WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU?

Have you thought about what kind of mom you’ll be? Take our fun quiz, and see if you’re more tiger than helicopter.

1 IT’S DINNER TIME, AND YOU’VE MADE FISH, POTATOES AND VEG. YOUR PICKY CHILD ONLY WANTS FRIED CHIPS. WHAT DO YOU DO?

A Make chips, but only with organic potatoes, adding some organic butternut and sweet potato chips too.

B Make the chips, because you like eating them too.

C Discuss the benefits of fish as brain food, and vegetables as powerful antioxidants, and insist your child eat them for the sake of his wellbeing and growth.

D Tell your child that he’s not leaving the table until he has finished everything on his plate. It’s imperative he eats a balanced meal.

E Try to compromise – if he eats some fish and some vegetables, you’ll balance the meal with some chips.

2 YOUR SIX-MONTH-OLD BABY’S DUMMY DROPS ON THE FLOOR. DO YOU: A Lick it clean, because after all, that’s the most natural way to clean things?

B Buy another one, possibly even a cool Swarovski-crystal one.

C Dummy? What dummy? Dummies supposedly inhibit speech and development.

D Sterilise immediately, and ensure nothing enters his mouth that hasn’t been sterilised. E You give it back to him – you’ve done your research, and have learnt that it’s not necessary to clean or sterilise.

3 IF YOUR CHILD FORGETS TO DO HIS HOMEWORK, YOU THINK:

A “That’s okay. I’m sure he was practising yoga instead.”

B “It’s fine – he doesn’t like maths anyway, and we had fun jumping on the trampoline the whole afternoon before watching three movies together.” C “Shocking – I’ll making a note of this for the demerit system. We’ll just have to catch up with an hour of calculus tonight.” D “I’m surprised to hear that. I usually monitor homework each day, and sign the register.”

E “I’ll find out why he didn’t do his homework, and we’ll take it from there.”

4 WHAT KIND OF MOVIE WOULD YOU LET YOUR CHILD WATCH?

A No movies, just books and playing outdoors.

B Anything he likes.

C Anything educational or motivational.

D I’m not fussed, as long as I can watch with him, and monitor what’s in the movie to check that the content is okay. E Preferably age-appropriate movies that don’t have too much violence or negative messages.

5 YOUR CHILD DOESN’T MAKE THE SCHOOL PLAY. DO YOU:

A Rejoice – plays are more about extrinsic values than intrinsic ones. For you, your child’s greatest role is being himself. B Take your child out for ice cream, and buy him any toy of his choice to make him feel better.

C Reprimand your child for not focusing on drama enough and for “failing”, and then hire a private drama tutor for him. After all, excellence is supreme.

D Find out why he didn’t make the school play, and head straight to the drama department and principal, demanding a second audition for your child. E Encourage your child to feel whatever he needs to feel about not getting in, while motivating him to try another time, or to do other activities.

6 YOUR CHILD NEEDS HELP WITH HOMEWORK. DO YOU:

A Help him, but only if it’s done on recycled paper.

B Help him, but only once you’ve had quality time together – eating ice cream, swimming and building Lego.

C Help him, but only during the gap between his two daily extra-mural activities in the afternoons, or only after piano lessons.

D Help him, monitoring every pen stroke, and ensuring it’s done according to spec. E Help him until he’s confident or has mastered what he needs to, and then leave him to do the rest.

7 WHAT TYPE OF ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO DO?

A Yoga, recycling, social activism.

B Anything! So long as you can do it together and have fun.

C Anything related to music, academics and professionalism.

D Whatever is “in” or recommended at the time, whether it’s ball classes, art stimulation, or gymnastics. As long as it’s beneficial and not harmful. E Whatever he would like to do, as long as it’s fun, and you’ve both agreed on it.

8 YOU’RE AT THE PARK, AND ANOTHER CHILD TRIES TO TAKE YOUR TODDLER’S TURN ON THE SWING. DO YOU:

A Explain to the child about peace, sharing and negotiation.

B Plan to buy your own swing for home so that this type of thing doesn’t happen, and better yet – buy an adult and a kiddie swing, so you can have fun together. C Parks are about recreation and fun, and there’s very little time for that in the tight, academics-focused schedule. D Intervene, and firmly tell the child that you’ve just cleaned the swing with disinfectant wipes, and therefore he has no choice but to let your child go – fairly – before him.

E Try to explain to the child about sharing, and encourage them to each take turns.