Boxed Wine and Bedwetters

I’ve always prided myself on being a “hot mess mom.” I figured if I admitted it to myself and everyone else that I have no clue what I’m doing most of the time, I would give myself an easy way out when I failed. And by failed, I mean; I forgot it was dress up day at school, didn’t make sure my kids homework was done, or I sent them to school with a piece of cold pizza, a questionable carrot stick and a bag of cereal dust, and called it a lunch.

Because I’ve already labeled myself this way and strived not to be one of those “super organized, over achiever moms,” I’ve lost all kinds of control lately in this household.

Over the summer, I allowed the kids way too much iPad time, didn’t make them open one book and threw out all the rules when it came to eating proper meals and showering. I felt like all my fellow “hot mess moms” were doing the same, so it was no big deal! “It’s summer,” I’d tell myself. “They’re only young once.”

The problem is that now that school is back in session, I am having the hardest time getting us back on track. We now have zero organization, a half assed schedule, no rules and basic anarchy!!

The kids are tired, whiny and unmotivated and I feel like all I do is yell, curse under my breath and roll my eyes. No one is benefiting.

So maybe Karin, with an “I,” who always seems to have her shit together or Linda, who makes everything from scratch and has lists for days that she actually checks off, are not so bad after all. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from them and not be so ‘judgey’ because of our own mom insecurities.

I think it’s about time I sat down and actually made the checklist I keep threatening the kids with. The one that gives them chores or tasks expected of them and if they aren’t checked off, they lose iPad time. Or perhaps I’m finally ready to admit that the clutter around here is killing me and the “pardon the mess, my children are making memories” sign on my mantle is bullshit.

Maybe it’s time to pack lunches the night before and even check school bags and line them up, rather than frantically searching for lunch bags, water bottles and homework folders every morning. Maybe it’s time to stop labeling myself a hot mess mom and get my shit together.

Or maybe I’ll start tomorrow.

Hi! I’m Amanda Rotoli, and I’m currently pregnant with my third girl! Yes, I know I’m cursed, I mean blessed.

When I’m not getting knocked up, I have multiple jobs, including hairstylist, make-up artist and Rodan and Fields consultant. I work all of my jobs from home or on location, so that I can be there for my girls, Millie, 9, and Gabbie, 6.

My husband, John, works a lot of long hours in retail management, where your dreams of working 9-5 M-F go to die and holidays and weekends are not a time for family, but to stock shelves for the “big sale.” So, although he is an amazing hubby and daddy, he just isn’t home all that much!

School hasn’t started yet, so I currently spend most days juggling my hair appointments and RF reach outs, while keeping my girls from killing each other and destroying my house. We’ve been living on pizza and hotdogs this summer, like most American families, because who wants to cook in the summer? Especially while pregnant???? Typically, boxed wine would be my best friend right now, keeping me calm on long summer days, but like I said currently pregnant AGAIN!

Oh, did I mention this baby wasn’t planned? AND I’m high risk! Not only is this a geriatric pregnancy (I’m 38 so therefore old AF) but my uterus is an anomaly, it’s heart shaped and has a wall down the middle, so the baby only grows on my right side. It’s about as much fun as it sounds and requires lots of doctors appts, ultrasounds and bloodwork. So I’m obviously living my best life right now.

I bet you’re wondering why I would start a blog during all this chaos in my life??? Well, as Rachel Hollis says “If not now, when??”

In college, as an English major, I always thought I’d be the next Carrie Bradshaw. Writing a column in a NYC magazine was all I ever wanted, but life had different plans for me and here I am, a NJ wife and #girlmom in the competitive beauty industry. I figured having a blog is the current version of my 2002 aspirations of being a magazine writer.

This is something I’ve always wanted to do, to have a voice. To bring joy, humor, quick kid-friendly meal ideas and easy beauty hacks to moms everywhere. I’d like this blog to be a place for you to come and feel at home. A place with no judgment, no matter how you parent your kids, what your feed them (as long as they are fed) or if your are a SAHM, working mom, or little bit of both, like ME!