I think I might be "That Mom," and I'm proud of it!

It was School Spirit Week at the girls' daycare this week, which means the teachers, directors and kiddos were all welcome to participate in different themed days. Monday was Mismatch Day, Tuesday - Crazy Hair Day, Wednesday - Pajama Day, Thursday - 80s Day, and Friday - School Spirit Day in honor of the big MSU/UofM game tomorrow. Annie's class also did a book sharing week, where the kids were invited to bring a book every day to share with their friends. When they sent the notification home last week that these events would be happening, as a self-proclaimed geek, I was super stoked about it and immediately started thinking about how I could have the girls participate.

I'm proud to say that my girls fully participated in every theme and also Annie's book sharing for the days they were at daycare (Annie goes to Grandma's on Wednesdays, Eloise on Thursdays) with the exception of Eloise and Crazy Hair Day, well, because the poor girl is still pretty bald. I even asked Annie's teachers if they'd like me to send multiple books with her to share with any friends that might not have brought a book.

Maybe it's because I have 2 girls and dressing them up is fun. Maybe it's because I have wanted to be a mom my whole life so I eat this stuff up. Or maybe it's because I'm just a nerd, but I figured every parent would be just as thrilled about Spirit Week! I was really excited to see all the cute little kiddos and how they sported the day's theme. Imagine my surprise when the other kids' participation in Spirit Week was sporadic, at best. (Disclaimer: This is not a blog post about judging other parents. I know everyone has their thing, and some parents' things don't include participation in Spirit Week. Mine does.)

My realization that I might be one of only a handful of parents attempting to have my kids participate every day of Spirit Week was on Monday: Mismatch Day. I figured there would be kids everywhere in clashing clothes, because come on - it's like the easiest day aside from pajama day! You don't have to put ANY thought into if your kids clothes match. I sent Eloise in a pink and white striped shirt and red and cream Christmas pants with this Fair Isle type design in the print. She looked like I was blind when I dressed her and I thought it was awesome. I forgot to take a picture though, otherwise you'd have been able to see the awesomeness yourself. When I dropped her off, she was one of the only babies, if not the only one in her class that was so mismatched. The other kids looked adorable as always in their normal, perfectly coordinated outfits. Annabelle was in a striped pastel shirt and pants that had hearts all over them. Again, another hot mess. I was really looking forward to pictures throughout the day to see what the other kids in her class were wearing, so imagine my shock when I saw this picture, basically showing her as the ONLY kid in her class participating in Mismatch Day (faces not shown so I added the arrows):

This was just Day One. The rest of the week went somewhat the same. I knew Crazy Hair day might be a stretch for some, especially the babies since most don't really have a lot of hair (hence why Eloise didn't really participate). Annabelle totally rocked her Crazy Hair. She's got a bit of a mop top on a daily basis as it is, so I knew I had to find a way to step it up for her. Pigtails for the win. Annie wasn't there on Wednesday, but Eloise was adorable in her monkey jammies. This day obviously had a lot more participation, and I loved it! Thursday was by far my favorite day, as I dressed Annie in leggings, leg warmers and a side ponytail for 80s day (Eloise was at Grandma's)! Today was the last day - School Spirit Day, and there was very good participation today as well. Annie wore her pink Notre Dame t-shirt, and Eloise wore a cute Spartan shirt with jeans.

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As you can see, I was all over Spirit Week, and noticing that my kids were some of the only ones that dressed up EVERY DAY, I realized this: I think I'm THAT Mom. You know, the one who gets super involved in school stuff for her kids. The one that any time there is something with a theme, she gets all excited inside. The one who packs extra books with her child to share with friends that might have forgotten one. Yep, I'm That Mom. I know a lot of people out there, and maybe you're one of them, that find That Mom annoying. That's ok. Heck, sometimes I find myself annoying too! But I am not going to apologize for it. I'm That Mom, and I'm proud of it. There will be events at daycare and school in the future that I will miss because of work, especially this year year because I had to use all of my time off during maternity leave. So when I get the chance to be involved in this way, I will take it. Every. Single. Time. And I love that I do.

Everyone has their opinions on parents, especially if they have kids in school or daycare. There is a lot of pressure to participate in their events. But don't participate too much, because then you're "the annoying overbearing Mom" (aka That Mom). But make sure you "make an effort" to do something even though it's during your work hours because you want your child to know you're involved, right? I could go on and on listing what I've heard you should and shouldn't do when it comes to involvement in your kids' school or daycare, and I think it's all a load of crap.

Parents, there is no One Right Way to be involved in your kids' lives. What's important at the end of the day is that they know you love them. You Do You and find your own way to parent, whether you're the Cool Mom (or Dad - I didn't forget you, Dads, but I don't feel like writing out "or Dad" every time), the Fun Mom, the Strict Mom, the Crunchy Mom, the Hippie Mom, or That Mom - or anything in between. Whatever Mom or Dad you want to be, be it. And be proud of it. That's what your kids will remember.

I'm proud that I'm That Mom.