Since going to see the film ‘Bad Moms’ I’ve been thinking about which stereotype of the mums I most relate to. Stay at Home Mum; Working Mum; Single Mum; Yummy Mummy etc etc. I’ve decided none of them sound quite right for me. So how about a new one… The Tapas Mum.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve never ‘wanted it all’ as the phrase goes to describe those who want a perfect family, great career and to be a permanent Goddess in the bedroom and the kitchen. I’ve never quite believed in that!
I do like the idea of having just a taste of each though. A little bit of everything. Like choosing a few small Tapas plates, instead of a massive portion of one meal.
For example:
- I don’t need to be a high-flying, top of my organisation, cracking-through-the-glass-ceiling, role model career woman.
But I do want a job that I enjoy and that I feel I’m pretty good at. - I don’t need to be perfectly turned out in full make-up and 4 inch heels whenever I leave the house.
But I do want to feel good when I go out to nice places. - I don’t need a perfectly presented show home and a manicured lawn.
But I do like to be able to relax in the evenings without spearing my bum on a pile of toys or yogurt-smeared cushions. - I don’t expect to have weekly meet ups with my girls for cocktails, dinner and dancing.
But I do enjoy the occasional chance to get together with a friend or two for a brew or a shit-load of wine. - I don’t need a pre-planned date night and a massive bunch of flowers delivered on a whim.
But I do appreciate the times we get to go out and be a couple in a kid-free / no judgement, adult environment. - I don’t expect my kid to be an Olympic-level athlete, mastermind of science or musical prodigy.
But I do want him to have nice manners, have enough confidence to have a go at stuff and laugh a lot. - I am never EVER going to be Nigella Lawson, in cooking skills or body confidence.
But I will occasionally make a nice family meal that tastes half decent and give my husband a snog by the sink. Sexy! - I most certainly don’t bake delicious pastries for the school summer fayre.
But I do show up, donate a load of supermarket-bought chocolate for the tombola, and happily hand over every coin in my purse for the lucky dip. I even buy and eat the cakes that other people have made (that’s really not a chore, I really love the school fayre!)
Being a Tapas Mum is pretty great. So what do you say… can we create a new stereotype?
(This post was also shared on SelfishMother.com)
Unbalanced Woman 