It might be a stretch to compare a stint in rehab, a DUI, or a shoplifting conviction to the transition into motherhood. But stay with me for a sec. When I saw a recent New York Times story about the slew of starlets trying to retouch their bad girl images by appearing on the covers of glossy fashion magazines, I had a Well Mom fantasy.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if a new mom, when she finally comes up for air after months of sleep deprivation and shell shock, could announce to the world that she’s back and better than ever?
Forget jail time. Having a baby is probably one of the most life transforming events a person can weather. It takes a toll on us physically, mentally, and emotionally. I think it might help to smooth the big transition to motherhood if more people acknowledged that number one: there is a pretty major transition, and number two: that, with time, you do finally start to feel more comfortable in your new skin and confident to reintroduce yourself to the world. In essence, for the mom of young children to be able say to everyone out there, “Hey, I’ve been through something momentous. But I am ready to re-engage.”
These days we all expect that every celebrity mom will be given her due once she has shed the baby weight and the fog of new parenthood. Think Trista Sutter. I’m sure we are just days away from J. Lo’s coming out. And we all know she’ll look amazing and fresh thanks to a corps of nannies, trainers, nutritionists, and stylists. For a diva, the debut after baby (or rehab) is all about telling the world that she is healthy, relaxed, and ready for that close-up. But wouldn’t it be great if every newish mom could make her own declaration of victory and be treated to a comeback worthy of J. Lo ... or even Nicole Richie or Tori Spelling, for that matter?
What I am saying is that, even if you aren’t a star and don’t have a publicist on retainer, there is no reason not to set a goal for the time you will be ready to face the world. The comeback doesn’t have to be on the cover of Vogue. Maybe it is as simple as envisioning what things will be like when you go to your first cocktail party (sans nursing bra and comfortable shoes), or attend a reunion with friends or run a 10K (sans baby).
