Silky Mom Alert: 10 Signs to Watch For

Are You a Silky Mom? Signs and Benefits of a Modern Parenting Style

Have you heard of silky moms? Even (or maybe especially) if you haven’t, you might be one. Silky moms take advantage of modern tech and up-to-date science to make their parenting lives easier. They also aren’t as concerned with following a specific parenting style—which is how you could end up a silky mom who doesn’t even know she is one.

What Defines a Silky Mom?

The term “silky mom” began appearing on social media around 2023. It seems to have sprung up in direct response to the “crunchy mom” parenting style, which refers to moms who value natural and organic foods and clothing, homeopathic remedies for illnesses, and who probably bake all their own bread. By contrast, silky moms are less concerned with adhering to a specific set of values, making them more laid back—they seem comfortable with the fact that there is no one right way to be a parent.

Main Traits of a Silky Mom

• More flexible with routine and schedules, similar to a Type B mom
• Takes advantage of medical approaches like hospital births, epidurals, and formula feeding
• Follows doctor-recommended vaccination schedule
• Doesn’t shy away from sleep training
• Uses disposable diapers
• May serve pre-cooked meals
• Does not set hard screen time limits

Signs You Might Be a Silky Mom

Think you might have some silky mom in you? Here are some signs you might be a silky mom:

• You keep your pantry stocked with snacks, and the kids always have access to what they want to eat
• You are easy going about processed food and nutrition labels
• Fast food is perfectly acceptable as a meal in your house
• Your kids wear clothes that are decorated with characters from TV shows
• When your kids are sick, you readily offer Tylenol or Motrin
• You vaccinate your kids per your pediatrician’s guidance
• Your kids use or used pacifiers
• There aren’t any “sad beige toys” in your kids’ playroom—plastic toys that play music or make sounds, or that light up, are totally acceptable in your house
• Your kids have their own tablets

Examples of Silky Parenting

• You don’t feel like cooking dinner, so you head to your local fast food drive-through and get meals for your kids
• Your kid starts to look like they’re getting sick, so you immediately call the pediatrician and follow their instructions
• While at the store, you see a plastic toy that you think your kid would like, so you buy it for them without hesitation
• Your kid asks to watch more TV after coming home from school—and you say “Sure, why not”

Benefits of Being a Silky Mom

If you see some of these traits reflected in your own parenting, we’ve got good news: the approach has plenty of positives. If your style is decidedly silky, here are some benefits you might notice.

• It creates a relaxed environment
• It promotes independence
• It relies on evidence-based medical advice
• It prioritizes self-care and mental health

Just remember that you don’t need to fall neatly into a category to be a good parent. If you find yourself nodding in recognition at some of these traits, but bristling against others, there’s no reason to change your parenting style to fit into a box—especially if your kids are already healthy, happy, and thriving.

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