Type C Mom: Why Being Caught Between Type A and Type B is Your Hidden Strength
Picture this: A professional behavior analyst standing in her kitchen, surrounded by four kids (including twins!), staring at her beautifully organized weekly schedule… while eating cold pizza for breakfast.
That’s not a failure of Type A or Type B motherhood. That’s the sweet spot of Type C - and it’s exactly where you want to be.
Let me guess… you’re nodding along because you’ve been there. Maybe not with the behavior analyst part or the four kids, but definitely with that feeling of straddling two worlds:
The part of you that craves systems and structure…
And the part that sometimes throws those systems out the window because, well, survival.
You create detailed plans while knowing they’ll probably change.
You buy matching containers AND have that one drawer of chaos.
You make chore charts… that sometimes collect dust for weeks.
And here’s the thing - that doesn’t make you scattered or unfocused. It makes you brilliant at adapting. Because real motherhood doesn’t fit into neat little boxes labeled “Type A” or “Type B.”
What Exactly Is a Type C Mom? (And Why We Need This Term)
Okay, let’s talk about this whole Type A vs Type B mom thing for a second.
You know the deal - everyone acts like you’re either that super organized mom with her themed weekly meal prep and perfectly labeled bins for every single Lego… OR you’re the totally chill mom who’s like “meh, we’ll figure it out” while serving cereal for dinner (again).
But here’s the thing… what if you’re kinda both? And also neither?
Like maybe you:
• Have a beautiful morning routine chart… that sometimes is only used once
• Created the perfect cleaning schedule… but haven’t checked it since Tuesday (was it Tuesday?)
• Bought all the matching containers… while maintaining your beloved “throw it all in” drawer
• Schedule everything… knowing full well plans are basically just suggestions
Sound familiar?
(I see you nodding while simultaneously organizing your pantry AND eating chips straight from the bag)
Here’s what I want you to know:
You’re not “bad” at being Type A or “failing” at being Type B. You’re Type C. And honestly? That’s where the magic happens.
Because Type C moms aren’t stuck in the middle - we’re creating our own path. One that actually works in real life, with real kids, in real homes where sometimes the system works perfectly and sometimes… well, sometimes we’re just proud everyone got fed and nobody lost a shoe.
Signs You’re Actually Crushing It as a Type C Mom (Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It)
Listen, before we dive into these signs, can we just acknowledge something? That constant back-and-forth in your head between “I should be more organized” and “I should be more laid-back” is exhausting. I know, because as a behavior analyst AND mom of four, I live that ping-pong match every single day.
But here’s what I’ve learned: Those moments you think you’re failing? They’re actually signs you’re nailing this Type C mom life.
You’re Crushing Mom Life When:
Your “Systems” Have Room to Breathe
You have a dedicated spot for everything… and a “special shelf” where things land when life gets real
Your weekly schedule is color-coded… except for that one week when everyone had the flu and Netflix became the schedule
Your meal plan includes both “Taco Tuesday” AND “Whatever’s Not Fuzzy in the Fridge Friday”
Your Flexibility Has Structure
You know exactly where the backup supplies are… even if they’re not in those pretty containers you bought
Your kids understand the bedtime routine… and also know sometimes we skip steps because mama’s TIRED
You have multiple backup plans… that you actually use without guilt
Your Priorities Are Clear (Even If Your Counter Isn’t)
The important stuff gets done… eventually
Your kids are loved… even when the laundry’s not folded
You know which battles matter… and which ones can wait until tomorrow
Your Reality Checks Are Strong
You buy the organizing supplies… but don’t beat yourself up when they’re not Instagram-worthy
You make the charts and schedules… while knowing they’re guidelines, not gospel
You aim for structure… but refuse to sacrifice connection for perfection
Your Mom Guilt Is Getting Weaker
You’re learning to laugh at the chaos… instead of fighting it
You celebrate the wins… without requiring them to be perfect
You’re starting to trust that your way IS the right way
The REAL Signs You’re Winning at Type C:
Your Kids Are Learning:
• That plans matter… but people matter more
• That organization helps… but isn’t everything
• That flexibility isn’t failure… it’s wisdom
Your Home Has:
• Systems that serve YOU (not the other way around)
• Routines that roll with real life
• Space for both structure AND spontaneity
Your Heart Knows:
• Perfect systems aren’t always perfect for your family
• Some days will flow, others will flop
• Both kinds of days are teaching your kids something valuable
Here’s the truth about being Type C: It’s not about being stuck between two extremes. It’s about being brave enough to create a third option. One that actually works for real moms, real kids, and real life.
Because let’s be honest - any system that doesn’t bend will eventually break. But Type C moms? We don’t break. We adapt. We evolve. We create something new.
And that’s not just surviving motherhood - that’s revolutionizing it.
Why Your Kids Actually Need a Type C Mom (And Why That Messy Middle is Actually Perfect)
Can we talk about something that keeps Type C moms up at night? That nagging worry that maybe we’re confusing our kids. That maybe they need us to be more consistent, more organized, more… something.
Our kids don’t actually need perfect consistency OR complete flexibility.
What they need is so much better. They need us - the moms who live in that beautiful space between structure and spontaneity.
Think about it. When your kids watch you create a routine AND adjust it when life happens, they’re learning something incredible. They’re learning that plans matter, but people matter more. That structure is helpful, but adaptability is essential.
Remember last week when you switched up the entire bedtime routine because someone needed extra snuggles? Or when you turned a failed morning schedule into an impromptu dance party? Those weren’t mom fails. Those were master classes in emotional intelligence.
Your Type C approach is teaching your kids lessons they’ll carry for life:
That it’s okay to make plans AND change them. When they watch you adjust your carefully crafted schedule because someone needs you, they’re learning flexibility without losing focus.
That systems can be helpful AND breakable. Every time you create a new organization method (and then modify it three times), you’re showing them how to stay organized without becoming rigid.
That imperfection isn’t just okay - it’s actually perfect. When they see you laugh off the failed meal prep and order pizza instead, they’re learning that life’s hiccups don’t have to be catastrophes.
Here’s what really blows my mind: Our Type C tendencies aren’t just making our lives easier - they’re preparing our kids for the real world. A world that doesn’t operate in extremes. A world that rewards people who can create structure AND adapt when needed.
So the next time you feel guilty about being “not Type A enough” or “not Type B enough,” remember this: Your kids don’t need a mom who has it all figured out. They need a mom who shows them how to figure it out as they go.
They need a mom who can teach them that sometimes the best plans are the ones we revise. That the strongest systems are the ones that bend. That the greatest success often comes from finding our own way.
They need you, Type C mama. Exactly as you are.
Because in a world that tries to put everything in perfect little boxes, you’re teaching them something revolutionary: That it’s okay to create your own box. Or maybe not even use a box at all.
And that lesson? It’s worth more than all the color-coded schedules in the world.
The Real Superpower of Type C Moms
You know what’s harder than being purely Type A or Type B? Finding the balance between them. Yet here you are, doing exactly that:
• Creating routines that bend instead of break
• Building systems with breathing room
• Teaching your kids that flexibility isn’t failure
• Making space for both structure AND spontaneity
Permission to Be Type C
Let’s be clear: You don’t need to be more organized OR more relaxed. You’re not doing it wrong by being in the middle. In fact, you’re doing something incredibly right.
You’re creating a home where:
• Systems exist but don’t rule
• Plans matter but can change
• Organization helps but doesn’t control
• Structure serves your family (not the other way around)
Your Type C Mom Pep Talk
Listen, I get it. You’re not just “somewhere in the middle” between Type A and Type B. You’re the mom who’s figured out something crucial that others haven’t: Real life doesn’t fit in perfect boxes.
But here’s the problem: You’re still…
• Second-guessing your flexible systems
• Apologizing for not being “consistent enough”
• Feeling guilty when you adapt your plans
• Exhausted from defending your approach
• Wondering if you’re confusing your kids
And I need you to hear this: That mental load? That constant self-doubt? It’s not just tiring you out - it’s stealing the joy from your motherhood.
Here’s What Changes When You Fully Embrace Your Type C Power
Imagine:
• Making decisions with confidence instead of guilt
• Having systems that actually work for YOUR family
• Knowing exactly how to handle judgment from others
• Feeling proud of your adaptable approach
• Raising kids who thrive on your balanced example
This isn’t just about accepting your Type C tendencies. It’s about leveraging them to create the family life you’ve always wanted - one that’s structured enough to feel secure but flexible enough to be real.
Why You Need Support to Make This Shift
Here’s the truth: Understanding you’re Type C is just the first step. But transforming that understanding into confident action? That’s where most moms get stuck.
Because let’s be honest:
• Books about rigid systems don’t work for you
• “Go with the flow” advice feels too chaotic
• Generic mom tips miss your unique needs
• Solo attempts at change often fall flat
• Real transformation needs real support
That’s exactly why I created my Type C Mom Coaching program.
Ready to Stop Struggling and Start Thriving?
If you’re:
• Done with the mental ping-pong between structure and flexibility
• Tired of feeling like you’re not “enough” of either type
• Ready to create systems that actually work for YOUR family
• Wanting to raise confident kids who understand balance
• Craving support from someone who gets it
Then it’s time we talked.
Don’t wait until you’re completely burned out from trying to fit someone else’s mold. Your family needs the real you - confident, balanced, and thriving in your Type C power.