When I started this business, I had 5 maternity tees. That’s it. I had a couple of color options but we were still only looking at five shirts. Now? I don’t even know. If I had to guess, I would go with around one hundred. And the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I had a woman walk by my booth at a craft show. She paused. “Mommy needs a cocktail,” she said. “That’s funny. I’d buy one but the words are too small.”

The thing is, that’s the point. That’s the crux of the whole thing. That’s the kick. Mommy Needs a Cocktail is a little feisty. No reason to go over the top and be all up in everyone’s face over it. It’s not MOMMY NEEDS A COCKTAIL. If you want to get all crazy, add the martini toast girl to it. Otherwise, it’s just a little joke to make you smile. It isn’t really about making everyone else laugh (or get all up in arms, depending on where you are).

Speaking of where you are, I got LOTS of feedback over a magnet I was selling at a craft show down south. It had a picture of the martini girl and the words, “Carpool day. Make mine a double.” It took three days of indignation and people slamming off before my sister was gracious enough to explain that people were offended. Apparently they were offended because they didn’t like the idea of someone driving carpool while drunk.

I was confused. My sister was shocked that that explanation had never crossed my mind. It never crossed my mind because I couldn’t imagine going to a bar at lunchtime, ordering a double and then getting in my car to drive random children around while intoxicated. Would you have thought of that? Beyond all the obvious things that are wrong with that, don’t you need the drink AFTER carpool? When was the last time you were at a bar at lunch time? I’ll bet it involved an airport. I pulled the magnet. There were clearly multiple people who didn’t “get” it (and weren’t willing to explain it to me but rather chose to freak out, yell at me and run off) so I moved on.

Every once in a while I will get someone who brings up the drinking and driving in relation to the Mommy Needs a Cocktail tee. My response is always the same. I can count on one hand the amount of times I have actually been able to have a cocktail outside my house since my children have been born. When was the last time you got out? And when you do, are you like me and are smart enough to bring a designated driver? Seriously. I’m a big girl. I know how to be responsible.

Sizing, colors and styles? We can go on forever. But we won’t. Sometimes you just have to make a commitment to your choices and make your apologies accordingly.

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