In honor of Mother's day, hosts Megan and Laura revisit their insightful exploration of mom archetypes from 2023 and add in a few modern mom types into the mix. But this episode isn't just about identifying mom types. It is about understanding the state of parenting in today's world. Laura and Megan tackle the hot topic of who the holiday truly belongs to. Is it for the moms in the trenches, navigating the daily chaos of child-rearing, or should it extend to MILs and moms who have raised their children?
A recent social media debate erupted when someone claimed that Mother's Day is for moms in the trenches and she did not want to go to her MIL's house or cater to her own mother. This stirred up backlash, igniting a debate. Laura points out that the devil is in the details, and the answer lies within specific circumstances for each of us. Factors to consider include the closeness of the relationship, how much you feel you already do for your mom or MIL, and your current family dynamics.
The reality is- Mother's Day isn't just about you; it's about celebrating the children you brought into the world, the person you co-parent with, and the people who raised you. The question remains- how do moms really want to celebrate? Do they need a quiet staycation by themselves, a trip to the spa or winery with a few of their closest mom friends, or a family brunch including your mom and MIL? The answer to this question lies in the current state of the union. Are you often pressured to attend family gatherings or uphold traditions of the prior generation? Maybe you want to start your own traditions or simply need a break from it all. After all, that's what Suburban Burnout is all about. Perhaps your mom or MIL have been especially helpful with the kids lately and you want to go the extra mile to celebrate her. Maybe you're in the thick of it with littles and all you need is a break. Or maybe your kids are older and you want to cherish quality time with them. It's all about perspective!
So, if this is not the year for celebrating with your mom or MIL, speak up in advance. It is okay to let them know that you need a break from the burnout and would love to celebrate with them another day.
Mother's Day serves as a reminder of the various roles and responsibilities that mothers juggle, and is an occasion to reflect on the different expectations and traditions that shape our celebrations. As we think about these dynamics, it's interesting to consider the diverse "mom types" we encounter, each bringing their own unique approach to parenting. In a recent Suburban Burnout social media poll, the helicopter and perfectionist moms were the most common!
Traditional Mom Archetypes:
Helicopter Mom- the over-protective mom who hovers over her children
Competitive Mom- the one-upper mom who can't stand being second-best
Hot Mess Mom- the disorganized mom who is traditionally a good time
Perfectionist Mom- the mom who excels at everything but sacrifices a lot to meet her goals
Work Out Mom- the health and fitness guru who never rests
Wine Mom- this mom is stretched out too thin and needs a glass (or bottle) of vino to unwind
Cool Mom- this mom is best friends with her kids
Crunchy Mom- this mom takes healthy living to an extreme and checks every label
Free Range Mom- the opposite of the helicopter mom, this mom let's her kids roam free
Modern Mom Archetypes:
Silky Mom- this is the tech mom who uses digital means to run her household, tracking everything on an app, and has the most technology-driven appliances to make her life easier. Laura jokes that she is the opposite of a silky mom because she doesn't want another app, login, or portal to access information. It's all too much!
Scrunchy Mom- this is a mix between a crunchy mom and a silky mom. This mom probably uses glass water bottles at home but easily adapts to using a plastic water bottle when circumstances call for easy solutions.
Almond Mom- this mom is the extreme health mom bordering on eating disorder and talks shamefully about eating.
PTA Mom- this mom will never let you hear the end of it, is at every meeting, and will beat a dead horse until changes are made. We all need a PTA mom in our lives but its best to remember not every cause is worth arguing.
2 Faced Mom- Megan coined this term and describes this mom as acting one way in public and another way at home when no one is watching.
As we traverse modern motherhood, it's important to recognize and appreciate the various mom types around us, each bringing a different perspective and set of strengths to the parenting journey. This Mother’s Day let's celebrate all the amazing moms who balance countless roles with grace, resilience, and love. Join us on Suburban Burnout for a dose of humor, honesty, and thought-provoking discussion on motherhood and the expectations on mothers, even on Mother's Day.
Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible moms out there—you deserve all the recognition and joy today and every day!
XOXO, Laura & Megan
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