‘I’m not a helicopter or a tiger mom – my parenting style is imperfect but at least it’s my own’

As a mother, I end each night letting go of the things I didn’t do well, but I can only wake up trying to do my best

Kathy Donaghy. Photo: Lorcan Doherty

Kathy Donaghy

I’m not a helicopter mother nor a slummy mummy; I’m neither a tiger mom nor an intensive parent. What I am is not perfect, winging it, mothering in the only way I can — my own.

I don’t think there’s a name for this. Perhaps it’s a backlash against the parenting tropes and types that seem to change with the seasons. Call it what you will.