Not Your Mother’s Shampoo.
Catelyn has three different bottles of this product that I have to look at every time I shower.
Since Catelyn is always second-guessing my decisions regarding her welfare, I take this shampoo’s name to mean that I have also made bad decisions about her hair care products for, like, forever, I guess.
She’s not using her mother’s shampoo. She is using “Not Your Mother’s Shampoo.”
She may not mean anything by it. But…
She has been second-guessing me for the past ten years or so. I figure I have another ten to go. It is just a phase. I know I did it to my parents too. I think I was a little older, though.
Yesterday, as I was scrolling through photos “on this day” in years past, I ran across another phase.
2015 – When I made clothes for Catelyn.
Being super sensitive to different materials, cuts, and things generally touching her skin, I began to make her clothes myself. I found a pattern and a jersey knit fabric that met her needs, and the best part – she let me sew things for her that she would actually wear.
(Once, Catelyn fell in a puddle on the school playground and had to change her clothes into something the nurse had on-hand. I think the entire school regretted that decision, and the hour they waited until they decided to call me, and I could rush clothes over. Since Catelyn is such a klutz, we ALL felt it was best to keep a change of clothes at the school for her, just in case).
As I scrolled farther down on my phone to see any other memories, this photo popped up taken on the same day.
THE fixation of 2015. Weekly trips to Target to look at the Lego figures. JUST the figures. Superhero (Spiderman) ones, to be precise.
Only one of my children has been interested in Legos. That award goes to Bobby. When Bobby phased out of Legos, we pooled all the blocks into a Lego-specific storage bin. It makes me shudder to think how many different expensive sets of Legos are in there that are now totally worthless. They’re just blocks at this point. Yet Murphy states – the second I donate that bin of Legos is the day Declan will become fixated on Legos. (I’m onto you, Murphy!).
Declan never wanted the Lego set. He wanted the figure. See, below his hand? How the figures are all lined up in the plastic sleeve? ALL THE AMAZING FIGURES THAT A CHILD COULD HAVE FUN PLAYING WITH YET ARE NOT INDIVIDUALLY FOR SALE? Those?
Yeah, he saw them too.
Looking at the big expensive set, Declan could also see the figure inside that he wanted. Why couldn’t I just get the box so he could have the figure?
In 2021, I have no issue buying a $4 squishy for a sensory collection. In 2015 – well, in ANY year, I have a problem with buying an expensive Lego set for a figure.
In 2015 I see that Declan was still unable to walk next to the cart, nor was he small enough to fit in the cart seat. He sat in the back and could easily climb out of the cart and dart if he was upset. 2013-2014 Robyn was pretty clueless and left many stores feeling distraught while carrying a distraught child. 2015 Robyn must have had a plan or distraction. Because we never bought those Lego sets, and Declan isn’t crying in the photo. Like a lot of parents to a child with autism we turned to eBay and met those fixations in a much cheaper way.
I don’t sew clothes for Catelyn anymore. I would, but I think she said something along the lines of “mom” and “has bad taste.” I still work with Declan on his fixations, thankfully, in a reasonable way.
And I secretly used Catelyn’s “Not Your Mother’s Shampoo” once. It’s “all hype.” Which I believe, is the cool way to say my “mom shampoo” is fine. At least, I think it is the cool way to say that. I’ll have to ask Google – and maybe see if there is a “Not Your Daughter’s Shampoo” out there. That would be funny! (For me, at least 😊 ).
How far you have come, all that knowledge that you have gained which would help others, just saying 😉❤️👍
Thanks, Elaine!! 🙂
Aww I won’t lie, that sound a bit hurtful, but in a very normal growing-up, getting-independent way. I know that growing up, all of us thought our parents were uncool (and ironically, the “cool” parents were VERY irresponsible!). What a bittersweet moment in motherhood to share, thank you ❤️
And also, kudos on making clothes! I tried sewing recently and it was so frustrating that I rage-quit, so I can tell it takes patience and talent to make your own clothes 🙂
Catelyn and I laugh about it at this point. I swear she was born with one hand on her hip and a skeptical expression, just for me! 🙂
What helps me with sewing is that I also use my “ish” in that area too. Even when I look at the shirt she is wearing here I am seeing some things I missed or overlooked at the time, but it worked! Just never look at the inside of my garments – they’re a disaster! 🙂
I’m telling you, all that stuff with Declan when he was younger was just boot camp for dealing with a Teenage Girl.😱
Your sense of humor will help.
I had to have all my own special “beauty care” products when I was a teen too. So did my girls. Advertisers are earning their salaries with the teens. ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit” to me😉🤣🤣🤣
Hahaha!! That is hilarious!! I think you hit the nail on the head with the “Smells Like Teen Spirit!!
She is definitely unapologetically herself, which is awesome. Way different than the boys – always keeps me on my toes, that is for sure!!
It’s all a balancing act and it sounds like you did/are doing a great job. I Love the idea of “Not your daughter’s” shampoo too. Maybe your could patent that idea.
Thank you so much! I thought that would be a great idea too – maybe that could be my big break! That would be awesome 🙂
These are very funny memories, even the ones that feel a bit snippy from your daughter. She will appreciate you one day, I just know it! 🙂
It’s amazing that you can make your own clothes. That is a great skill and it looked great! Maybe you can start branding them “Not Your Mother’s Homemade Clothes!”
That is a perfect brand name! That is great! 🙂
Not my mother’s shampoo is probably just Suave in a different bottle. Sophie swears there are differences in shampoos. I use whatever is handy. They all seem the same to me. Except Suave, I really like that one. Thank god Eli never got into Legos. He got them every now and then at his birthday parties. He put the set together in an hour or two, and then pit them back in the box and never touched them again. Stuff like that kills me. Sophie, at 18 is kind. Just a few more years for you…
Catelyn swears they are all different too. I think she fell for the advertising or influencers that promote the products. Oh my gosh, I know. Some of the Lego sets we got Bobby were $100 each. Now they are just in a bin. Uggh. Thank you! Fingers crossed!
Your so better than me at this. That’s why I pinch your parenting ideas. That Lego photo made me smile. We would go into ToyRUs and I would buy those sets for him. Looking at the picture, we have those sets. I bet your clothe making skills have made end that lasted longer than mine. x
You’re too kind! 🙂 You help me face the unbearably frustrating with humor, which helps – big time! I would have probably gotten him the whole sets too if he would put them together. When Bobby was into them everything was Star Wars – so those are the ones we have. So much money in our Lego bin! It was totally worth it at the time, though! x
As I commented below, Legos have a surprisingly good resell value!
Quick response to quick scan: Used Legos have good resell value! I used to know a person who made a living off buying, sorting, and reselling used Legos.
Good to know!
My son has his own brand of shampoo… as if his appearance actually matters to him…
Is it called “Not Your Father’s Shampoo?” 🙂 I guess we all have our favorite brands. Hers just seems so… specific.:-)
Good articles in a charming blog … congratulations
Thank you!
Welcome dear friend Robyn 🌹