Beginning your motherhood journey can feel like entering scary and unknown territory. While you might not have all of the answers yet for the best way to be a parent, you definitely know the type of mom you don't want to be. Before you have kids, it's easy to snicker at the helicopter mom or recognize how unbelievably pushy another mama is being with her own child, and it's even easier to make yourself a promise to never act like that.
Whether you refuse to be anything like you "dear" mother-in-law or swear that you'll never become the stage mom, these are the types of moms that nobody wants to be and yet everyone has as a friend.
When it comes to anything — from how someone disciplines to whether or not they work — this mom always has an opinion and isn't afraid to share it.
As this mom aged, she might as well have taken up residency under a rock, because she clearly doesn't have the slightest idea about modern technology — terminology.
She might not realize that she's a total braggart, but this mom turns every statement into a competition and can't help but mention how she or her kiddo did it better, first, or faster.
This mom isn't just keeping her eyes glued to the kids to make sure her child doesn't get hurt — she's the first to get involved if another kiddo breaks the rules or to let the other moms know they shouldn't be on their phones.
Whether you avoid her at the grocery store because you know once she starts chatting it will be impossible to leave or you opt out of discussing problems with your kid because you know it will circulate through the PTA by the next day, you don't want to be like this chatty Kathy.
This mom takes volunteering to the extreme, to the point that it becomes her sole focus and is no longer fun for the other moms working beside her.
This mom considers herself an experienced pro and isn't impressed by other moms' problems or her third child's latest scribbles.
Nobody wants to be the mom who loses her cool in public and shouts at her kids in front of everyone — unless they really deserve it.
This mom might not have always been into sports on driving a mini van, but somehow her weekends became dedicated to cheering for her children and organizing the best sideline snacks.
Everybody knows this mom, but not a single person wants to be her. Luckily, their are other mamas who feel bad and will pick up her kiddo when she totally forgets or remind her about the bake sale that she volunteered for.
This mom has every second of both her and her children's days scheduled out down to the second and is completely dependent on that insanely organized calendar.
You grew up your entire life thinking of the things you would do differently and promising yourself that you wouldn't inflict the same "suffering" on your kids.
This mom isn't just proud of her accomplishments (even if it's just making it home from her yoga class before it was time to get the kids up) — she's just as excited to share them with the world.
This is the mom whose life revolves around her kids to the point that she struggles to hold a conversation without bring up her little one.
Excitedly attending every performance and concert is one thing, but interrupting every single practice with her cheers definitely makes the other parents cringe on the inside.
It might feel like this mom is living on a different planet because she is completely unrealistic but still expects everyone to do exactly what she says.
This is the mom that tries but despite her effort doesn't have the slightest idea what's really going on with her kids.
Nobody wants to consider herself a mean girl, especially when you're a grown woman, but those high school cliques still exist once you become a mom.
Whether you grew up with superstrict parents or watched your friends lie and sneak out because their own parents had unreasonable rules, it's easy to say that you're going to be more lenient until your perfect kids become teens.
There's never a question about where this mom is or what she's doing: no matter what, she's always found hovering over her child.
This mom swears that she's the cool mom, which makes it even more embarrassing for everyone else around her who knows the truth.
Even though she must have done something right, because she raised the person you decided to have kids with, the last thing you want to do is be anything like her.
While it's great that this mom is confident, it gets exhausting when she always has all of the answers.
Every parent aspires to be the most loving mom or dad out there, but this mama becomes blind to anything that doesn't have to do with her perfect tot.
Many working parents aspire to set an example for their children about hard work and following their passions, but many promise themselves that they won't become so engrossed in their careers that they miss out on their kid's entire childhood.
She's lost friends on both social media and in person because this mom just doesn't understand that TMI (all of the time!) isn't appealing — especially when it comes to her kids!
It's obvious to everyone who knows her or her kids that this mom just couldn't be bothered and might be present but her focus is definitely elsewhere.
It would be one thing if this mom had just too much on her plate to help out with the bake sale or volunteer to be the class mom, but she just isn't interested and everyone (including her kids) can tell she isn't making an effort.
While you still enjoy your cocktail or a glass of wine, this mom relies on her "mommy juice" just to make it through the day — every day.
Everyone unintentionally adopts cutesy lingo and a differently pitched voice when cooing to his or her tot, but this mom doesn't switch back after she puts her little one down.
Even if her child clearly tripped another kid and laughed, everyone else is wrong and her child is always right. End of story.