Are You an Alpha Mom?
What is an Alpha Mom? As described in a March 2007 USA Today article, Alpha Moms are "educated, tech-savvy, Type A moms with a common goal: mommy excellence ... she views motherhood as a job that can be mastered with diligent research." To encourage this pursuit of maternal greatness, Isabel Kallman has started a TV network called Alpha Mom TV which seeks to help mothers in their quest for perfection. Ms. Kallman was featured in 2005 New York Magazine article, in which her parenting style (she has numerous nannies and others to help her in child-raising) was called to question.
Ms. Kallman discusses how she came up with the Alpha Mom TV concept. "As a new mom, I couldn't trust my own instincts," Kallman told USA Today. "I sought information on how to take care of my child, but I couldn't find anything on TV." Alpha Mom TV programs focus on topics such as child nutrition and sleeping for those seeking parenting guidance.
While this information may be useful in some sense, child development experts such as Dr. Benjamin Spock extol the virtues of relying on maternal instincts in parenting, even when unsure of exactly how to proceed. Dr. Spock states on his website that "all parents do their best job when they have a natural, easy confidence in themselves." According to Dr. Spock, there is no right answer in making parenting decisions. Dr. Spock continues that "we know for a fact that the natural loving care that kindly parents give their children is a hundred times more important than their knowing how to make a diaper fit tight or just when to introduce solid foods."
The Alpha Mom approach to motherhood has led to backlash from so-called "Beta Moms" such as Susan Konig who "fall short" from the Alpha Mom goals of excellence. Beta Moms are more apt to embrace their imperfections and laugh at the daily trials of motherhood than worry about the latest parenting trends. Whether an Alpha Mom or Beta Mom (or somewhere in between), mothers everywhere have yet another Mommy Wars topic to discuss with the addition of this new phenomena.
Published by C.M. Paulson
C.M. Paulson is a versatile writer and analyst with extensive business experience working for 2 Fortune 100 companies. View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentGreat article and I have Alpha Mom tendencies that I fight..!!
I'm definitely a Beta mom! Great article.
I think it's more important to learn from older family members than from studies. But I'm a Beta mom.
I looked this up when you referenced it in the forum -- I was expecting something way different! But at least I know I'm not an Alpha Mom, particularly when I look at the four loads of laundry I need to do today. Perfection is overrated. Heather B.'s got it going on.
Well, this is very thought provoking. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle too. I like Stephanie's remarks. I never want my daughter to feel like I only love her when she is perfect. No one is perfect, there is no such thing as a perfect mom or a perfect child, but we can all strive to be our best.
I think I'm somewhere in the middle there. I research everything to make educated decisions, and I try to do things 'right' but I don't sweat it if I can't be 100% perfect.