What kind of Mom are you?
- kelseywalters02
- Oct 7, 2023
- 5 min read
We come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. As a mother, we are not always related to our children by blood, some of us have been chosen or adopted as mothers.
There are many different ways to describe a mother and I'm sure I won't be able to capture every one of those ways. Not only is there different ways to describe mothers but many different types of parenting we do as mothers.
Have you every thought of words that describe your mother, you as a mother or any other moms in your life? Let's ponder a few together: caregiver, mentor, nurse, doctor, guide, hard worker, parent, protective, resourceful, smart, worrier, kind, and the list goes on...
The goal no matter what type of mother you are or your mother is, is to honor all mothers and motherhood.
Here are the 10 types of moms we all know and love!
No. 1 “Goes by the Book Mom”
The typical, but not always, first-time mom. I know this was me as a first-time mom.
This mama will not waiver from the rules on the recommended amount of sleep, food, or infant Tylenol a baby should have. Constantly worried and anxious that she may do something wrong, or her baby may accidentally eat something off the floor. She knows exactly when babies first tooth should appear and in what order, and ensures that baby has a blanket to sit on because baby’s clothing bottom cannot touch the ground (ok, maybe I wasn't this bad but pretty close and that's totally ok!).
No. 2 “Go with the Flow Mom”
This mom is usually calm and unfazed by a little rash or unexplained crying fit (complete opposite of our No. 1 Mom!). Sometimes she is a little too laid back, baby eating sand and getting licked by a strange dog, might be kind of gross?
This mom, is fully composed when there is a diaper blow out or she is spit up on, that’s what babies do, right?!
No. 3 The “Perfectionist” Mom
Surprise! This one’s a trick, the perfect mom doesn’t exist. No one is perfect! If you think you know a perfect mom, you just don’t really know her well enough. She will show as she has it all together, will never complain, is always dressed stylish and well put together, has a completely clean, Pinterest worthy house, well behaved kids 24/7, and a fully involved spouse. Ha!
No. 4 The “Helicopter” Mom
This mom is known for being extra and over-parenting. She will start by trying to minimize any potential risks to her child (this is called fear-based parenting!), all the way to overstepping boundaries when her child are now adults. Hovering over almost every aspect of her children’s lives.
The term "helicopter parent" was first used in Dr. Haim Ginott's book by teens who referred to their parents as hovering over them like a helicopter.
No. 5 “Free Range” Mom
This parenting style is not for everyone, and that is completely fine. It’s all about finding a balance!
A “Free-Range” mom allows her children to learn and explore independently (with limited supervision). She will step back when her children face problems, only offering advice and support when necessary. She believes in natural consequences.
No. 6 The “Guilt Free” Mom a.k.a Me-First Mom
I think we are going to all agree, we need a little more of this mom in our parenting styles.
The Guilt Free Mom will go on weekend getaways with friends, go to the gym regularly, and even have hobbies! But she doesn’t feel the least bit guilty. She leaves her very capable husband or partner to carry out at least half of the child-raising and household load. She loves her kids (of course!) but doesn’t lose herself in being a mom. When you ask how she does it, she laughs and shrugs. “I just do!” You would hate this mom if she wasn’t so nice.
No mama, making yourself a priority is not selfish.
No. 7 The “Granola” or “Crunchy” Mom
This mom is living as naturally as possible with a fully holistic approach. She is often found using essential oils and cloth diapers, baby wearing, shopping for organic groceries, bed-sharing, and using alternative medicine. Most moms, including myself, use a few “crunchy” choices in our parenting journey, but doesn’t make us fully a “crunchy” mom. We are called "Scrunchie" moms-see more below!
We may not always see eye to eye with it’s our “crunchy” moms but when we have tried everything and need a new teething remedy, this mama always has our back!
No. 8 The “Type-A” Mom
This mom spends her days juggling projects, signing her kids up for new activities, and rushing from place to place for pick-ups and drop-offs. She may have it all together, or she may just strive to, but she wants to give her kids as many opportunities and experiences as possible.
She’s always on time, loves her planner, and her diaper bag is overflowing with extra snacks, clothes, and diapers. She’s probably a Pinterest mom, making cool crafts and snacks (I wish!), and you can bet she always has a first-aid kit close by!
This mama will thrive on routine and balance, so she has to be careful not to overextend herself. But when she’s at her best, this mom is fun and filled with great experiences that her kids will remember for life. This mom can probably teach us all a thing or two about time management and being prepared.
(If you are out there mama, message me please, I could use some of your skills and advice!)
No. 9 The “Scrunchie” Mom
Scrunchie moms are meant to be the relatable middle, the “every mom” halfway between Crunchy and Silky (explained below!). The #scrunchiemom has found footing with women who don’t see themselves as extreme, but it’s also met with an eye roll — yet another invented label to pit mothers against one another. (Ugh!)
Characteristics
Lets the kid(s) watch six hours of movies on a lazy Sunday or a hard Tuesday
Makes incredible chocolate chip cookies, but sometimes they have honey.
Breast fed, bottle fed, formula fed, pumped, dumped, as long as baby was fed.
Keeps meaning to donate the bags of clothes sitting in her trunk (I see you mama, me too!).
She is happy with her choices for her family and is moving on from the mom trend discourse.
No. 10 The “Silky” Mom
Silky moms are "modern" and are "into using advances in science, medicine, and technology to aid her in her parenting," according to #urbandictionary. They follow "the advice of established medical authority; often tend to be working moms who rely on modern products for convenience and time management."
Doesn't sound so bad does it? Silky parents are the ones who are standing up to remind people that there's nothing wrong with doing what works for you and makes your life more convenient. That includes having medicated hospital births, using disposable diapers, sleep training, and bottle feeding.
This mom can be a little extreme-if crunchy parents exclusively use cloth diapers for their kids, silky moms are proud to use disposables (which there is nothing wrong with!).
If crunchy parents brag about only giving their kids essential oils when they're sick, a silky mom will rattle the bottles of Tylenol and Motrin in their faces.
If crunchy parents are anti-screen time, then a silky mom will happily park their kids in front of the iPad.
So, Maybe your a little bit of one, or all of of these moms.
Besides, most of us are combinations of some or all of these mom types, aren’t we? Of course, I’d like a little more Guilt-Free Mom. I’m working on it.
What type of mom are you?
AS A REMINDER TO ALL MAMA'S: Embrace your labels if you want to. Helicopter, free-range, laid-back, or old-school, every mom is awesome in her own way.
Let me know what kind of mom you are! Reach out to me guiltfreemotherhoodsociety@gmail.com.
Xoxo,
Another Mama
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