For the record, my shoes were REALLY sparkly.
Ok, so I actually had TWO babysitters booked for my big Critic’s Choice Movie Awards red carpet workday… one sitter for the morning (so I could shower, wash my hair, fake-tan my arms and do some mental prep in peace) and one sitter for the afternoon/evening (for when I was actually working). That’s what you do when one person can’t stay for the whole time you need them.
The morning sitter flaked. I shouldn’t say that. She actually had a legit family reason for not being able to come… but for the sake of dramatic interpretation on this blog, let’s just say she flaked. She pretty much called me 45 minutes after she was supposed to be at my house in the morning to say she couldn’t come anymore. The end result was the same = NO SITTER FOR ME IN THE MORNING WHEN I HAD PLANNED MY PREP ACTIVITIES MINUTE-BY-MINUTE AROUND HER PRESENCE.
No big deal. I’m a Fab Mom (remember)? That’s what I told myself. Make it work. So I did. If you ever find yourself in this predicament, here are a few tips to get you through in order of what I did:
I'll smile when I approve of your dress Mommy.
DO: Put your baby down for a morning nap while you trap your toddler in your bathroom so you can keep an eye on her as you shower, fake-tan your limbs, dry your hair and try to ignore the royal mess she’s making from tearing apart your drawers as you go about your business.
DO: Try on your dress and/or figure out what you’re wearing WITH your baby (once she wakes up from that nap). She’ll be entertained and just might give you some insight about what looks good and what doesn’t. (Your toddler may or may not still be entertained by the contents of your bathroom drawers… that’s fine.)
Past my bedtime? Whatever.
DO: Giggle uncontrollably when you return home and can’t seem to pry your toddler away from trying on (and walking in!) the fabulous 5-inch heels that you just kicked off so that you could read bedtime stories in comfort. She did pull some similar shenanigans after this same event last year, afterall.
In other words: Remember to relax and smile. Good actors (actors who win awards, that is) often talk about “staying in the moment” while they’re working. As moms we must remember to do the same. Once at work, forget about what happened at home. You’re not there anymore. Stop thinking about it. Stay in the moment that needs attention at that very moment.
So what SHOULDN’T you do? DON’T fret about what the Director of Disney’s “Wreck It Ralph” joked about your black faux-fur jacket:
(My actual footage from the red carpet soon to be featured on FamilyDinnerTips. Don’t fret… I’ll let ya know when…)
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A BABYSITTER FLAKE? HOW DID YOU RECOVER?
Super sparkly shoes are the only way to go!