Momversation Disses Hipster Moms Everywhere
Jan 27, 2010
When my Google Alerts turned up this post on Momversation, entitled Hipster Mom: Oxymoron?, I had to comment. The author Christine poses the question ‘…is it really important to be ‘hip’ and a mom?’. She claims that …’Being a ‘hipster’ is about being better than thou and if a mother is concerned about being too cool for school, she’s sending a dangerous message to her kids.’ This is such bullshit. First of all being hip isn’t about being ‘better than thou’, it’s about looking good, feeling good and enjoying who you are. While I think the term ‘hipster’ is funny and I use it partly in jest, I also believe that myself, and probably most of my readers, do embody the origins of the word ‘hipster’ which by Websters Dictionary is defined as ‘a person who is unusually aware of and interested in new and unconventional patterns’.
Christine also claims that if you are a hipster mom your kids will turn out like the bratty kids on My Super Sweet 16. Where that kind of reasoning comes in is beyond me. I would think that, like myself, any hip mama would expose her child to art, music, kindness, creativity and good fun not extreme materialism and snobbery. She ends with telling her readers to ‘be yourself’…but I guess if being yourself means being ‘hip’ or a ‘hipster’ you’re inevitably a bad influence on your kids. Suck it Christine! And by the way, you couldn’t be more off the mark on your hipster imagery for the post. See above for an actual hipster mom.
I’d be interested to read the article…
Link?
Christine is obviously trying to rationalize the fact that she’s a loser.
@Becky link is in black at the beginning of my post.
that is so LAME! that just goes along with the mentality that when you become a mom you have to lose yourself. ew.
After realizing that I could Google “Momversation”…I found it myself.
Argh, sorry…
And my opinion is…UGH. Annoying.
Her article contributes to the divisiveness of our society by singling out people that she deems “better than thou”.
She’s making a judgment about what she considers a hipster…classifying and characterizing open minded, fashion forward, culturally invested mothers with folks on “Look at this F**king Hipster”. Really?
Her parting note about being yourself is sort of the worst part…she’s saying don’t be a hipster or anything else that is damaging to your children…but be yourself?
We’re all going to damage our children in our own special way, but listening to Passion Pit, wearing skinny jeans, and appreciating anything considered hipstery isn’t going to effect children to the point of turning them into over-indulged assholes.
It’s actually going to make them informed, interesting, and really good looking!
Becky
xox
Putting a label on people for how they look SUCKS!!! It’s more of a ‘frame of mind’ thing! I guess to each their own, and since that is the case, I’m glad there is a place like hipstermom where I can feel welcome and relate to other open-minded mamas. It just so happens we are all really rad and super cute as well…
I saw that yesterday and knew you would respond! Word up! Funny because I was at this Collective Hardware party and there was this 3-4 year old girl dressed up as Snow White dancing with her hipster folks (it wasn’t too late - assuming she was in the early stages of home-schooling). Really a touching moment, then the next day I read this Momservation lady’s poorly written poorly thought-out piece (plus: WTF was that photo?) and the she brings out MomPac in Hipster Mom! Automatic gunfire! Good sh1t.
I commented on that article after reading your post. This is totally hypocritical and judgmental.
Who care what they say Momma. You and your child are too cute! I dont think people who are “hipsters” (and by definition, I guess I would be a hipster also since I’m also interested in new and unconventional patterns) actually planning on looking “hip” that day, we just are! We like what we like, rolled out of bed, dress in what we like, and do what we like.
I actually think urban and hip mothers are raising their kids in a better light. These are kids that are exposed to different cultures, ideas, and views since they are not used to the “norm,” meaning that they are less likely to be close minded about subjects that are sometimes frowned upon (like race, religion, views, and sexual preference).
Keep doing you, and F all that noise!
What a terribly written, stereotypical and judgmental article. Barf! I’m not even a mama and I find it offensive.
I think there’s a huge difference between a 16 year old “hipster” and an adult “hipster”, and she apparently missed the memo.
This is ludicrous. I especially like this line:
“Should a mom dress like these people?”
How are we supposed to dress?? Is there a “mom-code” I wasn’t made aware of. I think it’s more important to be a good mom and I will never EVER apologize for being super smart, in-tune, open-minded, compassionate, classy … and oh yea - super cute with unique style. Maybe I shouldn’t be an artist either … maybe I should have a more “mom-like” job. one, in which, I can more easily fit into the masses. Screw that! I think she misses the overall point - that most of us actually ARE being ourselves. My son can like what he likes. He wanted to be Hannah Montana for Halloween one year. Do I care? No. But I can guarantee you that there are “normal” parents out there who would call my son a sissy, a girl, and generally discourage him from exploring the world and his self-expression. Oh yea - and he likes PINK too! Ohhhhh - scary!
For the past 4 years or so, I was stuck in an incredibly small town in nowheresville Wisconsin. We finally made a break and are now living in the city again, but those 4 years were hell. The people there were the most judgemental and close-minded people I had ever had to coexist with and there was no way I was going to put my son into the school district there. He was bullied from the day he started Preschool. Yes, PRESCHOOL! It broke my heart. For the most part, I believe that kids are not born that mean-spirited. It came from their parents. This was the same place that whenever we arrived at the playground, all the parents already there would scoop up their children and run away. All my son wanted was to play with them. Those were the normal parents I was dealing with on a daily basis, who were super-scared of life, change, or anything unique. They were the parents who drove big expensive cars, lived in big expensive houses and wore their Green Bay Packers sweatshirts with pride. Ugh … it still makes me so upset. No thanks!
Samantha, I like your blog so much because you are a mom but it is not the only thing that defines you. You are also a wife, woman, friend, you are crafty, fun, stylish et cetera et cetera et cetera…
These people who thinks their existence is defined by their spawn or capacity to spawn are B-O-R-I-N-G. And lame.
[...] you can find links to on the lower right hand side of my page). This morning when I popped over to TheHipsterMom.com I read her response to an article on Momversation.com After reading the article I decided to bring [...]
i usually don’t comment but YES, christine.. it is important to still be “hip” and be a mom. suck it!
Could she be more judgemental? Just because you become a mother does not mean you have to change who you are. How can she say at the end of the article to just be yourself? Isn’t that what hipsters are doing anyway?
I bet she secretly wishes she was a hipster…..
“suck it christine” hahaha!
Sounds like somebody is a little sore from that stick being up her ass. Not only is that article poorly written but I think her idea of a “hipster” is a little skewed.
I guess we should all just don mom jeans and strip ourselves of personal identity for the sake of our kids, because THAT will surely set a wonderful example for them growing up. Ugh. Please.
Just another sour grape trying to rain on everyones parade.
Keep on keepin’ on Samantha!
So now we have to be prunes and all that MOM STEREOTYPE SHIT!
If you don’t like my Converse and ripped jeans, what the hell am I supposed to dress like?
Mom jeans and white keds!?
This are the type of moms that give me Judgmental looks @ the local Stabucks, Cause I look younger and far more stylish than them. Ah! And my girls behave better than her kids!
They have good manners and even speak 2 languages!
hahaha I’m no mom but this is completely full of bullshit. This lady obviously still wears mom jeans, and granny underwear, I.E. The ones that go over your hip bone, and belly button. Get a clue lady!
@Erin that is exactly what I was thinking. I love being a mum, but I don’t think I should have to give up everything that made me who I was before I had a baby. If that means I’m hipster then so be it! There is more to my life than motherhood.
I hate that I am expected to cut my hair, wear mum jeans and buy a station wagon!
what i’ve learned since becoming one is that no one is harder on moms or more judgmental than other moms. i don’t get it.
Something tells me she was the mean girl in the lunchroom. Bless her heart.
I bet she looks really hot in her beat up mini van and khaki pleated mom-pants…don’t be so jealous!!
also i just read one of the comments that someone left that reads “Anyway, most of us are just shells of the women we once were - before having kids.”
wow…thats depressing!! sucks to be you..
Pretty sure her husband would rather a “hipster mom”
what a fkn self-righteous idiot.
should mom’s wear skinny jeans instead of sweats? what?
looking good feeling good being a good friend a good wife a good sister a good mother … those are not either/or things. and to be all of the above - the title “mom” can’t rule your life.
unless u had no life prior to being a mom… just saying
As a young mother one of the things that I struggle with the most is finding a balance between my new life and who I was before I was a mother, it’s comments like that feel like a punch in the face. Being made to feel like you don’t love your kid because you don’t fit into a category is a horrible, horrible feeling. I came across your blog when I was pregnant and searching for a little proof that having a baby wasn’t the be-all and end-all and it has honestly helped me so much, right along with Rebecca Woolf’s book. I couldn’t possibly thank you enough.
Most of these comments are so mean spirited with an air of “better than thou”. Be who you are and go where your heart pulls you. Don’t try and sink to that womans level. Especialy by trying to imply you are more fun, attractive and fashionable than her (superficial superiority). It is so important to keep a sense of self while experiencing motherhood but it is also important to grow and evolve. Some women grow so far in the direction of mom slave due to lack of help and being overconsumed by the weight of caring for to many people. They lose sight of a simpler way to exist that leaves room for personal growth. Consider yourselves lucky to have the drive and motivation to keep your interests alive. And who knows, maybe the “shells of their former selves” are actualy happy with the person who is now residing within.
it’s not important how we look (hip or not) but it’s important that we’re GOOD moms, and looks can’t change that. And piercings or tattoos or wearing fashionable outfits of what kind so ever, DO NOT make you a bad mom; it’s important how you are on the INSIDE and people shouldnt judge a mother by the way she looks!!!
i really hate superficial people. If only they would take some time to get to know someone instead of only looking at the outside; they would be very surprised!!!
oh please! this lady is crazy! the attitudes those “Sweet 16″ brats have doesn’t come from how their parents act or dress…that, my friends is a result of POOR parenting skills. just because you keep your sense of self (style, attitude etc) doesn’t mean you aren’t doing a damn good parenting job–which i can tell you are Samantha. and ya know, my mom is a pretty hip mama and i was able, growing up, to feel comfortable to talk to her about ANYTHING & EVERYTHING and i am SOOO grateful for that! what kid would be able to relate to a stuck-up, judgemental, havin’ a FUPA in their mom jeans, boring mother?
just sayin’….
That’s crazy!!! Man, she got it so wrong on so many levels. Why does listening to Phoenix instead of Barney, make me an asshole? My daughter happens to love Phoenix and has a great appreciation for music as a result of the bands we listen to with her. It’s horrible when people hate on others when they really have no idea what they are talking about. And the problem is she just ends up coming across bitter and jealous. Moms can be all kinds of people, as long as they love their babies does it really matter if they are wearing skinny jeans or sweat pants?
And for the record, Carol Brady would have been considered “hip” for her time.
@Abalacious Please re-read your comment, you sound like a shell of your former self. We should be uniting not bashing on eachother as the writer of that article was bashing on other moms basically not on her ‘level’. Not one mom can say they do it better than the next, everyone has a different style; mom or not… So what if some of these commenters are proud of the fact that they KNOW they are not a “stereotypical” mom with the mom jeans, the keds? Being proud of your differences is just SO holier than thou, you are SOOOO right.
I agree BE PROUD! but not self righteous. I don’t agree with that womans article at all. But as we all know hip is not soley defined by clothing and outer apperiences. I am a stylist/platform artist and have been in the biz since I was 16. When I see a rockin chic that looks really interesting, I get sooo mad when I approach her and find out she has no intrests other than looking good. Give me a buck toothed, greasy faced, mom jean wearing floozy that can talk art, music and philosophy. I would have a much more interesting all nighter with her that’s for sure.
alright on the real, who the fuck is THAT bitch anyway? i swear to God, she’s just like these same moms that i have to deal with every fawking week @ me n my son’s mommy-n-me class. Samantha, i love your blog and definitely relate to you and most of your readers. i wouldn’t exactly label myself as a “hipster” or whatnot, but i don’t fit into the typical boring mom either. definitely misinterpreted. the mommies in my class all like to treat me like i’m this young, irresponsible teenage girl who had a baby out of wedlock. i don’t get invited to their playdates and for the most part me n my son get completely ignored by these boring ass hoes. i really could give a fuck, but what’s crazy is that what they mostly see is a younger-looking -than them- girl, with minimal tattoos, funky steez, and a tatted up pro skateboarder baby daddy. little do they know is that i’m a fucking 30 year old Registered Nurse who’s just as or maybe even more of a professional than they are outside of our classes. (shiet, i could save you AND your baby’s life, biatch!)
it just sucks that people judge based on what they see on the outside. just reading your blog shows me/your readers that you’re an awesome mom. yeah, you’re hip, fashionable etc etc, but what really shows is that you’re a loving mom who on the daily basis does whatever the fuck you can to make it through the day/week/month just like the rest of us. y’kno?!?!
Fuck ‘em!
Dude. I got so annoyed by that article that I actually REGISTERED and COMMENTED.
What narrow minded BS. She’s so worried about other people’s kids listening to Phoenix, when hers are probably (and unfortunately) growing up to be bullies (Amber from Clueless anyone?).
Totally lame.
NOT TO MENTION… Which parent on My Super Sweet 16 is a hipster? They are all conventionally “normal” upper class parents who just clearly dropped the ball on some serious issues. I don’t think any of them went wrong on playing their kids too much Blur or Le Tigre or whatever was “hipster” then. I bet half of those moms might even be on the PTA.
“If you’re a mom and you’re that worried about “being cool,” then maybe you should take a second look at your priorities”
–Are u kidding me?! This lady has no idea what she is talking about.
dang aint that some shit. I dream of being a hipster mom one dayy, Kate Gosselin + fat nasty soccer moms are my birth conrol, yuckk.
jeez, that woman has a lot of time on her hands. who CARES. my mom is like the OG of hipster moms. she’s good at what she does as a mom and a professor. and oh, she just so happens to have an iPhone, a blog, wear skinny jeans and listens to Washed Out. she’s also almost 50.
you love your kids. you have a big group of adoring fans (look at this here flashmob =]) and you write about things moms (hipster or not!) care about, like post-partum fitness, where to get your kids’ hair cut, even baby fashion…I don’t think *good* moms are really that concerned with dissing other women. I would like to think moms wanna read what you write.
haters to the back, hipster moms (and nannies!) to the front.
“Christine also claims that if you are a hipster mom your kids will turn out like the bratty kids on My Super Sweet 16.”
actually, i would argue the exact opposite. moms who give up everything in their lives to cater to every whim of their children, focus on their children’s needs instead of their own, and devote their lives to being MOM instead of being a well-rounded person, are much more likely to turn out bratty, self-centered, spoiled kids. keep being your awesome selves and your kids will end up awesome too.
[...] I get quite a few readers that aren’t moms yet and enjoy reading the antics of a hipster mom. Contrary to what some women think you can be hip and be a mom! Why the fuck not. So I think girls that are where I was five or six [...]