Why I'm not a Manicured Mommy

I haven't had polished nails in approximately 7 1/2 years. Initially, it was because with a newborn, there was no way of knowing when I'd have a chunk of time to let the polish dry properly.

These days, it's because a lot of kid activities and services aren't exactly manicure friendly.

Case in point, these nails. Saturday evening I had a few hours after everyone was asleep to fiddle around with polish.

Two days later, I helped at VBS. And this is what an hour or so of opening pudding cups will do to relatively freshly painted nails.

Next week I'm going to a conference where "a basic manicure" is recommended for the speaker evaluation sessions. I wrestle with the concept because I don't want to add one more bit of pressure to my life. (And frankly, I'm not sure when I'm supposed to get them 'manicured' between preparing myself to go and preparing everyone else for me to be gone.)

But beyond that, it feels a little disingenuous to me to take on a "sharp" haircut and manicured nails when my days really pass in ponytails and unadorned nails. Where's the line between "good hygiene" and over-doing?

If I show up to speak at a MOPS group (where many women are glad to get out of the house in an outfit without spots of spit-up and their hair blow-dried instead of 'wash and wear') perfectly pressed, with every hair in place and my nails properly manicured, do I become a little less relatable?

For this conference, I'll probably comply and try to have my nails look nice for the occasion.

But as soon as I get home, I'll go back to naked nails. I don't want to be the kind of mom who doesn't want to open the pudding cups because it will mess up my manicure.