By Dr. Julie Ducharme
As a mom, it’s not uncommon to receive last-minute requests for costumes or hairdos, especially during school events or parties. In fact, it seems like people assume I can whip together a costume in under ten minutes just because I’ve owned an entertainment company for 23 years. Sure, my company is stocked with elaborate costumes, but that doesn’t mean I’m always ready to turn on a dime for an impromptu request. Yet, I find that when push comes to shove, moms have this incredible ability to pull off magic when it matters most. Whether it’s a last-minute costume or a creative school project, we somehow get it done—sometimes with grace, sometimes not, but always with love.
I used to think I wasn’t very crafty. I’d look at Pinterest creations and sigh, convinced that I didn’t have the skill, time, or patience to make things look that perfect. I would say things like, “I can’t sew” or “I’m just not creative.” But I’ve learned something important over the years: necessity really is the mother of invention. And when you’re a mom, you’d be surprised at the things you can pull out of thin air when the situation calls for it.
I can remember a moment when my child was younger, when being a mom required me to act fast and be resourceful. Let me paint the picture for you that some of you might be able to relate to.
It had already been a tough week—I was sick, the kind of sick that leaves you stuck in bed, completely out of commission. I rarely get that sick, maybe once every five years, but when it hits, it knocks me flat. This was one of those times. I had barely been able to do anything for days, but this morning, I was starting to feel like myself again. My husband greeted me in the kitchen with a smile and said, “My wife is back.” It felt good to be on my feet, but I was still moving a little slower than usual, trying to shake off the remnants of illness.
As we were halfway through the usual chaotic morning routine of getting the kids ready for school, my daughter, Abby, suddenly asked, “What day is it?” I replied, “Friday,” assuming that would satisfy her curiosity. But no—her eyes widened as she exclaimed, “It’s crazy hair day!”
Oh no. Crazy hair day. That fun but stressful school event where parents are expected to come up with some wild, creative hairstyle for their kids. I looked at the clock. I had maybe 10 minutes to pull something together, get lunches ready, and still manage breakfast. Challenge accepted!
I vaguely remembered seeing a cute spider hairdo on Facebook a few days earlier and decided to give it a shot. I wasn’t exactly sure how it was done, but I figured I could improvise. Running downstairs (more like shuffling, because let’s be real, I was still recovering from being sick), I grabbed my craft bag. Next, I rushed to find some colored hairspray and then went on a desperate search for bobby pins and rubber bands. By the time I made it back upstairs, I was slightly out of breath and sweating (don’t judge—it was more the lingering illness than a sign that I’m out of shape, I swear.)
With no time to make things perfect, I jumped into action. I threw Abby’s hair into a bun, grabbed some twisty pipe cleaners to create spider legs, and stuck them into the bun. I quickly sprayed the “spider head” with black paint, poked holes for eyes, and realized I didn’t have any googly eyes. No problem—I improvised with what I had on hand. I sprayed more color into her hair for effect and then paused. How was I going to get the spider to stay securely in her hair? Bobby pins! A few pins later, and bam—messy spider hair was complete.
Now, was it perfect? Absolutely not. Would it win any Pinterest awards for creativity or craftsmanship? Not even close. Martha Stewart would probably cringe at the haphazard execution of my little project. But you know what? Abby loved it. She beamed with pride when she looked in the mirror, and I’m pretty sure she had the most elaborate hair out of anyone at school that day. Her joy was infectious, and in that moment, I realized something important: kids don’t need Pinterest-perfect creations. They don’t care if their hairstyle looks like it came straight out of a craft magazine or if it’s a little messy around the edges. What they care about is the effort, the love, and the fact that you showed up for them.
I’m a huge fan of Pinterest—don’t get me wrong. It’s a great source of inspiration and creativity, but the pressure to make everything picture-perfect can sometimes steal the joy out of these small moments.
In reality, what kids will remember are the times you tried your best, no matter how chaotic or last-minute it was. They’ll remember the moments when you were there, sweaty, tired, and maybe a little stressed, but still doing everything in your power to make their day special. Those are the memories that stick with them. And someday, when they have kids of their own, they’ll be the ones pulling off last-minute magic, just like you did.
This may not have been my most polished mom moment, but it was a victory in its own way. Despite being sick, despite the time crunch, and despite the fact that I had no idea what I was doing, I managed to pull off a crazy hair day win. And that’s what being a mom is all about—showing up, giving it your best shot, and creating memories that your kids will carry with them for a lifetime.
