Channeling June Cleaver for the Modern Mom
Growing up watching re-runs of Leave it to Beaver set me up for disappointment and self doubt later in life.
June Cleaver is my hero. Clean house, happy kids, and home-cooked meals. Ward, Wally and “The Beave� were served a hot meal and a smile every morning for breakfast. She was even polite and patient with the ornery, suck-up-of-a-neighbor kid, Eddy Haskell.
It’s hard to not feel like a failure of a modern mom compared to June. I realize that June Cleaver was a fictitious character, but she set a standard for me all the same. I grew up admiring her, but once I became a wife and mother myself, I realized how hard it was to emulate her.
Through careful analysis and contemplation I realized that June didn’t have any abilities or characteristics that I didn’t have. But, there was one very important detail I was missing. The one thing she was rarely seen without. The secret weapon that made her the mother of all TV mothers: an apron! She had one and I didn’t.
The missing ingredient seemed too simple to be true. Could it be that June’s super abilities as a happy homemaker came from wearing a perfectly tied apron? Why not? After all, what would Superman be without his cape? What would Cat Woman be without her whip?
I wouldn’t have believed it unless I experienced it myself. The purchase of a black and white, floral print apron changed my life. Trading my “mom uniform� of a bleach-stained t-shirt and yoga pants for a ruffled apron changed my attitude toward my home and my household responsibilities. I went from slacker mom to happy homemaker in the tie of a sash!
Amazingly, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to access my inner June once I donned an apron. I started to feel all “homemaker-y� and feminine. The once insurmountable pile of laundry seemed less daunting. Spending more than fifteen minutes to prepare a family meal became less of chore and more of a joy…sprinkled with love. I even put on a pair of heels and pearls and vacuumed the floor! I don’t want to say that my apron contains super powers for the modern mom, but MY NEW APRON CONTAINS SUPER POWERS FOR THE MODERN MOM!
Just don’t take my word for it. Take the June Cleaver apron challenge for yourself! Ditch the gray sweatpants and tie on an apron. Maybe you’ll be able leap the tallest mountain of laundry single bound.
X-ray vision not included.
Popularity: 21% [?]
I’ve got to get me one of those!!!
[...] claims ‘June Cleaver is my hero’Â in her latest blog over at Mile High [...]
So that is what I am lacking! Thank you for letting us know. Now I can really be the woman I want to be.
You rock Annie!
That’s it. I am going shopping TODAY!
Oh MY WOW!!
I’m goign to try it right now.
Did the Cleaver’s have a dog? I wonder what my dog will do.
I once went to a church class that talked about this very thing. They called it Dressing For Duty and talked about picking a uniform (or at least a dress code) for working in the home. Maybe that is why people used to “dress for dinner”, it was to get out of their work clothes. Thanks for the great excuse to go get a new apron.
Here’s a question for ya: did June buy or make her aprons??
Financial pundits are now scratching their heads wondering why the sudden jump in apron sales.
Melissa- I think she made some pies for a friend and in turn the friend made her an apron.
I got mine from Etsy.com from a seller named Bella Style. Tell her I sent ya, maybe she’ll send me the matching oven mit for free!
I don’t think June read any of Stephenie Myer’s books while doing housework. You are waaaay more talented than her!
I’ll have to take the June Cleaver apron challenge! You are a genius! :)
My late grandmother called me one day to chat. I happened to be baking something at the time and she remarked on how my apron must be dirty. When I told her I didn’t own an apron, she shrieked in horror and practically disowned me.
Two days later, there was a large envelope in the mail, from her. She sent an apron to me.
June and her ilk knew the power of the apron.
That super powered apron is Super Stylish too! Great post.
I thought you were going to say, “Vodka.”
Did you get the napkin rings before or after the apron?
That is one cute apron! I must have one… or three…
My Aprons are all from jobs I once worked…Fred Meyer, Excalibur Cutlery, and Tupperware. I think I need a frilly and feminine apron to make me feel better.
Truly though, one of my few childhood memories of doing house stuff with my Mom (surprisingly my Dad taught me most of my cooking skills) involved getting to wear one of her many aprons. I loved wearing one as a child…maybe I need to dig through her drawers and see if she still has any of them!
I love it! That supermom apron is beautiful…just like you! When I grow up can I be Annie?
Bad-The napkin rings came after the apron. Just another one of the postive effects of apron wearing, a nicely set table:)
Lauren- Yes, my young Padawan.
I had a steak business in the late 1980’s . I would take a load of meat each week down to the Navajo reservation and sell directly to the indians in Window Rock, Az. My mother who was always very supportive of my activities made me an apron of denim with these words artexed onto it: ” YOU MAY FIND BETTER PRODUCE BUT YOU CAN’T BEAT MY MEAT” THANKS MOM….LOL
sorry, I don’t buy it.
Lately I’ve had an overwhelming urge to take a bath with someone- and it’s not my husband
My apron is plain and bright red. My mom got them for me and my siblings in high school for when we frosted Christmas cookies each year. Now every time I put it on, I feel like I’m ‘putting on’ the wisdom of my mother. She has the homemaker (esp. cooking ) thing mastered!
Of course, I don’t go for wearing it when I’m not in the kitchen. Still, I go for the concept of “suiting up for duty.”
Anyone here a flybaby? The Flylady definitely endorses that whole idea:
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Shoes.asp
Seriously? I’ve noticed the same thing! When I wear an apron, I feel more efficient and things get done. Now I just need a cute ruffly one!
Annie, you never cease to amaze me.
My daughter and I have a peach apron made for us by a special friend back in the late 80’s. We had a catering business and we wore them when we prepared and served at our parties. I still have mine hanging in the closet; I am going to get it out and start wearing it today. Our catering business was called “Peaches and Cream Catering.”
Keep up the good work!
One day as I wore my apron, a friend’s three-year-old asked me what it was, “An apron,” I replied.
“What’s it for?” she asked.
“To keep my clothes clean.”
“My mama keeps her clothes clean with soap and water.” She retorted.
Ah the wisdom of youth….Annie you rock!
I’m a little worried about commenter Gretchen who said she spoke with her dead grandmother on the phone….
I don’t own an apron either. I made one out of a dish towel at a Super Saturday enrichment thingie but it just couldn’t cover all the woman that is Elasticwaistbandlady.
I was *just* at Target yesterday and noticed a section of aprons and how I don’t have one. Not that I cook all that often, but it would still be cool to own one! (BTW, I always loved June Cleaver!)
One of the best things about going to parties with older women, if you’re an apronless 20-something like me, is that you can get them to bring you an apron to wear for the party prep. :)
AFTER I READ THESE COMMENTS.I SAID I USUALLY WEAR SWEATS ETC AROUND THE HOUSE. THE LAST WEEK OR SO I HAVE BEEN WEARING A LINE DRESSES AND SOME FRILLY APRONS THAT HAVE COME DOWN THE FAMILY PIPE LINE. ITS AMAZING HOW FEMININE I LOOK AND FEEL. THE POSTMAN ETC HAVE BEEN GIVING ME SOME SPECIAL LOOKS. SOME OF MY GIRLFRIENDS THINK I AM CRAZY FOR WEARING AS THEY PUT A HALLOWEEN CUSTOM.