2.08.2013

The Outtakes...(And A Confession)

















(Some behind the scenes shots from the in-process Spring issue of D Moms)

I'm in the thick of putting together the spring issue of D Moms which means lots (and lots) of photo shoots and writing and editing and schlepping. It's good -- rewarding, inspiring, creative -- one of those times when being frantic and mildly panicked actually feels sort of, well...good.

However (you knew that was coming), it isn't without a touch of irony that during the few weeks that I'm in the thick of helping create a magazine about living a mindful, balanced life as a mother, I am anything but.

For example (and I'm not proud of what I'm about to share, but given how much we beat ourselves up as mothers, I feel the need to disclose), when we were getting the last issue off to press, there was a particular night when (in an attempt to actually see her that week) I took Audrey to the office with me at 8:00 p.m. (in all fairness, it was summer). Wait, it gets better... And we stayed until midnight(!!), during which time, while I was busy editing articles about how to inspire your family to eat beautiful, fresh, organic food and read meaningful, life-changing books, Audrey was sitting next to my desk in a giant beanbag I had dragged over from the art department, eating sour Skittles and french fries while watching a Sponge Bob Square Pants marathon on my iPad.

Don't judge. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?! Here's the thing, we're all doing the best we can to stay sane and present and, yes, balanced in this crazy work/family marathon. All of us -- the mamas that work outside the home and the mamas that volunteer at school and do side projects from home while wrangling the kiddos. I think it's a good thing to come clean and love on each other a little more, don't you think? (Or at least that's what I'm going with to offset my guilt about that fried food/bad candy/questionable TV extravaganza.)

Mamas unite.

Have a splendid weekend friends!


22 comments:

UrbanChiqueNess said...

Joslyn,
LOL...we have al been there. Went to WI last weekend for a huge Nationally ranked swim meet. Only dining option, Culvers. So we did it...two days in a row. My #eatwellfeelbetter hashtag slogan was out the window.

So, there it is out there, but not as brave as you to blog about it!

xo
E

P.S. It wasn't only my kids who indulged. I did too...burger, fries and a sundae.

P.P.S. BTW, it was delicious

Danny said...

I just fell in love with you. Bravo, kudos for sharing your perfectly imperfect self. It's so silly how we all judge ourselves and assume how everyone else does it and what is right and good and blah blah blah.

My girls love Skittles and french fries and staying up till midnight.
Awesome times.

katie//salt+pine said...

YES!
xo-k

Unknown said...

i'm in...unity is the best policy!! you keep on inspiring mama!!

Elsa May said...

I think I just fell in love with you - hooray for you and your honesty, and all the while looking stellar and hip! Have a fab weekend, Annie x
ps: picture six - is she really about to scull from the bottle...? Just thought I'd ask :)

Mary said...

Mamas unite, indeed. We all do what we have to do from time to time. Honestly, that may be one of those nights she remembers years from now as something really special and cool. You never know. Thanks for sharing!

Shelly said...

Book plane tickets now. Xo

teamaldrich said...

Kudos!

My Garden Diaries said...

I'm looking forward to the magazine and yes we need to unite! Thanks for your truths. I figure we all have the same job... Trying to make good people to put out into the world and if we support one another and get those good little people out in the world...the world will l be a better place!

Melanie said...

Best wishes on the new issue!!! =)

Ergo-Blog

Amy C said...

Glad to hear I'm not alone. Also a working mother here, though not quite as glamorous as you, lol. My girls have been spending far too much time on the ipad these days. Oops!

Leslie said...

As I remember from being a kid, some of the best times were those weird up too late, junk eating nights. As adults we just see things differently.

G said...

That's why I love your blog - honesty, humor and a life I can relate to !
Oh, and it usually makes me laugh.
My daughter spent a lot of time at my office when she was younger- but she learned from it too. Late hours, commitment, deadlines and of course, to pick a "job" you love so it is worthwhile.
(AND she ate from the snack machines & learned how to tag samples!) She looks back on it happily. whew! because at the time, it didn't feel like a "good mom" situation.


Working moms unite!
g

kateOD said...

love the truths. thanks for sharing - you sound like a fab mom. I looooved going to work with my mom as a child - she will remember that time.

Carissa Byers said...

I'll come eat sour skittles and french fries and watch Sponge Bob with Audrey any time!

Joslyn said...

Elsa May -- Yes she is about to scull from the bottle ;-) and scull might be the best word of all time!

Carissa -- it's a date ;-)

xx

la la Lovely said...

as if i couldn't like you anymore...and i do! speak the truth and mamas unite! sometimes a mom has to do what a mom has to do and guess what everyone will turn out just fine (and have some good stories to share because of it)! xo . t

Michelle said...

All you women are right! You are amazing moms and these are the rare rebellious fun times your kids will treasure, even more so because you made it possible. Like breakfast at night, movie marathons and ditching school to just be with mom. I am a soon to be mom and hope I can show my fun side effortlessly and without a second thought. And those periwinkle shoes are to die for! Source? I'm new to your blog and loving it!

Flora said...

Dear Joslyn, that makes me think of me so much!

I'll be in Florida over March + April and wish it was closer to Dallas, I would have loved to meet you for real :)
xx

Amanda said...

I do believe that some of the things we quietly tally in the failing column end up being some of their fondest memories.

Fern and Feather said...

love this.... all of it.... thank you for being honest.

Mamas unite... we have too!

Fern and Feather said...

love this... all of it... thank you for being so honest.

everyone of us has those stories and if we don't we just aren't telling.

mamas unite.