My good friend recently posted on her Facebook wall that she had taken a quiz that gave a bit of insight in to her mothering style. Of the sixteen possible styles, her answers showed her to be Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging - A ‘Responsibility’ Mother. As I read the description – adapted from the book MotherStyles: Using Personality Type to Discover Your Parenting Strength – it was very clear that the strengths described fit that of my sweet friend.

I was curious and couldn’t help but wonder in which style my answers would categorize me. Am I the ‘Action Adventure’ Mother? Or, maybe the ‘How To’ Mother?

After answering a series of questions in four separate sections, I was given my results. I am the classic ‘Independence’ Mother. Honestly, I never would have described myself as such, but as I read the list of strengths and struggles I had to admit that most of them were pretty spot on. In fact, I laughed out loud at a few of them!

The ‘Independence’ Mother

Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving

Strengths

Energetic spontaneity. “Always” ready to drop what she’s doing for an outing or new experience, she’s seldom bogged down with day-to-day “drudgery,” bringing a breath of fresh air and a new perspective to any situation.
Encouraging independence. She creates and supports opportunities for her children to be out on their own, mastering their independence.
Teaching. A wonderful teacher of “life,” she sees every activity and moment in the day as an opportunity for children to learn about life and expand their minds.
Tolerance and acceptance. She lets children do their own thing and refrains from pigeon-holing them. In action and words, she demonstrates respect for self and others.

Struggles

Inactivity. With her need for action, variety, and independence, she finds it draining to be homebound. She may also find it difficult to adjust to children who are slower paced than she.
Clingy children. If she has a child who is physically clingy or emotionally needy, she may worry that he or she will never be independent or self-sufficient.
Household routines. Impatient with the details and schedules of day-to-day living, she may struggle to carry out daily routines. She may let mundane chores turn into mini-crises… and end up doing laundry at 2 A.M. when there’s no clean underwear.

What’s your mothering personality type?
Take the MotherStyles quiz at FamilyEducation.com
I’d love to hear about your results and whether or not you agree with the assessment!

{ 10 comments }

I have never been to nursing school or had any formal training as a doula or midwife. I am not a child psychologist or family counselor. I’m not an expert in pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or raising kids.

I have been pregnant 5 times, birthed 6 babies, breastfed all of them, and am now raising five boys and a little princess. So, I guess I know a thing or two.

Perhaps I know a bit about transitioning from the honeymoon “it’s-all-about-us” phase to the “oh my gosh, we’re having a baby” and “surprise, there are two! now what do we do?” shock of a lifetime.

I could know a bit about very little time spent “dating” before you had virtually no together time when the babies and diapers came into the picture. Or, about how important it is to make time for each other. Now, even more than before.

Mastitis and engorgement are no strangers to this mama… I know both well, but found many ways to curb the pain and discomfort.

Oh, and I’ve weaned 6 babies, potty-trained 5 (well, Ben trained himself, but…), have worn babies in various contraptions, can stave off a kiddo’s cough, make the boo-boo all better, and know the most effective way to show love and discipline to each of my six very different mannered children.

But, I’m no expert.

.