Introduction

What is a Slummy Mummy you ask? After I had my first a few years ago I read the book Slummy Mummy by Fiona Niell while on maternity leave. It is a fluff book, but made me laugh as a harried first time mom. I tried to encompass being the modern day working Mum, but never quite get it right. So I found my calling…the Slummy Mummy.

In her article Hooray for Slummy Mummies (13th October) Turner describes the Slummy Mummy:

“She’s the mother whose children arrive at school wearing odd socks and with their swimming kit still sitting on the kitchen table. Her home totters uncertainly between shabby chic and just plain shabby... When she gets back from the school run, she thinks about doing some yoga, but she puts the telly on instead. Slummy Mummy does not shirk her maternal responsibilities, although she is liable to take a few short cuts for the sake of her own sanity... She is human and fallible and, most importantly, likeable.”

I think that pretty much sums up my life. I am always one step behind and try hard to be that modern day June Cleaver all while having perfectly dressed children and a rewarding career. The reality is never quite like that.

The other morning I decided to brave the pediatrician's office with both children for their 9 month and 3 year checkups. When I get my eldest out of the car she has pulled her barrette out of her hair and was insisting on bringing her Valentine's day mailbox in with her. We make it into the office and standing in the waiting room is the antithesis of the slummy mummy, the yummy mummy. She is perfectly dressed in her designer jeans and looking like she just spent an hour at the salon. Her precious girl doesn't have a hair out of place and is secured in her Ergo carrier (my 9 month old likes to just rub his snot on me when we try to place him in his). Meanwhile my 3 year old has dumped her cards all over the floor and my 9 month old has started to fuss.

Strangely, I love to decorate. I could spend hours looking at pretty pictures on Pinterest or House Beautiful. I check Craigslist daily for cute furniture to repaint, sadly it sits in the garage still awaiting my attention. So there you have it my inspiration for starting a blog.