What is a Type-C Mom? Learn why recovering perfectionists are ditching the press

On Instagram, we joke about “hiding laundry in the bathtub” or “serving dinner straight from the pan,” but beneath the humor is a more profound shift in how millennial moms are redefining motherhood—and themselves.

Enter: the Type-C Mom.

If Type-A Moms thrive on structure and color-coded schedules, and Type-B Moms embrace go-with-the-flow parenting,

Type-C Moms exist in the beautifully chaotic middle. We want the structure, but we’re also learning to surrender to the mess of real life.

Type-C motherhood is the evolution of the recovering perfectionist—moms who once strived for control, but now prioritize connection, mental health, and “good enough” parenting.

What Is a Type-C Mom?

A Type-C Mom is typically:

• A former Type-A personality (think: overachiever, planner, maybe a little control-obsessed)

• Deeply invested in her child’s development, but no longer interested in martyrdom.

• Learning to tolerate “messy” moments, both literally and emotionally

• Choosing regulation over rigid routines

She may still color-code the calendar, but if the baby goes to bed in the same clothes she wore all day, she doesn’t spiral.

She might have once meal-prepped like a wellness influencer, but now? She’s realistic. Some days it’s organic vegetables, some days it’s frozen nuggets (and both are fine).

The Psychology Behind the Shift

This shift isn’t just a vibe—it’s a nervous system strategy.

Perfectionism is often a trauma response, rooted in early experiences of conditional love, control, or fear of failure (Hall, 2016). When women become mothers, especially in a culture that glorifies sacrifice and judgment, those tendencies can come roaring back.

But motherhood also offers a profound opportunity for reparenting—learning to show ourselves the grace and compassion we offer our kids.

A 2021 study in Maternal and Child Health Journal found that mothers who reported higher levels of self-compassion had lower levels of postpartum depression and anxiety. Self-compassion is antithetical to perfectionism, which is why many recovering perfectionists naturally start to shift.

Type-C Parenting in Practice

Here’s what Type-C parenting might look like in real life:

• Saying “no” to the Pinterest party, and “yes” to a chaotic park picnic

• Using paper plates without guilt

• Setting boundaries with your toddler and your in-laws

• Letting your child eat frozen waffles three days in a row—and survive

• Prioritizing your own therapy over finishing the baby book

Why It Matters

Perinatal and postpartum mental health struggles are often exacerbated by impossible expectations. Type-C parenting isn’t about lowering the bar—it’s about rethinking where the bar even came from.

By embracing this middle ground, we:

• Model emotional flexibility for our children

• Reduce burnout and maternal mental load

• Create more space for joy, connection, and attunement

And most importantly, we free ourselves from the belief that love = sacrifice.

The Takeaway

Being a Type-C Mom means allowing yourself to drop the ball, knowing that your self-worth was never in how many balls you could juggle.

So if you’ve ever:

• Cried because the diaper cream was missing (again)

• Wondered if your toddler’s snack of Pirate’s Booty counted as a meal

• Hidden a laundry pile behind a shower curtain...

  
  

You’re not alone. You might just be a Type-C Mom—and you’re doing better than you think.

Want to go deeper into this shift?

As a therapist who works with moms navigating the messy middle of perfectionism, postpartum identity shifts, and the mental load of motherhood, I offer both individual therapy and EMDR intensives for deeper healing.

Book a Consultation Call Here