What type of mother are you? Every mother has her own style; there are several parenting models out there. These mothering styles are not all-encompassing, but generally a mother will fall into one or a blend of these archetypes depending on her experience and preference. By recognizing the different possibilities out there, you’ll have the flexibility and knowledge to forge your own personal parenting style. Each mothering type has strengths that you can draw from, or flaws to learn from, depending on the situation and circumstance.

Organizer and planner
This mom approaches parenting as if it were her dissertation. She analyzes and evaluates everything related to her family, including what activities to engage in, when and where. Most likely you’ll find a neat and organized calendar in her kitchen synced to her electronic calendar on her smartphone or computer. She plans early, and every decision is thought-out and weighed. Organizers/planners research alternatives carefully and make their decisions cerebrally instead of emotionally.

Organizers/planners also run well-organized households. This mom uses her organizational skills to control and influence most external forces in her children’s lives. They adhere to strict routines to minimize delays and stress in the household. Household chores are also scheduled and dinners may be planned on rotation, too.

However, following a careful plan and having clearly defined goals can have its drawbacks. When something goes awry or things get out of hand, it can be especially disappointing and frustrating for these super-organized moms. Not to worry; these moms are the hardy types, hardwired to adapting and re-thinking parenting strategies. With the right attitude toward the unexpected, they can quickly bounce back from trips and falls and overcome surprises to take back control.

Coach and motivator
The coach/motivator mother is all about enthusiasm and lives by the motto “carpe diem!” She starts each day with gusto and purpose. Setbacks rarely faze her and she tends to maintain a rosy, optimistic view of life. She thrives on being busy and making sure her children are busy, too. She does not enjoy ruminative activities or idleness. She makes it a personal mission to articulate grand visions for her family.

While she is not as driven by planning as her sibling, the organizer/planner mother, she is not averse to setting down goals and following routines. But what sets her apart from other moms is her confidence and energy, and an overarching conviction of what needs to be done to take care of her family. She is not fickle and won’t spend much time writing down the pros and cons, but will often jump in head first, saying, “Let’s do this!” She trusts her gut instinct about everything. At home, the coach/motivator mom maintains fun over order, with an orientation toward a full roster of activities to keep all her kids engaged. She is all about not wasting a precious minute.

She doesn’t sweat the small stuff, focusing instead on the big picture when it comes to her family.