“I know it sounds mental, but sometimes I have more fun vegging out than when I go partying. Maybe because my party clothes are so binding.” – Cher from Clueless
If I were to be completely honest, I have always loved fashion and getting dressed up, but on the flip side give me my yoga leggings, sweat pants of even pajama pants while I veg out reading at night with a good book and I am as happy as can be nowadays.
But see back in the day, I was definitely more the party girl, Cher, who lived to dress up, go out and simply have fun.
Many times in my youth, my nights would only begin around 11 pm and would find me out until all hours of the night and truly dressed to kill (or at least I thought so).
I was young and honestly that so-called youth had a way of helping me to keep all sorts of hours.
My own dad wasn’t amused and even though he went to bed on the earlier side, he also would be up by around 4 am to begin his day on the whole.
I still can recall one specific night, that I came waltzing in after an especially fun night out with friends, only to bump into my dad in the hallway of our home.
Dad clearly, spoke first calmly saying, “Good morning sunshine.”
I sarcastically answered back, “Good night!”
I give my dad credit as he never lost his cool with my smart mouth on this in the heat of the moment.
For the life of me, I don’t remember our conversation the following day or what transpired in the aftermath only recalling how argumentative and belligerent I was overall during that time of my life.
Not proud by any means, but I admit it whole heartedly and can be upfront here.
But that was then and this is now.
Becoming a mom changed me in more ways than one, especially mellowing me out and sadly losing a year’s worth of sleep with a colicky baby in the past nor the overall tiredness in the present that prevents me from wanting to put on my so-called party clothes and live it up more often.
As for nights out on the town, I still do go out when I can. Maybe not nearly as much as I once did. But when I do, my nights start much earlier and end around the time that I would have been just getting ready to go out in the past.
It is a conscious decision to be more responsible than my youthful counterpart, as well as the fact that I am more a lightweight as far as how late I can stay up now.
Let’s just say, it is a bit of a case of Cinderella’s carriage turning back into a pumpkin at the strike of midnight!
I definitely get the irony here if nothing else.
Also when I am out, as much fun as I might be having, there is a part of me missing, thinking, discussing and even longing to be home with them.
Home is truly where the heart is.
See my girls are at the age, where they look for me thinking I can do no wrong and when it comes to bed time, they expect me to tuck them in and read with them, as well.
I know full well there is going to come a day, when they will be out past my now bedtime and most likely keep similar hours to my once youthful self.
So when I miss this bed time ritual even once in awhile, I feel as though my heart is missing a beat or two.
Believe me I know logically that is it healthy and even the best thing I can do for myself to have time away from them, as it only reaffirms just how much I adore and love them.
However, I always come home to them and when I do find myself watching my girls sleep peacefully by the light of their nightlight at the end of these evenings out.
It is in this quiet that I just can’t help, but realize that I am truly the lucky one here for that party girl that I once was didn’t know or have this kind of pure and unconditional love.
[Tweet “Musings on nights out now versus before becoming a mom #momlife”]
If nothing else, I am better off for it and wouldn’t trade in all my younger party clothes days for any of it.
Although most mornings, I might beg to disagree and even have a bit of buyer’s remorse. See less than an hour of being awake after a night out, will most likely find me having counted to five for the five year old to stop crying over something else and even broken up more fights than a referee between both of my two. The realization dawns on me during these so-called moments, that I may feel differently and wonder why I don’t go out more.
So, Cher may not have had it all right at first and even more still I may just totally be buggin!!
Bev says
Oh how I can relate! Now I’m in bed hours earlier than I was leaving the house about a decade ago, but I’d honestly rather have a low-key night in with good friends than a night out late. It was fun in my 20s, but definitely no more energy for that (ESPECIALLY since becoming a mom!)
Janine says
Bev, I am so with you and truly don’t have the energy for it either anymore.
Meredith says
I love this, Janine! So spot on! And I loved Clueless–thanks for bringing back those memories!
Janine says
My pleasure bringing back the memories with Clueless and also glad it isn’t just me with nights out with now being a mom!
Seana Turner says
I’ve never been a night owl or a party girl, even in my youth. Never looked as great as you do in that pic! But I do think that our priorities and our physical needs change multiple times throughout our lives. What brings us joy and peace also changes, and when we are sleep-deprived, staying up just isn’t appealing. Embrace the pleasure of the day!
Janine says
Thanks Seana on so many different levels and I truly do just try to embrace as much as I can though still now 🙂
Kathy Radigan says
I was never really a party girl, but I do miss the feeling that I could be it if wanted to! As a mom my nights are very different. But, like you I wouldn’t trade them for anything! xo
Janine says
I know same here with not wanting to now trade them for anything either! xoxo
Ducks n a Row says
It is amazing how our perspective changes. When I was oh-so young, I never imagined it was possible to have a good time out with my friends before the sun went down! Now I know we can enjoy our friendships any time of day. I pick daylight hours! LOL
Sinea♥
Janine says
I know totally, Sinea and yes I pick daytime hours as much as possible too now 😉
Dara says
I’m definitely more of a night owl than a morning person, but I’d much rather be in my pj’s early and watching TV than heading out!
Janine says
Dara, totally and the pjs and either watching TV in bed or reading is more my speed these days, too!
Kristen says
Look at you party girl! I’m with you – totally can’t hang anymore and totally OK with that. The girls are worth it and so is our sleep! Love the Clueless theme, one of my FAVS!
Janine says
I agree the girls are very worth, but so is our sleep. Oh and I just had to go with the Clueless theme 🙂
Bill says
It’s fun reading about you when you were younger and the transformation that has happened with motherhood.
Have a great Monday, Janine!
Janine says
Thanks Bill and I really do enjoy writing about all of it here. So glad you do enjoy though, too. Happy Monday once again!! 🙂
Amanda || Growing Up Madison says
I was just talking about this recently, about how my bedtime is now when I’d be heading out and I need to get my life back. A friend and I went out and I was shocked that even while I was out I was thinking that I wanted to go home and just Netflix and chill. 🙂 While I don’t miss the “good old days” I still reminisce about them. 🙂
Janine says
I know I am definitely all about Netflix or reading, too at night now, as well. Glad it isn’t just me though 😉
Allie says
Your dad is a lot cooler than my dad ever was. And you are adorable in your going out picture!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Allie and I was shocked at how cool he was when I did do that back then.
Jen says
Woo-hoo look at that smoking hot picture of Janine! If my Dad had caught me coming in at 4 am. That would have been the last time! I wonder what I will be like with my kids, hmm… That is something to think about! Cher had it right, the party nowadays is always much better enjoyed in my yoga pants!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Jen and I am with you on those yoga pants now, too totally!! 🙂
Tamara says
I remember going out around 11. I started getting ready around 9 or 10! Whoa. Life was different. I had this close friend and we’d hang out all night. One night I came home as my dad was leaving for work. “Hi, Dad!” I yelled and waved. Then I slept until noon.
Oh, to do that again.
Janine says
I know to do that again! Seriously though just feels like another lifetime ago though still.
Aunt Gloria says
I can definitely relate to your late night party style back innthe day. I had a few all-nighters too, hanging out with friends and dancing the night away! Good memories. But also good to have your new lifestyle and family … earlier bedtimes and energy-conservation! I’m glad I had those days of wine and roses too! Now I just have a glass of wine with dinner! Lots of love…….xxoo
Janine says
Sounds perfect to me now and lots of love, too!!! xoxo
Carrie Groneman says
Isn’t it amazing how we think we are ‘so much’ until we have a family, and then we are ‘truly more’. Thanks for the great post Janine!
Janine says
I couldn’t agree more, Carrie and I know truly is an eye opening experience! 🙂
Cynthia says
Oh yes…the trappings of youth. Hehe. I had a lot of late nights…and though I don’t have kids, if I’m not in bed by 9:30 these days, it’s a late night! Hahaha.
I hope you’re having a wonderful start to your week! Sending hugs!
Janine says
More hugs yet again and also hoping you too are having a wonderful week so far again!! 🙂
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I always enjoy reading about you. I am sure your childhood experiences shaped you into the terrific mom you are today. It is totally obvious to me that you would do anything for your girls including giving up late nights to be able to tuck them in bed. You are a great mom!
Blessings,
Diane
Janine says
Aw, hugs and seriously thank you so much once again Diane for all your kind words and sharing, too for me!! <3
Candace says
This is great! We sound very similar. I was a party girl back in the day as well. I can’t even imagine staying out today like I did back then. Such a different lifestyle! My bedtime is really important to me now. That movie is hilarious. I think I need to re-watch it :).
Janine says
Candace, I think I may need to rematch Clueless soon too and maybe I can find it on Netflix now. Also glad it isn’t just me though 🙂
Caryn says
Love the movie reference. I remember telling my husband that we were always going to be those “cool people that go out even when we got old.” Now I laugh, I just don’t have any desire to go out. Don’t get me wrong, we have date nights and even family date nights, but I often cherish more the times we dance, sing or cuddle on the couch watching a movie more.
Janine says
Caryn, the same here truly and still can’t believe I ever thought I could still be going out now for late nights!
eli@coachdaddy says
When I worked in newspapers, late nights were a way of life. I missed those bedtime moments, but I had time during the day, too. I wasn’t much of a late-night partier, unless you count eating waffles at 3 a.m. partying!
Janine says
Switch that to cheese fries with gravy and that was my late night diner snack routine back in the day!! 🙂
Jack says
I used to routinely waltz in as the sun was coming up. Stayed out to all hours and did it for the first several years of marriage and then came the kids.
Now that mine are getting older it is not unusual to see me out about town again and to come back a bit later, but most nights I am still quite happy to be home.
Janine says
Jack, maybe when mine are a bit older, but still I don’t sleep the way I once did. So sadly an earlier bedtime has befallen me.
Chris Carter says
I am ALL about those stay at home, snuggle in, relax and wear jammies kind of nights! I used to ‘try’ to be that singles lady in Chicago, and once in a while I would hit the town all dressed up with a friend. I never ever felt right in that scene. Weird.
I’m SO glad I found my scene now. Loved this Janine!
Janine says
Me neither now, Chris and sounds like we are truly similar on this, too. Thanks 🙂
Kenya G. Johnson says
I never did party much. If I was breaking curfew I was over someone’s house or in route home. I NEVER met up with my dad in the hallway and I’m sure he wouldn’t have said, “Good Morning Sunshine.” But I just never liked going out places with a bunch of people unless it was the movies. My bedtime last night was 8:34. I looked at the clock just as I crawled into bed. I don’t even think I could handle a serious party night out.
Janine says
Kenya, 8:34 sounds heavenly to me now and yes I know my dad said that, but seriously was not a happy camper irregardless at that point! 😉
Debbie says
Hi Janine, getting out and having fun is part of preparing us for parenthood don’t you think? Except being young means we seem to have more stamina and can keep going from night out, to work, to night out again.
My daughter has started going out more often now and is rarely home before my bedtime, it does shock my friends in the UK that we let her out with her friends until midnight, but it’s a totally different culture here and they hang out in coffee shops.
xx
Janine says
Debbie, couldn’t have said it better if I tried and sounds like you also are a wonderful mom to your own daughter, as well 😉
Dana says
I was never a super late night girl, but I am a bit of a night owl. I will admit that I was so happy when my kids started sleeping in on weekend mornings – that is heavenly!
Janine says
I cannot wait for that and maybe then I will begin to sleep in once again as I do so miss the sleeping in aspect if nothing else!
Leslie says
Oh, yes. I was definitely that girl who would be up until all hours of the night. From the age of 12 or 13 I remember being up until as late as 5am….and that’s before partying days! Now that we have little ones, I’m usually getting to bed closer to midnight, though I still stay up until 1 or 2am sometimes! I’s amazing how kids change our entire lives. Though I don’t know anyone who would give it up.
Kelly Arnell says
Oh how life has changed since having kids! Honestly, I don’t really miss late nights and getting drunk. I have a lot of fun memories, but those days are definitely past me now. I have no desire to deal with hangovers anymore!
Janine says
Me neither, Kelly as I am fine with a drink here or there, but not the point that I am completely hungover the next day.
Maria/Simplenaturedecor says
Very entertaining post! Brings back memories. I truly was an night owl in my younger years! I think thats why I cant go to sleep early, its still in my DNA! But blogging does help to keep me out of trouble! lol. I do love going out with my friends, its lots of fun! Your look great now and have not changed a bit!
Maria
Janine says
Maria, I know and have trouble going to sleep early still, too even though I am dead tired and want to. And thank you so much!! 🙂
catherine gacad says
that is the sweetest post that all of us can identify with! i cannot believe the insane hours i used to stay out until, or how little sleep i could get by on. i figured i could always sleep in another time. and i agree, i would not trade that life for my mother’s life even though i had so many challenges with franco’s sleep. still do!
Janine says
Aw, Catherine I know exactly what you mean an still wouldn’t trade any of it at all, too!! 😉