Fashion Rehab: A Prep Course for Motherhood?

My darling daughter, enjoying
the sweet life
on the merry-go-round

I recently celebrated my fourth year as a mother. Four years, people, four whole years! Among the sweet and (sometimes) hilarious moments of raising children I must confess that this motherhood thing still has me all shook up. Before becoming a mother I never actually thought about what it would mean to be a mother. Or how much it would completely transform my life. I knew it would be hard(ish) but after 1474 days of doing it I am still shocked at how much work it is to raise a family. The biggest shocker? My needs (or wants) are at the bottom of the hierarchy. My two girls are so darling, so funny, so entertaining, but SO unbelievably exhausting and naturally very needy. But they have to be. They don't have a choice. They are children. So what does this have to with Fashion Rehab? Well, everything.

I spent one whole year not shopping. That year I mastered the art of patience and selflessness. At the time I only had one bambino and she didn't seem very threatening. She demanded a lot of my time, but didn't appear to need much else. I thought after my year of penance I would be free to shop, browse, indulge, and would ease back gracefully into the life I once knew and loved. Sadly I was so wrong! It turns out that as children get older their (financial) needs become greater. Now I am paying for preschool and there is many a mouth to feed. What a hard pill to swallow for this material girl!
There is still nothing more exciting to me than the Nordstrom anniversary sale (going on now- gulp) or a deeply discounted Rebecca Minkoff bag on Gilt. Two years later and I am still shopping in my closet, day in and day out. Trying to make old new and new newer. I am thankful for all that I learned during FR but frankly I am looking forward to a time when it is less about the kiddies and more about me. Selfish? You bet. Realistic? Definitely.

Love, A

P.S. For those of you not bound by any financial constraints (lucky you) there are still other ways that motherhood draws a parallel to Fashion Rehab. Everything must be done in moderation or put on hold until your children get older. Working out three times a week can turn into a bi-weekly event, alcohol consumption must be drastically reduced (someone has to get up with the kids), your social calendar takes a major hit, and traveling anywhere but to see family is pretty much null and void. The list goes on and on and on. Don't be afraid to tell me what I missed in this post, and most importantly don't say I didn't warn you!