In my mummyhood, I've started to notice a new sub-group of Mummies. The best way to describe them is, as in the above title, the Organic Yuppie Yummy Mummy. Here's how to spot one of these:
- They tend to reside in the inner city.
- Their husband or partner works as a fairly well-paid professional
- Both are well-educated, and the child is involved in a variety of activities from a young age
- They, and their child, are dressed head to toe in labels
- When not in labels, the child is dressed head to toe in organic bamboo clothing
- Their child eats nothing but organic food stuffs
- Their child wears organic bamboo Modern Cloth Nappies
- Pram is either Bugaboo, Phil&Ted, Mountain Buggy, or similar higher-end model
- There may or may not be an air of pretentiousness
I have noticed these mummies for a while now, but it was at Alex's music class that I really noticed the trend. In amongst the Chanel thongs, the gorgeous maxi-dresses, the cutie in pink Ralph Lauren sneakers, the perfect hair, the stunning tans, I started to feel a little intimidated. Luckily I had dressed up a little for the first class, and Alex was in a cute outfit. I started to get the feeling that yes, Alex and I were going to have to start dressing well for every week...
The Organic Yuppie Yummy Mummy is an unexpected mix. Almost an urban hippy, while embracing blatant consumerism. It is fashionable these days to only use organic products, be it food or nappies, but at the same time, only the most expensive organic products will do. Being seen to be doing the organic thing. I can't help cringing whenever I hear a mum, with a huge sense of pride, telling how they only use such and such brand because it's "organic". I question what the baby actually gets out of it.
It actually reminds me of a South Park episode where Kyle's father bought a hybrid car, which leads the family to move to San Fransisco, after Randy tells Gerald that he has become so smug he loves the smell of his own farts. Once in San Fransisco, Kyle's family are among other like-minded folk, who, mid-conversation, fart, bend over and inhale before resuming their conversation. If you can draw the parallel.
It's not just the organic products though. It's the high-end products that many parents feel a need to purchase, even though there is generally no advantage using that product over the less fashionable brand.
On one level, I'm a little jealous. I wish I was pushing the Bugaboo pram. I wish I had a wardrobe that wasn't filled with cheap $10 shirts from Valley Girl, or wherever was having a sale. I was glad I'd left our pram in the car that day, and that Alex wasn't wearing his slightly tattered hand-me-down shoes. I wish I could justify the expense of $40 each for the lovely organic bamboo MCNs. I wish I could tan effectively. I wish I was an organic yuppie yummy mummy.
On the other hand, it almost appears to me that the mums that must have the "must have" items almost treat their baby as a fashion accessory. Their baby must be wearing the "right" clothes, their fashionable nappy bag must be hanging from their stylish pram.
While I have no qualms with following fashions for yourself, I do question the practicality of some of these purchases for children. I like to have brand names too. I just don't see the point with brand names for children. They don't appreciate that they're wearing a Leona Edminston dress when they're 14 months old. They'd be just as happy wearing a five dollar onesie from Big W. To me, it's as simple as styling your child as a fashion accessory for yourself. An extra handbag, if you will.
I mentioned to John the other week how I wished we could have had a Bugaboo pram, and he reminded me the reason we got our pram was because we wanted a sturdy pram we would jog with, which neither the Stokke or Bugaboo options lend themselves too. I'm glad I have my husband to give me a sense of reality.
I don't really hold it against anyone who has the funds, and buys what they buy because they honestly believe it meets their needs. It's when people who don't have the funds think they must have these items when things aren't so great. I think celebrity worship is to blame in part, particularly after the latest wave of celebrity babies hitting the streets. We know Angelina, Naomi and Nicole are using particular products, and damn it, we want it too. Regardless of the fact that these celebrity mums have a slightly larger income than the average mum around here, deep down, we just want to do what the cool kids are doing.
I know it doesn't really matter though, and Alex is doing fine without any bamboo clothing. I'm still spending the next few days picking out what to wear to the next music class though.
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