No one told me parenting would involve so much sitting on the floor.
There have been a number of stories in the news this week and last week about the current experience plight of parents of young children. Definitely not enough discussion about how impossible the past 2 years have been for this group, but some. With the Omicron surge, parents have been thrown back into the early days of the pandemic where we locked ourselves at home (either because we didn’t know what else to do or because we found ourselves unceremoniously without childcare) and tried to figure out how to work, leave our homes as little as possible and also keep small human(s) alive and happy. Except in March 2020 we hadn’t been doing it for nearly 24 straight months and our stamina was way higher.
I’m tremendously fortunate that we have a full-time nanny for my children so even when my son’s preschool program is closed or he is unable to go, we have a backup plan. I will say though, that the need for an extremely reliable plan in place (that could carry us through sick days, snow days, potential COVID exposures, etc.) is a major part of the reason why we have the childcare arrangement that we do. Since the beginning of December, almost every parent I know has had a child home unexpectedly. Many for at least a full 10 days due to a known or suspected COVID exposure of some kind. My mom friend text chain is all of us sharing our current woes and how we are faring through it. And all of it has me thinking a lot about being a parent to young kids and how freakin’ hard it is!
I was woefully unprepared for the newborn stage, and I often feel I didn’t adequately share with the friends who had kids after me so that they would be more prepared than I was, but I think it’s because I was still processing. It’s only now, after going through it twice, that I can think back on it and provide any advice or clarity. But also, I was (I am!) woefully unprepared for the challenges of parenting toddlers. I have heard the phrase “the days are long but the years are short” a million times, and I often try to keep that in mind when I am playing mundane games with my kids and I look at the clock and it’s only been 1 minute since I last checked. But man. the days are long! Winter + pandemic with unvaccinated children makes it extra long. Doing it for a second time makes it extra, extra long!
Thus. I find myself sitting on the floor. A lot. Playing cars, trucks, magnatiles, doing puzzles, reading books, using myself as a physical barrier between my 3 year-old and my 1 year old when the baby goes after a toy the toddler doesn’t want her to play with, or when the baby goes after the toddler’s hair, the list goes on. Our house is small, and we don’t have a designated “play room,” but rather have integrated toy storage into our living and dining room. AKA, my kids play wherever the F they want and we just deal with it. So we will sit in both/any of the rooms, or crawl back and forth from various toy setups. Sometimes, if I am extra tired, I will lie on the floor and let them play around me. This usually translates into both of them playing directly on top of me and my role as a physical defender turns into a self-defender. Even this past summer, I spent a lot of time sitting on the ground outside as well, especially with a baby who couldn’t yet move independently and spent a lot of time sitting or lying.
And thus, we come to the clothes. Clothes that you can comfortably wear while playing on the floor with kids. Clothes like these make up a huge portion of my wardrobe because comfort is king! Nothing worse than stiff jeans poking or chafing for extended periods of time. I absolutely love straight leg, stiffer jeans with true denim, but they are not necessarily the best for this type of activity. But, I am also on a kick of feeling put together and not like I just rolled right out of bed. It makes me feel good and like myself when I take the few minutes to get dressed every morning. Especially since we also try to get out of the house for walks, trips to the playground or park or to run local errands whenever possible — wrangling a toddler and a baby into winter clothes, shoes, hats, gloves and getting them out the door is hard enough, I like to make sure I am ready enough to feel comfortable leaving the house basically at a moments notice!
Alex Mill Jumpsuit - I’m obsessed with this. Something about a one-and-done outfit is just my absolute jam (kind of like overalls, a dress, etc.) I could probably pull off wearing this into my office with the right accessories sometime in the future!
Sweaty Betty Set - This actually isn’t a jumpsuit, it’s separate pieces (joggers), but it’s along the same line. I know this is very late-spring 2020 of me, but I’m very into a matching set right now. I love how it looks together, and then added bonus that you can wear the pieces separately. This one especially is really giving me the sense of a jumpsuit with the visible drawstring and french tuck!
Rec Sneakers - These sneakers will work very hard for you. With a sweatsuit, with jeans, with shorts, with a dress. Can’t go wrong! I am a big Veja fan.
Salutation Joggers - I wear these joggers constantly. They are so soft and comfortable, but they also create a very put-together look. Great when you want something slim but not a legging!
Splits Sweatshirt - I got this sweatshirt as a travel outfit before a trip in January 2020. Sadly, that’s the last time I needed an outfit for a plane ride, but it has gotten a ton of wear since. It has a really nice sleeve length and is long enough to wear with leggings.
Cashmere Half Zip - I really love this sweater. Clearly I am very into the half-zip trend right now (maybe too into it), but I love a sweater with zipper hardware. I got this on a major discount during a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale, and it’s sold out in most sizes, but I’ve gotten a ton of wear out of it. With jeans, leggings, joggers, with a silk slip dress and a midi skirt!
La Ligne Marin Sweater - I have this thing with stripes. Especially a striped sweater! I have a striped sweater very similar to this that is several years old and I reach for it all.the.time. I’ve been eyeing the La Ligne version for awhile (honestly everything the brand does). It’s the perfect length and is so versatile. Low cost per wear on this baby.
Alo Yoga Leggings - I work out in these and I lounge in these. They are the perfect length. They are pretty high compression though, so be forewarned! Not soft like an align or Beyondyoga leggings. But sometimes you just want a little compression, you know! They look great with a tunic-y sweater (like the grey splits sweatshirt above!)
Gap Jeans - These jeans have a cult following. They look like a true 100% denim, but have just enough stretch to make them super comfortable. I don’t have this raw hem pair, (I have these, which are a great way to dabble in a ripped knee if you don’t want to spend a fortune but like the style!) but you know I love a raw hem! Don’t buy them full price, they are constantly on sale. The whole High Rise Cheeky Straight line has great reviews!
Striped Pullover- I discovered Donni through a local store in my town that carries a small selection of their loungewear. I found this via Tuckernuck, but love the brand overall and especially love this simple colorblock look.
Farm Rio Cropped Sweatshirt- This is not practical in any way shape or form, but it makes me happy. Sometimes you just want to sit on the floor and play with your kids in something that makes you smile! This would look so cute with high-waisted leggings, or the salutation high-waited joggers. Ugh, also with the Mother kick-flare jeans!
AYR Half Zip - This is the point where my desire for quarter/half-zips takes a turn towards out-of-control. I have lusted over almost everything AYR makes over the past couple years, and have yet to purchase anything. But, I love how chic this half-zip is, and the color-way just feels happy! I’ve slowly been adding more color into my otherwise neutral closet just because the colors make me happy and feel good, and even though I normally lean towards no color, I’ve been reaching for the colors more and more!
J.Crew Fleece Pullover - A classic, fleece pullover. I have something very similar from Patagonia that I’ve had for years, and I love the sherpa look of this one, feels like a fresh take on a staple. You would get a ton of wear out of this, and it’s on super sale.
Fatigue Tapered Pants - A non-jean pant that is comfortable and super versatile. Looks great with any basic T, or a button-down, or a sweater. You can wear them in the winter, spring, summer or fall. With a sneaker, a sandal, a boot. I just really love these pants! They run large, size down.
New Balance 574 Sneakers - So in right now. These remind me of the Saucony sneakers that I had in high school. J.Crew is a great spot to find cool New Balance options - they carry a small selection and also do special collabs - I also really like the 996 styles. I have a similar version to these ones, and if I weren’t on a sneaker moratorium I would be adding this pair to my collection.
The Charlotte Jeans are an obsession. I have this wash (dance floor) and love that it has the high-waist, slim cut style, but, does have a little stretch in them, unlike some of the lighter washes. Also, I have a weird belief that darker jeans make more sense in the winter than lighter ones. I’m not entirely sure why I feel this way, but I am almost always reaching for a darker wash when the weather is cold, and reserve lighter washes for warmer months! Also, I fully recognize that this is a ridiculous price for a pair of jeans and I am sorry but I am not sorry. Jeans are really hard to find! And these are comfortable to sit on the floor in, they don’t stretch out (I almost never wash them), and aren’t skinny jeans!
MOTHER The Hustler Jeans - I’m cringing at myself for another expensive pair of jeans on this list but these are really amazing. Perfect length, perfect stretch, love the kick-crop. I reach for these bad boys all the time and really want them in another wash!
White Tee - I am always searching for the best white T. I usually find great ones at H&M, but athleisure brands usually make great ones as well, and they wash really nicely. I like the neckline and drape on this one!
Mock Neck Sweater - I am currently living in this sweater. With jeans, with joggers, with leggings, over my pjs, the list goes on. I love the slouch and the neckline, and it’s just the right amount oversized.