Well, I have a confession to make. I am a PTA mom.
Yep, that’s right I am one of THOSE moms. I have been apart of the PTA for 3 years and honestly I have, for the most part, enjoyed my experience. I have loved the opportunity to be more apart of my kids school and overall our PTA is really great at making our school a better place.
But, as my time has gone on I have come to realize that not only am I apart of an organization of parents that are working together to improve the school but I am also living out highschool all over again!
You remember what it was like, the girls of highschool. Just imagine them in adult form!
The Cheerleader-
Go PTA! This mom LOVES the PTA and LOVES to get everyone else on board to LOVE the PTA too. She will tell you how awesome you are at anything you do as long as it supports the PTA. She is all about growing numbers, has a PTA wardrobe for everyday of the week, and will encourage nothing but fun while in the PTA! Give me a P give me a T give me an A what does that spell? PTA!
The Loaner-
She sits in the corner all alone and just huffs and puffs over all subjects but does not care to speak up. She also complains that no one talks to her but puts forth zero effort into making friends. She simply comes to the meetings to find another reason why she does not have friends at her kids school but doesn’t care to do anything about it. By the way this mom is not a fan of the Cheereader mom. That is way too much spunk for her.
The Ditz-
This mom, bless her heart, tries really hard but can just not get it together. She has a heart of gold and is ready to help but well, quite frankly she is just not all there!
The “Regina”-
We all know this mom really well. This is the mom that thinks she runs the show and that the school is lucky to have HER. This mom lives, eats and breaths to be the reigning PTA mom of the century. You better watch out for this mom and not get in her way or she will run you over. This mom is the true mean girl of the PTA and has her own groupies to prove it.
Cool Girl-
This mom is a mom that is truly there for the right reasons. She is a moms, mom and has genuine friends. She is likeable, fun and easy to get along with. This mom steers clear of drama but is good at keeping her friends close and her enemies closer. This is the mom that teachers love and other moms envy. She seems to have her life together without being too perfect.
The Gossip-
This is the mom that all other moms run from when they see her coming. This mom starts every sentence with “girl did you hear that (fill in the blank).” She always has all the newest dirt on every other PTA mom and cannot wait to tell you. This is a tricky mom because she is great at making you feel like she’s your friend but just wait you might just be her next topic of juicy conversation!
So, here we are in another stage of life, another stage that repeats the past. I guess the main question I have for myself is what am I going to do different?
No matter what mom we are, we are all ultimately there for our kids and to improve our schools (even those moms that are not just like you).
Ha! The sad thing is, I have a friend at the gym who is 84. Yes, 84. She lives at an assisted living place and she said this never ends. Even there they have girl drama, they’re fighting over boyfriends, trying to be the prettiest or most popular and gossiping up a storm.
Well, this is certainly a lot to look forward to when my kids reach school age! Haha
Good thing you’re the cool mom
Huh, I wonder which mom I am….
I just got voted PTO (we don’t do PTA, long story)… president, much to my shagrin…
Maybe I should put a poll out to my PTO peeps. 🙂
funny post. 🙂
If the Cool Mom keeps her enemies closer I’d like turn in my title. 😉 Cool Moms don’t invest in those Regina crossover moves!
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I understand this feeling. I am sometimes annoyed by the politics and personalities within PTA. It is easy and even natural to try to categorize each other in these ways because it functions as a kind of short hand allowing us to access our experience with “these kind of people”, however as adults we can also realize that people aren’t that simple or one sided. If we want to relate to, work with, respect and be respected by women, as a women we should aim to see beyond these types or labels. I know it can be funny to look at things this way and even be a way to navigate social situation, but ultimately I believe it is damaging to our organizations, our communities, and our selves.
I’ve been on PTA for 7 years. One thing that has been helpful to me when I struggle with a personality that irritates or upsets me for some reason is to look for a positive quality and then try to focus on that aspect of the individual’s involvement with the group. I won’t often become closer friends with that person, although it has happened!, but I will be able to have a more productive and respectful relationship.
Labeling has its place as a shorthand to help negotiate social situations but ultimately has a huge downfall if we don’t look beyond it. Let’s respect and empower each other to be our best selves!