“That Mom” vs “Bat Mom”

As an early childhood Academy Director, I often have parents, mostly moms, ask to meet with me. Through the years, I know this usually doesn’t mean they want to tell me what a great job I am doing but none the less, I am always happy to oblige.

This week alone I had four of these requests (at least). As expected, all were to share concerns. On Monday, it a was mom of a preschooler. She was concerned because her son no longer wanted to come to school. Her theory was maybe he had no friends or it could be a personality conflict with his teacher? The next mom was upset because her infant child was not eating every two hours as she wanted him to. She didn’t understand why our nursery caregivers couldn’t get him to eat on schedule? Another was worried that her toddler was being bullied because when her grandpa picked up the day before, he witnessed another little boy (toddler) pushing her. Lastly there was a concern about potty training. Would her soon to be 3 year old ever stop going #2 in his pants?

All of these moms shared something in common. Every mother shared a different concern. Every mother had a valid concern. AND, Every mother started the conversation the very same way, “I don’t want to be that mom, but…..” There it was, and I always have to catch my breath when I hear it. Their doubt, their worry about being labeled, and their hesitation to speak up and reach out with their concerns for their child. They don’t want to be “that mom”.

“That Mom”. What is that mom? Who is that mom? Why are they worried about being “that mom“. A mom concerned for their child? A mom who has noticed something going on with their child? A mom who wants to do everything within her power to help their child? A mom reaching out for answers for her child? “That mom”?

Well, dog-gone it, I let them know right away, I don’t call them “that mom”. I call then “Bat Mom”, that’s right, Bat Mom–you know the superhero. That’s right they are using their very own super powers to do good for their child and to obtain whatever their child might need.

“Bat Mom” is their child’s biggest advocate.

“Bat Mom”, like Batman relies on his “genius level-intellect and detective skills” among his many other tools to do good.

“Bat Mom” is a genius when it comes to her child. She knows them best and their radar goes up when something just isn’t right.

“Bat Mom’s” detective skills are sharp (and trust me they will need these skills to be very sharp during the teenage years). They will seek, search, research and use all means necessary to meet the needs of their child and protect them from “evil”.

So please, next time you feel like “that mom”. Put on your cape, pick up that bat phone or jump in the bat mobile and go forth. YOU are your child’s personal super hero. Never doubt your need for clarity or answers when it comes to your child. They need you.

As a Director, trust me, “Bat Mom” is my favorite type of mom. I know when she shows up in my office she has her cape behind her and she is there out of pure love and concern for her child. I love seeing her and I encourage her to never stop. She is the one person who will always have their child’s back, the one person who will provide that unconditional love and that my friend makes her a true SUPER HERO. “BAT-MOM”

“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me” — Bruce Wayne/Batman