Anonymous wrote:My brother and I grew up with very laid back parents. The emphasis was on spending time with family, spending time outdoors and reading books for fun. We were never pressured into getting certain grades, pursing X number of extracurricular activitites, (I don't think my brother ever did a thing outside of school from grades K-12).
We majored in religion/liberal arts and philosophy in college. Then we spent most of our twenties working random jobs, backpacking across the world, and living in various cities.
In our late 20's we went to law school and medical school respectively. Now we both have stable jobs and large incomes.

Do I regret spending the first 26 years of my life simply enjoying living and not chasing after success? Not in a million years. I cherish the time I had to just "be". I have the rest of my lifetime to put my nose ot the grindstone and work.

My husband and I plan on raising our children the same way.

Anonymous wrote:WOW, OP here. I just checked this thread and was surprised at the response. Thanks everyone, this is great to read!

I'm not South Asian, btw, so I find that track curious (I'm just a boring whitey). I also believe in academic achievement and trying your best at any task. But I don't associate that with Type-A behavior, I guess. Interesting point about teaching kids to deal with competition and stress, but isn't that what sports are for? Does just going to school or playing with friends have to have that, too?

I LOVE the idea of a Beta Moms group, especially the being late part. That fits me to a T, unfortunately!

I'm not trying to truly diss Type-As, it is just not me. To each their own. But I find the culture stressful and not fun. What I was trying to get at was an undercurrent of pressure to wear the right clothes, dress the right way, vacation and eat at the best places, helicopter parent, etc. I know this is a very ambitious and driven area, but I'm concerned about that kind of culture as my child grows up. I've seen some really burned out teenagers at my church and it just frightens me to death to think that could be my kid. And whether we like to admit it or not, the older your child is the more important peers are. If my kid is surrounded by competitive, status-conscious kids, they will be the odd duck left out (or will change, which scares me too).

What I mean by laid-back is just that there is more to life than material things and doing the "right" activities, dressing the right way. That it is the person on the inside, friendship and family time, and personal happiness that count the most. Following your heart. This may sound naive, but I just can't focus on most of that other junk and feel happy. It isn't in me. I do think there are Type-As everywhere, but this area does seem to have more than it's fair share just based on the regional culture.

I'm going to try to expand my circle and look for other Betas in my area. Maybe I'll see some of you out there!

Anonymous wrote:I was born and raised here. I find that others who've grown up here are generally really laid back. It's the imports who seem a bit tight to me.

Anonymous wrote:I love how the typeA tightly wound DC spazzes jump in to parody themselves unwittingly on a thread about being laid back.

zumbamama wrote:I know PLENTY of laid back moms, even in Arlington. In fact, I don't think I know a Type A mom. Maybe I just don't notice them or don't realize the are.

OP, I used to live in Cali and do miss the laid back life by the beach there. But I also noticed tons of plastic surgery, bleach, and snobbery as well. I think you'll find all types of moms where ever you are.

I'm a super laid back mom. I'm relaxed and in good spirits 98% of the time. I don't care how much $ you have or what you drive or what your legs look like with shorts on, as long you are nice, I'll talk to you!