I was pregnant with my beautiful bundle of joy at age 22.
When he was born, I had just turned 23 years old.
The world into parenthood is very beautiful,
but it leads a lot of people thinking that because you're a parent you
should be defined by that and nothing else.
It's almost as if your entire identity becomes "The Mom" and that's it.
I've done what I feel a lot of Mother's don't do, and that is that I've held on to my identity.
I've always loved fashion and clothing, so often times you'll catch me in heels, form fitting dresses,
and a lot of other clothing that compliments my physique.
I realize it's fantastic being a parent but that isn't ALL that I am.
I am STILL me.
We try so hard to be a great parent that often times, it becomes the norm to forget about ourselves.
What do we like to do?
What do we like to wear?
When was the last time we did something without our little one attached to us?
When you neglect yourself, you forget who you are.
That often shows in the way you present yourself to others.
When I don't have my little one attached to my hip, people often seem shocked when I state that I am a parent.
"You don't look like a Mom", this is all I ever hear from others.
At first, I thought it was because I could pass for several years younger than my age,
but then when I asked someone to elaborate on what they meant they told me,
that I look well put together and fresh.
What is the misconception about Mothers?
Do they usually just give up on their appearance after baring children?
I thought deeply about what the person had meant, that said this to me.
I realized there's a reason why that stereotype is around.
Stereotypes aren't true for all, but are based on a high number of what is usually seen in society.
In other words, they are keen observations made by many that hold truth to a significant amount of people.
There are a lot of Mothers who stopped caring about their appearance after they had their child.
Who knows, perhaps they never even cared to begin with.
Maybe they were that way before they ever had children.
Most of the time, when I am in a setting with other Mothers,
I am surrounded by women with frumpy clothing, unkempt hair, and overly stressed
faces.
Even those that try to look decent, still seem to have the world's weight on their shoulders.
You can just see in their faces that they are a parent, even if they are by themselves.
It is almost as if the "Mother stamp" has become tattooed to them.
There's so much joy, I have in being a parent.
I love watching my kid grow, I love being a part of his development.
Although, I love all of those things,
being a Mother is just one of the many things that create me as a whole.
It isn't all that I am.
I am an individual with personal interests and likes.
Mothers,
It's okay to take a time out for yourself.
It's important to remember who you are, what you like,
and cater to your appearance.
You are "A Mother" not "The Mother"
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