Are You a Type A, B or C Mom?

You’ve likely seen the type A vs. type B mom trend on social media, and you probably at least have an idea which one you are. You also might be annoyed with society putting moms into boxes all the time. Can we live?! Go pick on the dads for once. (To be fair, dads can obviously be type A or type B too!)

But what if we saw being a type A mom, type B mom—or the newly conceived type C mom (a hybrid of the two)—as a sort of superpower? If we looked at being “hyper-organized” or “too spontaneous” as strengths and used them for our advantage as parents? After all, in a society where it often feels impossible to “get it right” as a mom, it’s important to take pride in our parenting wins.

“I’m the mom who packs the diaper bag the night before an event, keeps backup outfits for everyone in the car and starts prepping for holidays months in advance,” says Jess W., a self-proclaimed type A mom of two in Nephi, Utah. “Planning ahead helps keep my stress down and allows me to be more present with my kids.”

It’s time to take back the labels and celebrate being type A, B and C moms! We’ve talked to therapists and real parents to explore the characteristics of these types—and help you wield your mom superpower.

What’s the Deal With Type A Moms?

Type A parents are the ones creating schedules and routines, which provide their family with consistency and predictability. They may institute rules on everything from bedtimes to play dates to what their kids eat. They’re comforted by order and control, which helps them feel more at peace.

Paige Connell, a social media creator and gender equity advocate, shared a post listing things she does as a type A mom that might not be relatable to a type B mom, like creating a laundry schedule and color-coding her calendar. In it, she says, “I’ve always been type A, and since becoming a mom, I’ve found that routine and structure just makes my life so much easier, and this is how my brain works.” Like many moms participating in this trend, she says she’s not claiming that her parenting style is the only correct one—it’s just the one that works best for her.

While planning and structure help type A moms find calm amid the chaos of parenting, there’s also potential for burnout. Type A moms can struggle with the weight of their long to-do lists (especially if most of the labor falls on their lap). “Type A moms usually carry a quiet fear of messing up or not doing enough,” says Allison Barton, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in San Diego. “In therapy, we often talk about where that perfectionism came from and how to make space for rest, joy and ‘good enough’ parenting.”

What’s the Deal With Type B Moms?

In contrast to type A parents, type B parents tend to go with the flow more and prioritize “doing life” over doing everything “correctly.” They’re either way too busy to control all the things, or they don’t really care about the details.

Although a type B mom’s home might not always be perfectly tidy, it’s bound to be tons of fun. My neighbor bestie growing up had a type B mom, and her house was a kid paradise. There was an obstacle course in her living room at all times, and we got to eat all of the Fruit by the Foot we wanted. (Gummy bear mom alert!) It was a dream.

Social media creator Chrystelle Brucker makes posts that embrace her type B mom ways in hopes of helping fellow type B moms do the same. “Just run around—it’ll be warm,” she says in one post after realizing her kids’ sweaters didn’t quite make it to the outdoor play date. Next, her kids, who seem to be having the best day ever, happily frolick off to the playground. (Honestly, what kid willingly wears a sweater anyway?!)

Type B moms often thrive in the present moment, but can also struggle with feeling like they’re not doing enough. Barton says they “can also feel self-doubt, especially when surrounded by more type A parents. They can feel guilty for their inconsistencies or for not doing ‘what everyone else does’.” However, she encourages type B moms to own their spontaneous ways without all that mom guilt. “We usually focus on reconnecting with their values and letting go of the idea that there’s one ‘right’ way to parent,” she says.

What’s the Deal With Type C Moms?

The term “type C mom” was coined by social media creator Ashleigh Surratt. She didn’t identify as a type A mom or type B mom, so she invented the type C concept to describe parents who are structured with some things and flexible with others. “The type C mom is organized, but also embraces the spontaneity and chaos of motherhood,” says Salina Grilli, LCSW, a psychotherapist based in New York City. “Many type C moms would formally relate to the type A personality type, but have worked on detaching their self-worth from results. I often refer to this as the ‘recovering perfectionist’ subtype.”

A type C mom may have strict bedtimes, but lax rules about sugar consumption. She may have a color-coded calendar, but forget to put things on it. “As a mom of three, I live squarely in type C territory: organized enough to keep the wheels turning, but flexible (and unhinged?) enough to pivot and laugh when life predictably goes sideways,” says Caroline G., mom of three in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Social media creator Carina made a post showing a day in the life of a type C mom. There’s order and realness—she calls it “type A aspirations with a type B reality.” In the post, she shouts to an off-camera child: “Your shirt’s not hanging up, but it’s clean—I know exactly which pile it’s in.” That sentence sums up my own experience as a mostly type C mom. Sometimes I’m on top of things, and sometimes things are on top of me. It’s balance (or burnout?). Either way, letting some things go helps me find peace.

Although type C moms are the most “middle of the road” of the bunch, they can still struggle with feeling like they’re not “enough”—especially if they’re former type A personalities who feel comforted by tidy labels. “These moms have learned to practice self-compassion, live in the gray and embrace uncertainty,” says Grilli. “[But] the type C mom still struggles with anxiety, self-doubt and wondering if [she’s] doing it right.”

Type A vs. B vs. C Moms: Which One Are You?

While we should celebrate all types of moms, finding out which type you are can be fun in a Cosmo-quiz way. Follow the arrows in our flowchart to see whether you’re more of a type A, B or C mom.

While deciding on your “mom type” can be comforting and empowering, self-labeling can also be limiting at times. After all, we’re all fluid and ever-changing, and we show up differently in different contexts. Whether you most identify with being a type A, B or C mom, what’s most important is that you celebrate your unique you-ness and hold space for those who are doing it differently. After all, being a mom is hard work no matter how you approach it.

“We’re all doing the best we can as moms, and there’s beauty in type A, B and C styles of parenting,” says Grilli.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.