It's Tough to Be Called a Mom These Days

At 31 and nearly six-months pregnant with my first child, my husband and I were getting ready to head to a birthday party for a close (very skinny) friend. I remember it distinctly because I actually felt somewhat attractive that night, a far cry from all those days getting ready for work and wondering if and when I was going to throw up! This attractive night I wore the only pair of non-maternity jeans that still fit me a cute black top and these great black high-heeled boots (my feet hadn't started that whole "swelling over my socks" thing just yet). My hair had been growing by leaps and bounds thanks to the prenatal vitamins and I was actually having a good hair night. I was party-ready and feeling good!

Well, that natural high ended once we got to the party. One of my husband's friends commented that my hair was getting long which I thought was a compliment until he followed it with "you're not going to get it cut and get mom-hair are you?" Mom Hair!?! Sure, I had heard the term, probably even said it a few times myself but it had never been applied to me before. So what, am I now to believe that if I get an inch off my ends someone might say I'm going for mom-hair? I was horrified that these are standards by which I would be judged from now on.

The same feelings came up again three months post baby at a barbecue with friends. My close friend and mother of a two-year old mentioned in front of another childless friend that she loved the band Nickelback. His reply to her was, "of course you do, it's mom-rock." Mom-rock? Who knew such a thing existed? Sure, I have some unusual musical tastes (my daughter and I prefer My Chemical Romance to the Wiggles), but will I forever have to hide my appreciation for anything more mainstream for fear of being labeled a "typical mom." More importantly, why do I take such offense to this categorization? Why don't I find it funny anymore when Saturday Night Live does a skit about "Mom Jeans"? Am I too sensitive or is there really a negative connotation associated with being called a mom"? Is it like being called old or fat? Some symbol that youth is no longer fleeting but has already moved on and left us far behind?