Confessions of a Smothered Burrito Mom!

By Quetzal Mama • August 25, 2013

Confessions of a

Smothered Burrito Mom!

“Sometimes it’s good to be smothered.” That is the tagline for Taco Bell’s new product, the “Smothered Burrito.” When I saw this commercial I nearly fell off my chair! While the “mom” is obviously an exaggerated, overbearing Type A personality, I completely saw myself in her persona. I didn’t laugh and roll my eyes. Instead, I associated with her. In fact, I’m here today as proof that “Smothered Burrito” moms can be beneficial to our children.

What? Wait – before you start sending me emails, let me clarify. I have always practiced the Authoritative Parenting Style, with emphasis on “Autonomy-Supportive” behaviors. This means I establish firm boundaries, rules, and guidelines, but encourage my children to be self-initiating and autonomous. My kids are very independent, have high self-esteem and self-confidence, but respectfully acknowledge my role as parent. They do all of their own laundry, homework, and chores, etc. Ultimately, they independently chose the colleges they attend, as well as their relationships.

So, why do I think it is helpful to be a Smothered Burrito mom? I see the value of a “Type A” personality type when it comes to the complicated and time-intensive college admissions process. This personality type takes the lead, has a sense of urgency, and is highly involved, ambitious, and regimented. Even the most organized high school student may miss deadlines, overlook important factors, and lose focus amidst mid-terms and finals, varsity sports, and homework. The final stretch of this process is too important to overlook or miss deadlines, fail to supply critical paperwork, or bypass opportunities due to unpreparedness. This is where the Smothered Burrito Mom comes in! We ensure our students are on track, in peak form, and meeting the many deadlines imposed. We review goals and deadlines, help build a support team, organize plans of action, obtain the necessary tools, and check off the task items.

I jumped into Smothered Burrito Mom mode when two of my children were in the final stretch of their college applications. Carlos and Gabi are the same age, so it was double-duty helping them organize their admissions strategies and logistics. Jumping into high gear, I helped them narrow their shortlist of colleges, select the “Early” campus, research majors, organize milestones for letters of recommendation and essays, chart timelines for the supplemental essays, and organized a tour of college campuses. We still joke today about the whirlwind of activities, the charts taped to the dining room wall, shopping for their “interview” clothing, and the portable bins with their financial aid and college information. It was a crazy time, but we were organized.

So, embrace your Smothered Burrito mom role and get started! Help your student keep up with the challenge of navigating the maze of the college admissions process. Find resources, chart out your plan, and get in gear. Your role is not to pick your kid’s schools, or takeover. Instead, let your kids know that you will jump in during the critical stage of their college applications to give them the “gift” of your time, guidance, expertise, and wisdom. They will thank you for it later.