When you become Mom-ish, as opposed to Amish, you really don't notice it at first. Like the Amish, I have my own little world. It is the world of the preschooler. I don't know anything else. The Wiggles and Laurie Berkner are my link to the outside. I am a pacifist until one of my kids needs a good spanking. I don't abhor technology, I just don't understand it. I do want an Ipod, but how does it work? I don't even know how to spell it. I have my own phone shanty, it is called the closet. Can someone show me how to text message?

Luxuries like eye cream and comfy socks are dream presents, but it goes much deeper. Have I started going to bed at 9 p.m. because I am into a great book, or is it really because I am exhausted from cleaning all day? Do I eat dark chocolate in secret because I don't want my husband to know that I am eating sugar again? Maybe I can say it is because of all the flavonoids? Notice I didn't say Flavor Flav? That reminds me. Music is getting too loud, and I really can't understand the lyrics anymore, so KOSI 101 is the station of choice when I am in the car, if I can stand music at all. Have I started knitting because making my own scarves is rewarding, or is it so I won't eat the whole bag of Cheetos while I watch Grey's Anatomy?

Being Mom-ish doesn't mean you have thrown in the towel. It's not like I wore a Christmas tree sweater during the holidays and my jeans are "below the waist." Being Mom-ish means that you are no longer worried about yourself and what others think of you. Instead, you worry about your children and what they think of you. It's a subtle, but important, distinction. Now, I can embarrass my teenage son, Austin, by driving him to the library in the minivan and not feel guilty about it.

See, I don't have to be cool anymore. It is such a relief. My clothing consists of jeans, t-shirts and sneakers. I meal plan, I clip coupons and I certainly don't go dancing. I'm Mom-ish.