Yummy Mummies not just an Anglo phenomenon

Says Judith Warner in her NYTime Blog (sections here reprinted courtesy of the "Behind the Times" blog: 

A Yummy Mummy, in case you’re not familiar with the phrase, is the term used in Britain for moms (mums) who are soignée. Trim and fashionable, well-turned-out and groomed, equipped with the latest must-have bags and shoes, widely smiling, insouciant, skilled in home decoration, furniture restoration, competitive skiing, dressage, and …

Her posting goes on to say how she went back to France and found that they, too, were caught up in competitive parenting, and working women were over-extended and struggling to parent on a level that seems exclusive to well-to-do, stay-at-home a/k/a yummy mummies.

I really think it's time we all decided to bag the "yummy mummy" ideals, and acknowledge that the true parenting norm is more along the "slummy mummy" lines (to use the name of one of Britain's most popular chick lit novels, which I'm waiting for my chance to read!)

Comments

[Barbara Payne, of SWWAN.org]

I hear you. My single-working-mom daughter is one of those stretching for the yummy-mummy thing. I pray for her--and of course help her out as much as I can, seeing that I'm a single-working-grandma (whose style is definitely closer to the slummy). Keeping up with the Joneses is exhausting anyway, but when you're a single mom, it'll be a miracle if it doesn't kill you.

[Diane Danielson]

Actually Barbara - Think of it this way: one big advantage of being a single mom is that you've already been tossed off the "perfection bandwagon." I find that no one expects me to keep up with the Joneses so I don't even try and I think both my kid and I are much happier for it!

[Karly Pitman]

I, too, have refused to join the hyperparenting bandwagon. One of the best books I read on this topic was Muffy Mead Ferro's delightful book, Confessions of a Slacker Mom.

You might like to read about how I gave up my battle to be super Mom here:

http://www.firstourselves.com/first_ourselves/2007/07/silencing-the-v.html

Relaxing my expectations for my mothering, my body, and my appearance changed my life. I wish this freedom for every woman.

Best,
Karly