There was once a time when I felt like a shy new mom, terrified at the idea of my parenting skills being scrutinized by others. I envisioned myself as a laid-back mom with well-behaved kids (ha!), believing that I would avoid the chaos of tantrums at the grocery store or mishaps at the park. I thought these challenges were not part of my parenting journey.
However, motherhood had other plans for me, and I’ve grown indifferent to outside opinions. Today, I embrace my role as an outspoken, protective mom who isn’t afraid to voice my concerns whenever necessary – and I genuinely don’t care what others think.
Just last weekend, my children attended a birthday party at an indoor pool. With winter in full swing in Maine, the idea of splashing around with foam noodles sent them into a frenzy of excitement. Before we even arrived, I laid down the rules in the car, stating, “Listen up, kids, while we’re there, no running, no tossing things, and stay close to the other children in the party, okay?” I received eye rolls and nods alike; my children are quite accustomed to my pre-party briefings.
An hour into the festivities, I found myself clapping my hands to get their attention over the noise of fifty other kids enjoying the water. Using my serious mom voice, I called out their full names. They paddled over, and I warned them, “If I see you dunking each other again, we’re leaving, got it?”
I noticed a few disapproving glances from other parents, but here’s the reality: I’m responsible for those two little lives in the water, and I will do everything I can to ensure their safety, even if it means being the mom who occasionally has to bark orders.
When my eldest daughter comes home upset because older kids on the bus are teasing the younger ones, I’m the mom who picks up the phone and contacts the bus company. I refuse to let my child suffer in silence due to the antics of a bully.
I have strict rules in place for my children. They’re not allowed to play with toy guns that resemble the real thing, and they must ask for permission to snack outside of the fruit bowl. They haven’t been exposed to the barrage of toy commercials since they only watch educational programs. My responsibility as a parent is to filter out the unnecessary distractions and present them with content I deem appropriate.
I don’t enforce these guidelines to be unkind; instead, my goal is to ensure my kids have a secure childhood that fosters their growth and development into well-rounded individuals.
So when I hear about a child at school throwing punches, even if it’s just “rough-housing,” you can bet that the teachers and other parents will hear from me promptly. If my kids show signs of illness—like fever or fatigue—they stay home. Any hint of a genuine ailment, not just a clever excuse to skip school, means they’ll be snuggled up on the couch with a blanket.
I admire moms who live by the philosophy, “I’m not your friend; I’m your mother.” I relate to that sentiment wholeheartedly. My children are only young for a limited time, and my mission is to keep them safe while providing every opportunity for them to thrive. I want to be there for them as they navigate their formative years.
Ultimately, I’m a protective mom because, like any loving parent, my priority is to keep my kids safe and secure for as long as possible. My role isn’t to befriend other parents or to seek popularity with my children; my mission is to be the Capital “M” Mom.
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In summary, I embrace my role as a protective parent, determined to provide a safe and nurturing environment for my children. While I may be judged by others, my focus remains on their well-being and growth.