: the youngins are about to blow a gasket because they don’t want to get ready for bed, Cheerios litter the kitchen floor so crossing the room is like traveling through a mine field, and now things are starting to smell like a barn with junior kicking back in a ripe diaper.
Now take a look at that perfectly coiffed celeb. My bet is that she looks like the rest of us: a blue-plate special of death warmed over with a side of “I haven’t gotten a good night’s rest since Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey were hitched.”
But hey, who can blame anyone for wanting beautiful pictures of themselves with their kids? It would just take the edge off if we could see the “before and after” shots. I don’t know about you, but those magazine images of what motherhood should look and feel like are seared into my mind. When I hold myself up against those standards, I nearly always end up feeling like I’m falling flat.
After my first child was born it was like the user manual for my life went through a shredder. The intense responsibilities of being a new parent were so overwhelming and started to weigh me down. I knew if I didn’t come up with some strategies to manage the day-to-day challenges, I wasn’t going to feel good about myself or be the best parent I could be.
Enter Back at the Ranch. This blog will provide the little nuggets that I’ve gathered since I first started riding that bucking bronco known as motherhood. It will help you stay on your A-game without feeling like you need to be living up to a picture-perfect ideal of what motherhood should be. While this won’t be the spot to learn how to keep your home immaculate, it will be a place to pick up some ideas on how to keep the monsoon of toys at bay.
Topics in the coming months include:
• Essentials to help with the transition home after you’ve delivered your baby
• How to keep the stress levels low on playdates
• Strategies to help your child adjust to a new sibling
• Great birthday party gift ideas that are personal, quick to nab, and easy on your
wallet
• Ways to create some quality time with your partner (half-passed out on the couch after a long day doesn’t count, ladies!)
It’s a true pleasure to join the talented team of Mommybites Boston and I look forward to both sharing my experiences and learning from all of you.
Welcome to the Ranch!
Jean Stehle (pronounced ‘steel’) is a mother of two young children. A former teacher, she tutors elementary through high school students and just wrote her first novel for children. She lives in Waltham where, when she’s not doing laundry, folding laundry, or putting laundry away, she’s wondering why she ever thought she was tired before she had kids. More at: www.facebook.com/jeanstehle.writer and @JeanStehle
- Source:
- Boston Support Education Resources Connections for Moms
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- Title:
- Back at the Ranch
I can tell that I am going to thoroughly enjoy reading your articles and advice on motherhood. Congrats on your first article Jean! You had me laughing out loud
So happy to see a modern day Erma Bombeck commiserating with wit & wisdom. How about tips for grandparents?
Thanks for the comment, Norma. An article about how grandparents can fit into the equation of today’s parenting is in the works. More to come.
Sounds fantastic. I can’t wait to hear about how to transition once you bring the baby home. It’s been nearly 9 months and I’m still dealing with that one!
-Laura
It WILL get easier, Laura. I promise. That first year is just intense. It’s a huge life adjustment for you and your partner and, unfortunately, it only makes sense that it takes time to get your bearings. Think about where you were at and how you were feeling when your little one was an infant and now think about how much more confident you are now! That one year mark is just round the corner and crossing that threshold is going to feel great. Everything somehow seems more manageable once you hit 1.
Great article, Jean! Well said
I look forward to reading more from you. Congratulations!!
This was a very entertaining read! Louv how you called out celeb mom’s!!
Thanks, Kylea! I hear you about the frustration of having to compare ourselves to celeb moms! It’s a tough one. Do the celebs bring this on? The media? Check out this interesting piece in the New York Times by former US Magazine editor about the pressure she says celeb moms are under. I’d love to hear from moms on this one! http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/fashion/in-celebrity-climate-from-bump-to-paunch-pudgy-moms-cant-get-a-break.html?pagewanted=all
Congratulations! What a fun read!
nice intro Jean! look forward to hearing more, even though the really tough days of the toddler parenting years are long gone here…
In addition to your strategies on planning ahead various activities with the children, your sense of humor and ability to make a possibly tense scenario enjoyable is what I am looking forward to reading in your next blog.
Well done Jean! Sounds like someone needs to help with the laundry. I’ll get to work on that;)
Sam, send me your address and I’ll send you a ten pound bundle of soiled clothing. Can’t believe I’m already receiving perks from this blog.
Congrats Cousin Jean! What a great idea. I will be reading it even though my children are old and no grandchildren either.
Cousin Lenore xo
Thanks, Lenore! Very excited to have the word spread throughout the Windy City!
Fellow readers… I think we are in for a treat. She’s “jeanius”! I’ve been waiting to hear how you handle it all mama! Looking forward….
XO
Looking forward to these bites – especially since when mothers – celebrities or not, let their guard down they will admit that we don’t have it all together and yet we feel like we’re sometimes the only one who has dealt with “(un)joyful moments of motherhood”! Is that misery loving company or more like safety in numbers??? Anyway…keep the support coming!
Spot on! I look forward to reading more. As the parent of teens, I can assure you it doesn’t get any easier. Jean’s remarks are a breath of fresh air (and humor) on the reality we all live with, whatever the age of our children.
I became a grandma two days ago, and know that my bleary eyed daughter and hubbie are going to get great advice, along with some laughter and tears!
Your writing is fresh and fun! Congrats to you Mama Jean. I look forward to many more online moments from you
I love the attitude, and the advice. It’s a great introduction to your blog, and I am looking forward to reading more.