Doing so because it's a sensitive matter and they want to be inclusive and respectful to all paths of life. Is this normal now? It suggests that being/having a mother has negative connotations. I'm so terribly sad about it. How can they try to erase Mothers? I've emailed back to ask for an explanation. I am very open to people who don't want to use the terms mother or father, that's their call, I'll respect that, it's their family but by eroding or smearing the sentiment of 'mother' ... It really bothers me.