What’s a Hot Mama

As written by Teddi B, founder of Hot Mamas …

A Hot Mama hasn’t lost her zest for life just because she became a mom. A Hot Mama is balanced, learns how to spend time with family/ friends, go on playdates and attend school events, take care of business, and still have time for herself . . . without the guilt.

When you first become a mom, you only have the example of your mom and how she handled everything (which I’m sure was exemplary). But, I think as a new mom, we try to be all of these things that we THINK we should be as a mom. Instead, I believe we should each define our own motherhood and what it looks like. Just as we are all unique, so is our way of doing things.

I see so many moms, burdened by expectations that they place on themselves and what they think they should do. So what if you don’t have time to make the birthday cake this year, go buy one. If this gives you more time with family to enjoy the birthday party, then the store-bought cake wins. Of course we’d all like to be the perfect Martha Stewart mom, but we aren’t. Yet we still beat ourselves up for it.

As a mom, you do what works for you. It’s always a work in progress, trying to figure out how to make your life run more smoothly. Finding time to be with your spouse and friends, takes planning ahead. Getting a babysitter . . . not an easy task. Ask around, go through a local agency, share with a friend. But, by all means, find one. Back in the old days, when families lived together, there was always someone around to help out. These days, we’ve all moved apart and have no support system. You have to create your own. If you aren’t comfortable with a sitter, trade nights with a girlfriend: you take her child for an evening, and then she takes yours one evening. Be creative.

As if you didn’t have enough to juggle already, a Hot Mama also finds time for herself. For some women, yoga is her respite and her answer to a tight tush. Other women revel in the adrenaline of a butt-kicking boot-camp and the muscles that come with it. No matter what the mode, Hot Mamas take care of their bodies. Period. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you can’t take care of your family the way you should. Not only do you need to be phyisically strong and fit as a mom, you also need an emotional release to keep you sane. Wine doesn’t cut it. Figure out how to squeeze in a workout at least 4 times a week.

A Hot Mama keeps herself together. A Hot Mama requires maintenance. Hair, nails, waxing, clothing that doesn’t have spit up stains all over it, and clothing that fits. Once that baby arrives, it is time for YOU to arrive. If you are overwelmed by doing hair every day, then find a hairstyle that doesn’t look like you’ve given up — but maybe something that is easy (like super short and stylish, or long so you can pull it back in a cute bun or ponytail) But please don’t do the hairclip flip — you know what I’m talking about and it is so tired. Get some cute hats, headbands and scarves. Play a little and find the look that is unique for you and says that you care what you look like. Nails are not a big deal either — keep them groomed. If you need to, get a manicure once a week. But your hands should look nice. Wax, wax, wax. Need I say more? Not only does it make you feel sexy, it will stoke the fires at home. Clothing . . . first of all get rid of the pregnancy clothes. Do not put those on again unless you are pregnant again. You may not be back into your size 4 clothes yet, but you are not going to feel good about yourself wearing the clothes you wore for the past 6 months. Get yourself to the Gap (or some place where you can get some cute stylish clothes that aren’t a fortune) and get some pieces that will make you feel good about how you look. Who cares if they are bigger than what you want to be — it’s who you are right now and those clothes will be too big for you soon enough.

Being a Hot Mama takes some planning and a little work. But nothing is more satisfying than being able to take care of yourself and the benefits of that are a happy family, a fun social life and a fulfilling existance as the women that you want to be!