Read this article published in Infobébés and Infocrèche magazines.
Motherhood is a funny adventure! It’s with stars in your eyes and dreams in your head, rich in your strengths and weaknesses, that you become a mother. Her mom. But which mom?
The unique combination of your history, your culture of origin and your sensibility has, over time, shaped the mother you are today. Each mother is like a Monet painting, rich in a multitude of different character traits.
With this test, we invite you to discover the dominant traits of your personality as a mother. At the end of the test, have fun tallying up the totals and find out just what kind of mom you are!
But beware, as you know, we all have a bad tendency in test situations: to tick the answers that seem ideal to us, and not those that really characterize us. Yes, we all like to have a good opinion of ourselves! But don’t pretend. Just be yourself! So ladies, pens at the ready! Ready to go? Get set!
Q1. You’re taking your little Ilaria to nursery school when she starts crying in the auxiliary’s arms. The clock is ticking, you’re going to be late!
♠. You apply the course of action that just yesterday a shrink friend advised, give a thousand and one recommendations … and leave.
♣. Against the advice of the auxiliaries, you take off your shoes and go to play with your daughter, among the other children.
♥. You’re already fifteen minutes behind schedule! Too bad, you trust the auxiliary, it’s her job after all. You leave.
♦. Whether your boss is expecting you or not, it makes no difference. She’s got to get used to this change of life! You give her a few kisses and leave.
Q2. What would please you most is if your loulou became an adult…
♦. Respectful of others and good manners
♠. Conscientious and meticulous
♥. Determined and ambitious
♣. Spontaneous and generous
Q3. A friend confides in you that her youngest child’s incessant tantrums are beginning to get on her nerves. You advise her…
♣. Try to decipher the reason for his tantrums
♠. To go with her little wolf to a specialist for advice
♦. To be less lax! After all, it’s not normal for a baby’s whims to put his mother’s spirits at zero!
♥. Leave the little one in the care of daddy or the nanny for a weekend of thalassotherapy with friends!
Q4. You and your little family are having a lively evening at home with friends. It’s after 9pm and your youngest child has to go to bed. But he refuses and throws a fit…
♠. You meticulously apply all the bedtime rituals as advised, and turn on the little ergonomic nightlight that sits enthroned above his bed.
♣. You leave your friends a little surprised, and go to lie down beside your little darling. Yes, you’re a mother hen, so what!
♥. You ask daddy to put him to sleep and if that’s not enough, it’s no big deal, he’ll go to bed a little later.
♦. You explain to your child why it’s necessary for him to go to bed, then gently but firmly accompany him to his room.
Q5. What would sadden you the most? If the auxiliary called you one morning and told you that your child…
♠. Stole one of his classmates’ little red truck before forgetting it in the corner of the room!
♥. Several times let himself be hit on the head by a child… much younger than him!
♦. Gave the canteen supervisor a Bruce Lee-style kick for not getting her extra mashed potatoes!
♣. Scratched the face of one of his little buddies just because one of his little buddies asked him to.
Q6. Do you breastfeed your little darling…
♠. At the breast, for all the benefits the specialists tell you about, or with a bottle if they prove to you a + b that artificial milk is even better than yours!
♥. To the bottle, otherwise you’ll feel like you’re losing your femininity and independence.
♦. Breast or bottle, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s done at set times. There’s no question of letting yourself be overwhelmed by the demands of your little stomach on legs!
♣. At the breast and when he wants it. No unnecessary frustration!
Q7. You’d like to organize a romantic evening for yourself, your first since the birth of your son two years ago. You need to choose a babysitter…
♣. Against daddy’s advice, you postpone the party from day to day until you’ve found the patient, loving nanny recommended by the Queen of England herself!
♦. You ask people around you to recommend a young woman to you well-bred, with a certain authority.
♥. You ask a specialized organization to provide you with the contact details of an experienced nanny.
♠. You meet with several nannies and choose the one you feel is the most meticulous and knowledgeable about your child’s needs.
Q8. When it comes to caring for and raising your youngest child, your father is…
♠. Present, because it is written nothing beats the love of both parents to munch life to the full!
♣. Not much present, but it doesn’t really bother you while it’s small
♦. Present, because the father figure is synonymous with authority and balance
♥. As present as you are, it’s 50/50! And it couldn’t be any other way, since you have as busy a professional schedule as he does.
Q9. Christmas is coming?
♠. You choose the few toys that will best accompany your loulou on the paths of awakening
♦. You choose one or two pretty toys with care. You don’t want your little one to be covered in a mountain of presents, like a child king!
♥. Is it Christmas already? No time for you to go shopping! It’s up to the nanny to unearth beautiful and generous gifts.
♣. You choose simple, traditional toys, knowing deep down that the only thing he really needs… is his mommy!
Q10. On the eve of his twelfth birthday, your little Nicolas, now all grown up, unexpectedly brings home a girlfriend for the first time…
♦. You don’t mind as long as it respects certain rules. You’re old-fashioned and you assume it!
♠. You give a tense smile and run off to ask advice from a friend who knows teenagers like the back of her hand!
♣. Aïe aïe aïe! The fact that this young girl has meddled in your son’s little heart affects you a little. You run off to watch a video of him as a little boy!
♥. You’re rather proud that your little Nicolas has managed to seduce such a pretty young girl! You give them a warm welcome.
Every culture has its own nursery!
As you know, a baby will not be raised in the same way in Northern Japan as in Sub-Saharan Africa, each culture having its own conception of childhood and parenthood. A veritable Ali-Baba cave! While more traditional cultures emphasize the fusion between mother and child and the use of ancestral mothering techniques, Western culture encourages individualization and the use of mothering techniques promoted by child specialists! It’s worth noting in passing that the various situations in this test take place in a Western cultural context (crèches, baby-sitters, etc.).
Max from ♠: Conscientious but worried mom!
Sensitive to your child’s development, awareness and comfort, you’re looking to surround your little one with a state-of-the-art environment: state-of-the-art bouncers, elaborate educational toys, organic carrot purée and Bisphenol A-free baby bottles. You want the best for your child, even if it means breaking the piggy bank! You’re also a goldmine of practical information on how to nurture your child, and don’t hesitate to expand your knowledge by reading specialized books. Your bedside book? Baby’s secrets »! You feel that knowledge of child development is advancing rapidly, and that it would be a real shame not to take advantage of this to perfect your baby care. As the specialists (shrinks and doctors) advise you, you’re always careful to give your little one a certain amount of autonomy and to encourage his individualization, so that he becomes a real little man. For you, having a child means being thoughtful and conscientious.
However, you may sometimes feel a little anxious about your child’s development and the way you go about it. Have a little faith in yourself, and don’t forget that loulou’s resources are incredibly rich! Following the advice of the pros is a good thing. But don’t forget to ask the elders too. Certain ancestral techniques are invaluable for Baby’s well-being, as are traditional mothering practices. Take a step back, and remember that the answers to some of your questions can be found… deep in your mother’s heart!
Max from ♦: Structured, disciplined mom!
Your child’s education is of the utmost importance to you! The last thing you want is for your little one to become a child king, capricious and disrespectful of rules, like the neighbor’s son whom you hear throwing tantrums from morning to night! You maintain a minimum distance and don’t give in to his innumerable whims. Yes, you’re the one who sets the rules! You’re a firm believer in thoughtful, appropriate discipline. You trust his many resources and his healthy development. Dad, of course, has a key role to play in this story: as a symbol of power and authority, he helps to preserve your little one’s living environment and good upbringing. The two of you make a great team! But be careful not to be too distant and authoritarian. Your child’s development sometimes requires a little flexibility and… a touch of madness!
Max from ♣: Fusional and non-conformist mom!
You act according to your own desires and conceptions of parenthood and encourage the fusion between you and your little darling. You may even turn to traditional mothering techniques, such as those used by mothers at the other end of the world. Your goal? Meet his every need, and surround him with lots of love. In your eyes, your child is a fragile, vulnerable little creature who needs to be nurtured to grow strong and stand on his own two feet! Conflicts with your little one? You surround him with even more gentleness, otherwise he’s likely to feel even worse. You avoid frustration as much as possible. Besides, in your eyes, a baby cries because he has a need, not because he’s having a tantrum! Does your way of nursing not follow the advice of the « specialists »? So what! What’s wrong with that? You’re the specialist! You’re in the best position to know what your child, the flesh of your flesh, really needs! You’re wary of hearsay…
But be careful! The magical fusion you have with your little one may well sideline daddy, who has a key role to play in his development. Don’t forget that your child needs the affection of both parents to become a real little man! Make sure you give your child enough space and autonomy. He’ll need it if he’s ever to stand on his own two feet!
Max from ♥: Mum… but above all woman!
You believe that a « good mother » should be fulfilled, and you don’t want your role as mother to encroach too much on your role as wife. This is important for the couple’s development, and for your little one’s too. You’re confident in his many resources and don’t hesitate to delegate your role as mom a little, if the opportunity arises. As a result, dad is probably just as involved as you in the upbringing and nurturing of your little fellow. You’re organized and your schedule is timed to the minute! You’d like your child to become as combative and determined as his mother. Need a break? You don’t hesitate to plan an outing with your girlfriends and entrust your little one to the nanny. You’ll be all the more relaxed and in tune with your child.
But be careful not to stray too far from your little darling’s needs. Don’t forget that you’re still his primary object of love, and that nothing beats the tenderness, availability and affection of his mom to help him live life to the full!