In many ways, I’ve been Dylan’s mother and father — from paying the bills to being his primary caretaker, both roles have been absorbed since returning to the workforce.
My 2-year-old son Dylan smelled like Oahu Coconut Sunset this morning.
I’ve developed quite an obsession with the Bath & Body Works’ fragrance line — and so has he.
In addition to being my toddler, Dylan fills the role of shopping partner, dinner date, sidekick and helping hand in just about every way.
When I’m picking out new candles, he sniffs them along with me, and his reaction determines whether I choose Tiki Beach or Island Margarita.
At DSW in Woodbridge — my go-to destination for cute shoes at a flattering price — Dylan flings the box top across the floor and happily hands me the patent leather pump I’m admiring, pointing to the color he likes best.
In CVS, he watches me scour the shelves for moisturizer and nail polish, attempting to remove the product lids so he can sample their effectiveness.
My son is quite the little assistant, very perceptive of his surroundings and a huge fan of hanging out with Mommy.
I’m getting the feeling that I need to scale back on the “girl time” though. Lately, he’s really been embracing the softer side of life.
Dylan loves watching me get ready for work in the morning, and he’s really trying to incorporate some of my beauty regimen into his own routine.
This is where the Oahu Coconut Sunset rises into the equation.
As I squeeze lotion from the bottle, he demands a few drops as well, rubbing his hands together and smiling as he lathers up his arms and legs.
He knows exactly where to find my eye cream and dabs some on his face just as I do.
When Dylan takes his fake razor out of the bathroom, he pretends to shave his legs, not his “mustache.”
Last week, I caught him walking around in just a diaper and my white, diamond-encrusted ballet flats, standing proud and making quite the statement.
He throws tantrums if I don’t share my hair mousse or allow him to pat his face with my make-up brush.
They say kids are like sponges — and Dylan’s appreciation for the “beautiful” things in life is very pretty proof of that.
My son has time with his father and grandpa throughout the week. He spends hours pushing his lawnmower, playing with firetrucks and assembling tracks to his Thomas the Tank Engine play set.
I try to provide a very balanced environment for him, but there’s only so much I can do.
Aside from my mother and father, he doesn’t witness a great deal of male-female interaction, and observing his behavior as of late, I think I need to be more cognizant of that.
Although the terrible twos have come into play, Dylan is an extremely sensitive, caring and affectionate child. He shares his food and toys, is my biggest protector and finds great joy in seeing others happy.
I love that about him, and it’s something that he should never lose.
In many ways, I’ve been Dylan’s mother and father — from paying the bills to being his primary caretaker, both roles have been absorbed since returning to the workforce.
It’s very important that my son grows up learning the value of independence, strength, self-sufficiency and thinking outside the box.
Maybe I need to step outside my pink, sparkly comfort zone of being the most “girly girl” along the Jersey Shore and spend some time getting dirty this summer.
Throughout my years at Monmouth Regional High School in Tinton Falls, I was varsity cheerleading captain but played softball as well — a dichotomy I greatly enjoyed.
I think I’ll put my stilettos off to the side, lace up my sneakers and show Dylan how to knock it out of the park.
After all, stepping up to the plate has always been my specialty.
Shari Puterman is the assistant regional features editor, a proud mommy and a lifetime Jersey Girl currently living in Matawan.
If you’re a “Working Woman” doing your best to balance it all and would like to be considered for an upcoming story, email sputerman@app.com.