Motherhood often feels like a club where nobody’s quite sure of the rules—but everyone has an opinion.
You’ve got the Pinterest moms, the crunchy moms, the workaholic moms, the soccer moms, the Instagram-perfect moms, and a whole lot of us somewhere in between, wondering which camp we fit into (if any).
Spoiler: It doesn’t matter. Because here’s the truth: There’s no wrong way to mom.
I’m a Little Crunchy—and a Little Not
I’m what you might call “semi-crunchy.” On any given day, I’m somewhere between a mindfulness guru and a corporate professional with a packed schedule. For instance:
- When my youngest gets overwhelmed or unruly, I take her outside to “ground herself”—literally. We sit in the grass, breathe in the fresh air, and break the cycle of frustration. It’s like a reset button for both of us.
- But I also expect my kids to be independent. When they’re old enough, they learn to make their own breakfasts and clean up after themselves. I’m raising adults, not just kids.
- I want to eliminate as much processed food as possible and teach my kids where real food comes from. We garden. We shop mindfully. But let’s be honest—sometimes we still hit the drive-thru after a long day.
- I drive a nice car. Because I like it. And I’m allowed to.
See what I mean? I don’t fit perfectly into any one “type” of mom—and that’s the point. Most of us are walking contradictions, and that’s okay.
The Mom Spectrum
Here’s the thing: Motherhood isn’t a competition or a test. It’s a spectrum.
And wherever you fall on that spectrum—you’re doing just fine.
- The Crunchy Moms: They make their own baby food, grow their own vegetables, and probably have kombucha brewing on the counter. They’re incredible, and I admire their dedication to natural living.
- The Pinterest Moms: They bake school snacks that look like woodland creatures, plan the perfect birthday party themes, and somehow always have matching outfits for family photos. They’re magic.
- The Working Moms: They’re up at 6 a.m. tackling emails, managing meetings, and juggling after-school pick-ups. They’re the superheroes who somehow fit 28 hours into a 24-hour day.
- The Hot Mess Moms: They love their kids fiercely, but life’s a little chaotic. You might catch them at the grocery store in pajamas, but hey, everyone’s fed and alive—and that’s what matters.
- The In-Between Moms (most of us): We’re a little crunchy, a little Pinterest-y, a little bit of a hot mess, and a whole lot of “just doing our best.” We care about mindfulness and convenience. Balance is the name of the game.
The beauty of motherhood] is that we don’t have to pick a side. You can compost and still buy Lunchables. You can teach your kids about mindfulness and expect them to hustle a little when life gets busy. You can be the mom who does yoga in the morning and binge-watches reality TV at night.
You’re allowed to be all of it—and none of it.
Let’s Break the Judgment Cycle
Somewhere along the way, we’ve been tricked into thinking that moms need to fit into neat little boxes. And worse—that we have the right to judge moms who make different choices.
Here’s a revolutionary idea: What if we stopped?
What if, instead of whispering about the mom who bought store-bought cupcakes, we said, “Good for her for showing up.”
What if, instead of rolling our eyes at the mom who packs organic kale chips in her kid’s lunch, we thought, “Wow, she’s doing what works for her.”
We’re all playing the same game here. Some days, you’re the Pinterest mom with perfectly sliced fruit in bento boxes.
Other days, you’re tossing a granola bar at your kid and calling it breakfast.
Both are valid. Both are enough.
Motherhood Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Your version of motherhood doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It doesn’t matter if you’re crunchy, professional, chaotic, or a mix of all three.
What matters is that you’re showing up.
You’re loving your kids. You’re teaching them to respect themselves and others.
And maybe, just maybe, you’re grounding yourself right alongside them—literally and figuratively.
So here’s to all the moms on the spectrum—whether you’re sipping kombucha, driving your SUV to soccer practice, or microwaving leftover pizza for breakfast.
You’re doing great. Keep showing up, exactly as you are.
Last modified: December 18, 2024
