I was totally “that mom”

nasty food court chinese food (phone pic)

Tonight I was totally that mom.

Apparently someone woke up on the wrong side of the crib after nap time today and so we had an… interesting afternoon.

By 5:00pm I was over it and knew we needed to leave. the. house. immediately.

I had no plan.

I just got in the car and started driving. Driving away.

Since it had been raining most of the day I decided to take the boys to the mall. At least I could let Levi run around a little.

I was wearing a nursing tank and yoga pants. My hair was in a french braid that I did this morning for practicality, not one that I would ever intend to wear in public – hello 1988. (And no, it wasn’t a cool bo-ho looking one that you’d see plastered all over Pinterest at the moment.)

And to complete this picture: no make-up, flip-flops, and bags—no, suitcases—under my eyes.

What a sight.

(Side note: I saw at least 15 people I know there – I am so not exaggerating.)

As soon as we got to the mall Levi wanted to hold my hand. (Well done son, but don’t you know you need to run a little this time? You have my permission. Please? Run just a little?)

Judah fell asleep in the Ergo and I had some unexpected retail therapy. (Hello Target home sale.)

Since ours is all but broken, I bought a new microwave for 50% off.

Actually, I didn’t buy it. I put it on lay-away. (Many reasons for that, but mostly because it was too big and heavy for me to bother getting into the car and home by myself.)

We then went and ate yummy (disgusting) Chinese food at the food court.

Classy.

And then, as all sane women would do, I went grocery shopping. With both kids. At an hour past bedtime.

Poor choices, anyone?

But I was desperate.

Desperate to be out in the real world with distracted kids who were remarkably ANGELS the moment we set foot out of the house. (Seriously, Levi was so cute and sweet and adorable and good-mannered. I fell in love with him all over again. *sigh*)

No doubt I appeared a little, um… trashy?

Completely undone. No doubt looking as if I have close to zero self-respect whatsoever. And two babies out past bedtime. (Thank God I at least had the forethought to put shoes on Levi before we left the house. I seriously almost skipped it.)

But yup, that was me – a sight to behold.

I was “that mom” and for a brief moment I wondered what other people thought of me as they saw me in all my mess. (I thought I was doing okay at managing but one lady did say, “It gets easier” with a warm, empathetic smile as I was going through the check-out at Woolies. Apparently she was reading between the lines.)

We made it home and into bed with the help of a friend I called from the parking lot. (“Can you come help with bedtime?” I pleaded.)

Up to this point I’ve been doing ok single-moming it for the week. (Not supermoming it mind you, but doing fine nonetheless.) Tonight, however, was just a little bit silly…. A little bit harebrained.

But you know, just as I was about to reach it (the end of my rope), that’s when the grace showed up… in the form of my angel children and my quick-to-say-yes friend.

Moral of the story? Get out of the house if it’s all getting a bit much. Ask for help when you need it. Pick nice friends. And don’t judge “that mom”… cuz you just might be her one day.

Ok, four morals.

Dear friends, have you ever been “that mom”? If you need a little giggle today, this might help.

P.S. Maybe just a little disclaimer here… I’m also not one of “those moms” who have to look perfect before I leave the house. Far from it! I often go make-up-less, wear yoga pants, or have funky hair. I just try not to do all of those things all at once. hee hee. I think it was the 80’s french braid and kids up past bedtime at the MALL that sent me over the edge tonight. 🙂 Just sayin.