iStock.com/evgenyatamanenko
Introverts get a lot of flak. In comparison to our more outgoing counterparts, many people see us as withdrawn, quiet, and even downright boring. These definitely aren't qualities exhibited by most of the "cool moms." But, as an introvert myself, I have long held the belief that while my personality doesn't make me "better" than any other mom, there are some specific things about introverts that actually help us do a pretty amazing job on the mom-front. Here are eight ways introverts are killing it at this parenting thing.
1. We really know how to take advantage of time alone.
Every mom knows firsthand how difficult it is to find time for yourself when you're constantly running after kids, trying to keep some form of romance alive, and getting work done. It's damn exhausting. So when we introverted moms finally get some downtime, we push everything else to the side and fully take advantage of it. You won't find us wasting precious moments catching up on neighborhood gossip or organizing things for our mom group. Odds are, we're curled up with a good book or hunkered down on the couch with a crazy amount of snacks and the first interesting show we spot on Netflix. No shame.
2. We're great listeners.
A huge part of being a mom is being able to listen well. This doesn't necessarily mean that extroverted mamas are bad listeners, but introverts usually talk less than most people do, so we're kind of great listeners by default. This skill definitely comes in handy when your kid is having a major, 30-minute meltdown over the fact that his best friend shared his lunch with someone else at school. Just smile and nod.
More from CafeMom: Actually, It's Fine to Fight in Front of Your Kids — as Long as You Do 1 Thing
3. We never try to hog our kids' spotlight.
Not all introverted moms constantly shy away from the spotlight, but for the most part, our kids never have to worry about our making their birthdays all about us or hooting and hollering when they're on stage at their Christmas recital. We're pretty chill, and we think our kids definitely appreciate us for that.
4. We teach our kids to be independent early.
Most introverts are, by nature, pretty self-reliant. We usually prefer to do things for and by ourselves. That makes teaching our kids to be independent a little easier. We aren't constantly rushing to fill every single hour of every day with assisted playtime and endless talking. This helps them learn how to figure things out for themselves and feel comfortable being alone.
5. We are super imaginative.
When you spend a lot of time in voluntary solitude, you're kind of forced to develop a great imagination. This is especially great for kids. Introverted moms are always eager to teach our kids how to turn cardboard boxes into spaceships and how to imagine that a simple backyard is a forest full of exotic animals.
6. We play to our strengths.
Much like Ron Swanson, introverted moms know what we're about, son. Once we embrace the fact that we can't constantly be expected to interact and entertain, there's no turning back. We don't guilt ourselves for not loving playdates or not being the best hostess for our mom group. We are who we are, and we'll leave the "Life of the Party" title for the extroverted mamas.
7. We aren't afraid to say "no" to awkward playdates.
Even the most extroverted mom has probably experienced an awkward playdate or two. It's a cringeworthy experience, and one that we introverts are all too happy to avoid. We really have no interest in forcing ourselves or our kids into playdates that make both of us grumpy and bored to tears. Luckily, most introverts are truly skilled at getting ourselves out of an unwanted invite.
More from CafeMom: Why Getting a Divorce Made Me a Better Mom
8. We're able to spend A LOT of quality time with our kids.
The only thing introverted moms love more than spending time alone is spending time with our kids. And thanks to our general lack of interest in many social events, we get a lot of it. When we're able to just hang out one-on-one with our kids, it's pretty much heaven. It doesn't matter what we're doing — watching movies, reading books, trying to nap while they shove their fingers through our nostrils — we love it all.
