| (of a woman, clothes, etc) dowdy, drab, or unattractive
I hear "frumpy mom" used in sentences such as: *(In response to a clothing compliment)"Thanks! Don't want to be a frumpy mom!"
*"No need to look like a frumpy mom, you know?"
*"Ugh, I just feel like a frumpy mom."
It's apparently the worst of the worst. No one wants to be a frumpy mom. But my question is why? What is so, so terrible about not being up to date with the latest fashion while you are raising children? This should be the most forgiving season of life when it comes to being trendy. You are raising small human beings who poop on themselves, sling yogurt at your face, and always end up with something sticky in their hair. Why would I want to spend time putting on face foundation when my toddler is going to wipe with banana fingers on my cheek? Or wear an adorable shirt when it's guaranteed my little boy will want to be picked up when he is filthy from playing outside? Or wear heels when I am chasing around a tiny person all. day. long.?
This past weekend we were waiting to be seated at a restaurant and I was observing the crowd around me. With this "frumpy" subject on my mind, I spotted a women who would most likely be labeled with the Frump Card. I watched her interact with her family and friends and guess what? She was confident, seemingly satisfied, and most importantly showed love and affection to her children who were sitting with her. I'm pretty sure she was not about to fall off the face of the earth because of her "dowdy, drab, or unattractive" outfit. It seemed as if her ability as a mom was not crumbling due to her clothes. I'm not sure what women think will happen if they become "frumpy". Maybe they will transform into an alien with three more sets of arms (which would actually be a miraculous asset in raising multiple children). Or better yet, maybe they will curl up in a permanent ball and only be able to somersault wherever they want to go. Or who knows, maybe frumpy moms wake up with a tattoo covering their entire body saying "I will never be as good of a mom as you because your garments are better than mine"... in greek, because that's trendy these days.
I am not saying I do not struggle with wanting to look cute. I do. Way more so than I wish to admit. But I do not want to live in fear of this lurking invisible monster that eats your fashionable wardrobe and turns you into the dreaded "frumpy mom". That monster is not real. However, I kind of wish that monster existed simply to give us all a reality check of what is important. I am not saying we should all strive for frump, but maybe we should become a little less concerned with whether we are frumpy moms or not.
So here is my tribute to those moms who care more about other things than their clothes.
Thank you for setting an example that outfits don't matter, fashion fades, and time is better spent with people than in front of the mirror or digging through your closet. Thank you for showing me that lacking in the cute department does not mean you are neglecting yourself as a woman and as a mom... I am pretty sure you still brush your teeth and wash your armpits. Thank you for finding your confidence elsewhere that appearance. Even if you don't realize you are not in fashion because you are completely oblivious to societal trends, that's a rare gem that would benefit us all. |
