The 98 Moms You Meet Throughout the Year

Whether it's her first child or her last, the waterworks mom just can't stop the tears from spilling. Cut her some slack, hand her some tissues, and remind her that it's going to be a great year!

Her holiday is filled with comfort, joy, and a few mishaps. But she knows the only thing that matters is that she spends the day surrounded by family and friends.

She shows up at the weekend birthday party with an extra kid or two in tow, just assuming they can participate in activities with no regard for the price per head that the facility charges.

Her sickly tots are running around the place like whirling dervishes . . . but hey, at least she's out of the house, right? Source: Reddit

We don't know what it is about this mom, but she has a way with kids. Before you know it, she has all of the kids at the playground sitting in the shade for story time or doing a crafts project with the twigs she had them collect as she deceived them into cleaning up the park. She must be a former teacher.

She has enough booster seats for everyone on the team, and she doesn't mind the screaming, cheering, and otherwise rambunctious behavior of a carful of wild kids after a weekend-long tournament.

Don't worry if you forgot to pack a snack; this mom's got it all. Her stroller's basket is filled with goldfish, pretzels, baby-food pouches, extra bottles of water, and even an array of diapers in various sizes, just in case.

You can't miss this parent — she's hovering over her child like a sticky shadow, making sure her little one doesn't scrape a knee, nick a finger, or experience one moment of duress.

She sits in the corner by herself at every birthday party with an invisible wall around her so no other mom will even approach her. Source: E! TV

She takes every call seriously, so much so that you worry she might have a heart attack on the sidelines. From her screaming to throwing things, the last thing you want to do is cross this mom's path in the final moments of a game. Source: WiffleGif

The playground is this queen bee's runway. She knows all of the neighborhood moms will be there, so she won't step foot on the rubber, kid-safe surface without a fresh face of makeup and her coolest jeans.

You'll never hear her utter the phrase "Merry Christmas." She's a firm believer in making the holidays all-inclusive, no matter what religion you follow.

This mom considers Facebook to be her diary. She writes every stream-of-consciousness thought that enters her mind, often leaving her friends wondering what she's talking about. Or, based on her vague posts, wondering if everything's OK.

The waiting area may be standing room only, but her kid is the only one who matters. Trust her.

She has a to-do list longer than Santa's and doesn't know how she'll get it all done. But of course, she manages to check everything off with plenty of time to spare.

This mom's smartphone camera is always at the ready, and she must have the biggest storage plan out there because she's always taking pics of her kids and sharing them — always! Like when they're eating dinner, goofing around on the sofa, or just sitting in the car. Source: Giphy

She senses when a child is nervous and eases their concerns by reminding them that they don't have to be perfect — they just have to have fun! Source: Lifetime

No store-bought finds in this family's house! Everything from her food to her decorations was made by her own two hands and looks even better than the original pin. But be warned: she's not afraid to tell you if your DIY project is a total disaster.

She goes in to Target to buy three things, and only three things. But before she knows it her cart is filled to the brim. Now it becomes a game. Can she get out for under $100? You can spot this mom because she's hanging on every word the cashier says as they ring her up.

You often wonder if she has confused Facebook with her diary. She posts pictures of her baby's very infected diaper rash, shares all the details of her postbaby sex life, and asks if her vagina should look like that after labor.

She finds a way to sneak her kid into every photo taken at your kid's birthday party — especially the blowing-out-the-candles photo that you planned to display on the mantel.

She has a list in her hand, knows the lay of the grocery store land, and is set on getting in and out in record time. In fact, check her phone, and she may have her timer set to see if she can beat her last trip through the store. Source: Giphy

This mom is just looking out for the safety of everyone at the playground — even if it means telling your child that he's too big to be playing on the tire swing.

We're not quite sure where this mom finds the energy, but she turns everything into a learning experience — even the aisles of the grocery store. She makes the apples sing songs, has her kids counting the varieties of tomatoes, and more. We wish we were that creative! Source: A&E

She's usually sitting on the sidelines of her kids' games reading the paper, her book, or her iPad when whoosh — the ball comes out of nowhere and hits her.

She knows when both she and her kid have had enough and is ready to pull the plug on the whole afternoon — even if the cake has yet to be served at the birthday party. Source: WiffleGIF

Who needs a babysitter when you have an entire playground full of activities, according to this mom. You'll find her tending to her business (both personal and professional) on her smartphone while constantly responding to her child with, "Yes, I saw. You did great!"

Triathlons, dirt-filled obstacle courses, even weight-lifting competitions — this mom does them all, and she loves to share photos congratulating herself on her latest accomplishment. Source: Giphy

This mom may not have ever picked up a racket, but she knows everything there is to know about her child's favorite sport — including the field slang — even if she doesn't use the words properly!

She can be found next to the tot who's throwing a tantrum about having to perform on stage. Rather than pull her child from the show, she uses candy, TV time, and good old-fashioned pleading to convince them to get on stage.

Her stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and her tree looks like it came straight out of Martha Stewart Living. She greets you with a plate of holiday appetizers and sends you home with an impressive swag bag.

She's at the pediatrician's office so often she may as well get a job as a receptionist.

Her house smells like cinnamon, sugar, and all things sweet. She always adds a new treat or two to her long list of holiday confections, and you are more than happy to be the taste tester.

Her kid can do no wrong — he didn't knock over the little kids to race up the jungle gym, it must have been somebody else's tot. Right. Source: ESPN

She thinks she's the assistant coach, but she really isn't. She knows the roster backward and forward, knows the plays, and paces the field like it's her job.

You may never see this mom eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but as soon as they blow out the candles on the cake, she's the first in line for a slice, often bowling other guests out of the way so she can dig into the buttercream confection. Source: BuzzFeed Celeb

She's got an army of kids (each in a different class) and just can't keep them all straight. Between all of the kids and their supplies, she's just holding it together long enough to get the right kid to the right class with the right bag. Be sure to offer this mom a hand! Source: TLC

Whether it's for her husband of 10 years or a co-worker in the office's white elephant swap, she always manages to give the perfect present. And don't even get us started on her wrapping skills.

Sorry, doc. You might have a degree from Harvard, but she's got Google. And WebMD.

She's so busy concentrating on which products she's buying, she doesn't realize just how much her kid has put in the cart until she's in the checkout line. Then, watch out, because there's a good chance she's leaving most of those items behind. Source: WiffleGIF

This mom doesn't want you to think that she's become a fuddy-duddy since becoming a parent. To prove it, she posts pictures of herself all dolled up at the hottest spots in town every time she goes out. And let's not get started on her "check-ins." Source: Giphy

The minute her child takes the stage, she throws her hand in the air to get their attention. Sometimes it's returned with a wave, but it's more often met with eye rolls and groans. Source: The CW

Yeah, there's bound to be a hot dad on the playground, too. You know, the dad who not only looks great on his own but is even sexier because he's there with his kid, by himself, and having a blast. Even in this age of stay-at-home dads and equally distributed child-rearing duties, this dad stands out and all of the moms can't stop watching.

She knows that you all think you've been here before, but her 6-month-old getting his shots is just somehow a bigger deal.

She thinks her child is the most talented in the dance class and, as a result, demands the royal treatment. If she is denied, then be prepared for a Dance Moms-style brawl. Source: Lifetime

No, seriously, this mom doesn't care if her little ones eat dirt, fall down (gently), or roll around in the sandbox. In her mind, it all helps them grow, right?

She happily drives the kids to school, but she doesn't enter the building. You'll see her waving from the driver's seat.

You might find a magnifying glass in this mom's purse, because she's not going to let one speck of nonorganic, unhealthy ingredients enter her child's body. She's reading through a product's ingredient list like the Inspector General, so her kids best not try to sneak anything into the cart. Source: Giphy

Her cup runneth over with holiday spirits. And if you met her mother-in-law, you'd probably understand why.

She doesn't need to come with a grocery list because she's eyeing everything in your cart and wants to know which aisle you found it in, is it good, did your kids like it, etc. Source: Giphy

She looks at her kid's game time as her social hour, gossiping about the latest goings-on at school, in the neighborhood, and just about everywhere else. The hallmark of this mom is when her child comes over and says, "Did you see that hit?" and she automatically replies, "It was your best one yet!" though she didn't even know he was up at bat because she was so busy talking!

We admire this mom's ability to score a good deal, but we hate how long she takes at checkout. Source: TLC

To her, a bug bite is probably actually chicken pox, a runny nose means the flu, and an upset stomach means an ulcer.

Follow this mom around Costco on a Saturday afternoon, and she's got it all figured out — she knows which samples come out when and times it perfectly so she can have an entire meal made out of samples. Source: WiffleGIF

This mom looks at Facebook as her political outlet. From political rants to right- or left-leaning jokes, you might mistake her for her favorite candidate's political strategist. Don't get us started if you happen to disagree with her views. Source: Comedy Central

The kids are playing with a train set, she knows she's got at least 30 minutes to go . . . this mama's straight chillin'.

This is too much for her. The sick kids, the wait, the frustration. She's about to scre . . . OK, she's screaming now. Out loud. In the waiting room.

Everyone knows half the reason little kids play the game is for the snack when it's over. Thank goodness for the snack mom — she knows orange slices and granola bars are what the other moms want their kids to eat. But she also knows that the way to the kids' hearts is with doughnuts.

This mom treats Facebook like a therapy session. She posts about every parenting problem, from potty-training troubles to picky eating habits, as if she's the first one to experience them.

Yoga pants and jeans are usually the sideline-mom uniform, but there's always that one mom who takes it to the next level. From her beautiful scarf to her full face of makeup, she looks like she's starring in a Ralph Lauren ad rather than just cheering on her tot.

She's either the president of the PTA or wants to be. The politician mom is always at school with a big smile on her face, a clipboard in her hand, and sign-up sheets awaiting volunteers. She may even give you a cupcake for signing up!

Her kid tends to be the wildest on the jungle gym, but in her opinion, that's what playgrounds are for – getting your energy out. So don't expect her to discipline when her tot acts like a wild banshee.

You use disposable diapers. She says you're harming the environment. You and hubby had a baby-free weekend. She says you don't love your child. Don't try to win this woman over, because it is impossible.

She captures every moment of her kids' dance recital on her camera. Well, every moment that features her child. Source: Giphy

Need we say more? She manages to put on a happy face during the holidays for the kids, but inside, she's counting down the minutes till Dec. 26.

She's there every day and knows all of the kids (and their caretakers) by name. If you're new to the playground, don't worry, she's quick to point you in the direction of another mom/tot combo who has something in common with you!

This mom would rather be doing anything rather than parenting her child — and she has no qualms posting about it on Facebook.

Well, isn't that what we all are?

She performs her child's piece from her seat or on the side of the stage, just in case they forget a step or note.

She knows the words to every holiday tune and is proud to show off her singing skills — even when you beg her not to.

She drops dollars into the Salvation Army's bucket every holiday season, not pennies. She buys more toys for tots than for her own children. She volunteers at the soup kitchen in her spare time. She's basically a saint, and you should tell her so!

At 5 years old, her son was trying out for the travel team. At 14, there were already college scouts coming to see him. Not only is this mom's son the "best one on the field" (in her opinion), everyone has to know about it!

Someone didn't look at her calendar! You can often find this mother sprinting through the stores to find the hottest toys on her tots' lists (which, of course, sold out months ago).

Unfortunately, this is often the stay-at-home dad the moms don't know yet. They don't know what his "deal" is or why he's at the playground in the middle of the day, and he isn't that interested in their deals either.

She really didn't need to get anything at the store, but she needed some time off, so you'll find "the lurker" sneaking in a little extra time to talk on the phone, read a magazine, or simply catch up on her ZZZs in the parking lot while her partner's at home tending to the kids.

If you judged this mom based on her posts, her life is perfect. Her kids heap love on her, her partner is the perfect father, and oh, look at that, she just posted a picture of the shiny new bauble he brought home "just because." Source: WiffleGIF

For this mom, December truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Others may be put off by her cheer, but she doesn't let that get her down.

Her potato latkes are a little crispier. Her tree is a tad taller. And her holidays are just overall better. At least, according to her.

For this mom, unless it's a Pinterest-worthy party full of original ideas, it's not worth even commenting on. A fill-your-own-bag color-coordinating candy bar? That's so last year!

This mom is so into her kid's game that she actually thinks she's playing it. She dodges the ball, shoots the goal, and takes some practice swings as if she were in the lineup herself.

Her little one already went to one birthday party this weekend, so there's no way this mom is letting little Johnny have another slice of cake at this party. You can usually find this mom pulling a baggie of baby carrots out of her purse around the time the candles are lit on the cake.

Her moves are stealth. She drops her kid off at practice and picks her up without anyone ever seeing her.

You're so proud of your little one's accomplishments, but this mom has to let everyone know that her tot did even better. You tend to find this mama's handiwork in the comments section of your Facebook post, where she shares a picture of her child with his gold medal.

It is 10 p.m. on a Friday and this mom is grocery shopping . . . by herself . . . and she is thrilled! It's her first moment to herself in days, and she's going to milk it for all it's worth! Hello, bakery! Hello, coffee cart! Hello, wine aisle! Source: Bold Films

She has an older child in the school, so she knows EVERYTHING — and she's not afraid to let you know it! She knows how the principal likes her coffee, the best way to get to the cafeteria, and how to get on the PTA president's good side. And even if she doesn't, she'll tell you she does!

She still makes reindeer prints in the snow and signs her children's gifts from Santa, even though they are in their teens. For her, the holidays are all about keeping the magic alive.

These moms already have their own little clique and aren't really looking to make new friends. Don't even try to ease your way in.

She'll do anything to avoid a temper tantrum in aisle three. So you can expect this mom to be willing to open the package of cookies, offer her tot a squeeze pack of anything, or even take a trip down the candy aisle to avoid the dreaded meltdown.

Say cheese! The Annie Leibovitz mom has her camera, or smartphone, at the ready because she isn't going to miss a shot of her baby's first day of school. She might hold up the line as she sets up the perfect shot of her little one walking into the classroom, meeting his teacher, hanging up his bag, and more, but she'll have an album worth of photos to look back on forever.

This mom is just waiting for the classroom door to close on the first day of school so she can pop the Champagne to celebrate the kids being back in school. You can spot her because most of the moms are following her around like the pied piper! (Note: This mom really does exist. When I was a schoolgirl, she came to the bus stop with Champagne and strawberries for all of the parents. When the bus doors closed, you could hear the cork pop.)

This mom is never seen without her posse around her. If she sees her friends somewhere, she insists that the group gather round for a photo to prove just how tight they are.

Everything this mom does is Pinterest-perfect. Birthday parties, the kids' snacks, even the gifts she makes for the teachers. You know she's just doing what makes her happy, but she's making the rest of her Facebook friends feel inadequate!

You'll recognize this mom from day one. She's attached to the teacher's hip, asking if there's anything she can do, any way she can help, any worksheets that need ripping out from the workbook, etc. And while she seems like a real helper, all she really wants is a few extra moments in the classroom. Source: TriStar

She tends to be a new mom, who is functioning on only a few hours of sleep — at most. This is probably her third trip to the store, today, because she keeps forgetting one item.

No need to google your questions. This mom has read every baby book and visits every parenting site on a daily basis, so she's more than happy to supply you with answers if you post a question. If you dare to disagree with her, be prepared for a lengthy response, complete with a works-cited page.

Everything's better with a glass of wine, according to this mom. You post about your tot taking a Sharpie to your new purse, and this mom tells you to have a glass of wine to calm down. You post about feeling nostalgic as you pack away your toddler's baby clothes, and this mom tells you to have a glass of wine to wash down the tears. Whatever the issue, this mom's answer is a glass of wine. Source: Bravo TV

You've seen her name on your new-mom group emails, and she's Instagrammed pics of her baby, so you know she exists . . . it's just that you're pretty sure she's yet to actually leave her house. Source: Cartoon Network

Every mom in the audience takes on this role during the show. After all, we want our kids to know we're proud of them! Source: NBC