The "Yummy Mummy" Syndrome

the "Yummy Mummy" Syndrome

There was a photo on the front page of the Herald recently of a victorious Sonny Bill Williams looking awkward as his new 18 year old girlfriend kissed him on the cheek after he had won his boxing match.  What disturbed me about this photo was the girl’s mother sitting beside her and looking on as this well built 26 year old was being congratulated by her daughter.  The mother looked like she wanted to be the one being kissed.  In other words, a cougar planning to steal her cub's food!

It’s no secret that the mother is a local so called “A” lister, but does she have to act like she would rather be Jamie’s sister than her mother?

It seems to be a recent phenomenon, this image of “yummy mummies” dressing up and going out clubbing with their teenage daughters. Yes, she does look great.  She looks after herself and good on her, but isn’t there something a bit “yucky” about wanting to act like her child’s sister rather than her mother?

Call me old fashioned, but I do feel that a line has been crossed.  I know us boomers had the distant military upbringing, which is understandable given our parents experienced WW2 and the Korean War.  So our generation bonded a lot more with our children and are definitely a lot more engaged with them than I ever was with my parents. Of course, I’m flattered when strangers tell me I look more like my children’s sibling than their mother, but I don’t take it seriously.  It’s pretty obvious to anyone with half way decent eyesight that I’m the older one by far.

However, this next generation of women who are the “yummy mummies” seem desperate to be their daughters BFFs (best friends forever).  What I want to know is who’s not letting go here?  I don’t think it’s the daughters.  What happens when these gorgeous young daughters grow up and want to leave home?  Will their mothers be like us – sad that they are leaving the nest, but happy that they are making their own way in life and also secretly feeling guilty because we now have the freedom to do what we like and we like the thought of that?  Or will they desperately hang on to their gorgeous young things, keeping them in a gilded cage so they themselves can continue to live their sad lives through their daughters? 

My wise 28 year old just informed me that it’s attention seeking on the mother’s part and, you know, I think she’s right.  Why else would these women act and dress like their nubile daughters?  The sad thing is that the daughters will grow up and then what.  I have this vision of the mother clinging onto her daughter and the daughter desperately trying to shake her mother off so she can move on and live her own life.

After all, isn’t that what growing up is all about?  Finding your own way in life, making your own mistakes, falling down and picking yourself up.  As my friend Raewyn often says “Life’s not for the faint hearted”.  Don’t we know it!

Here is a a list of 10 mother and daughter celebrity BFFs (best friends forever) as published on Stuff.co.nz

As Sonny Bill Williams knocked out American Clarence Tillman, his new girlfriend Jaime Ridge and mum Sally could be seen enjoying the view from ringside seats.  Jaime, 18, the daughter of former league star Matthew Ridge, seems to be tight with her mum - they regularly appear in the social pages together and Jaime has modelled Sally's underwear designs.

They've inspired us to put together a list of 10 mother and daughter celebrity BFFs (best friends forever).

1. MADONNA AND LOURDES
The queen of pop and her 15-year-old doppelganger are so close they've been clubbing together. Lourdes is following in Madonna's footsteps, already appearing in music videos and launching her own clothing line.

2. THE KARDASHIANS AND KRIS
All you need do is turn on the TV to see how close these four women are. Mum Kris may argue with her daughters from time to time, particularly Kourtney and Khloe, but she keeps Kim on a tight leash.

3. SARAH FERGUSON AND DAUGHTERS
The Duchess of York is no stranger to scandal, most recently being caught selling access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew. But nothing can break her royal ties. Fergie is regularly seen hand-in-hand with daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, who stand in line to the throne, on nights out.

4. SALLY AND JAIME RIDGE
Sonny Bill Williams' love interest and her mum are often in the public eye together, attending soirees in Auckland. They dropped in on Williams while he trained for his recent fight.

5. DINA AND LINDSAY LOHAN
Mum Dina looks almost identical to Lindsay, matching her hair and makeup to that of her troubled 25-year-old daughter. The two get along so well, they don't mind partying and kissing inappropriately in public.

6. DEMI MOORE AND RUMER
Rumer, 23, and Demi seem to be part of a tight family, with father and ex-husband Bruce Willis always appearing in pictures as well. It's no wonder Rumer has reportedly found Demi's recent breakdown "tough to deal with".

7. RACHEL HUNTER AND RENEE
New Zealand's favourite model and her daughter with ex-husband Rod Stewart have been sharing the spotlight, recently featuring in a Pantene commercial together.

8. LISA-MARIE PRESLEY AND RILEY
Elvis Presley's daughter and granddaughter continue to keep his name alive, with both posing for the cover of Vogue. Riley, 22, is now a model after making her debut in 2004 for Dolce & Gabbana.

9. SHARON AND KELLY OSBOURNE

Kelly and her brother Jack have not always gotten along, but she is close to mother Sharon. The two have something to celebrate, as Jack is expecting his first child with fiancee Lisa Stelly.

10. GOLDIE HAWN AND KATE HUDSON
Goldie and Kate have walked the red carpet together and particularly like hanging out at baseball or basketball games. The two look like sisters, which Kate says is an "honour" as her mother is the "epitome of beauty".
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