Pet owners referring to each other as mummy and daddy

[Perfidy]

We’ve got an adorable scruff of a puppy. First time dog owners as adults, had cats before. Dh has grown up kids and the dog Is to help with a bit of empty nest.

I’m finding the being referred to as ‘mummy’ by dh, as in go find mummy she’s got your dinner’ a tiny bit cringey. What to do instead....or just get over myself!

@heartsonacake

I refer to my dog as my furbaby, and she is responsibly trained. Very well behaved and I am not just saying that. Just out of interest, do you have animals?

Nope. Never done it. I have 2 dogs and they rule the house but we don't baby them!

I always want to ask, so how was the actual birth, was the midwife shocked?

@ineedsun

Thank you for posting that, shamefully it’s never occurred to me that that terminology might be uncomfortable or weird for some parents - but I completely get why it would be now you’ve pointed it out.

Totally cringe worthy but each to their own. I don't care if you refer to yourself as mummy to your pets but if you refer to me as mummy to mine I won't be having that.

@heartsonacake

And keep your pity to yourself. Idon't want it or need it. I am not ashamed or embarassed and never will be. The people I pity are the ones who never get to feel a loving bond between themselves and an animal. Or the people who feel the need to treat their pets like third rate citizens.

Thank you @Dollywilde

It's common parlance so I realise it's just me. I wouldn't expect people to stop using it (but it does feel quite liberating to have said it out loud 😂)

We do it 🤷‍♀️ even though I said I never would when we decided to get a dog

@ineedsun what are anonymous Internet forums for ? Agree you can’t change common usage but has given me food for thought for when/who I’d use the term around so thanks :)

I didn’t buy my dog. She’s rehomed/rescued whatever you want to call it. I look after her, take her to the vets when unwell, groom her. What else am I if not her mum. I’m not her owner. She’s part of the family. No need to pity me, I’m quite happy about it thanks very much.

I always want to ask, so how was the actual birth, was the midwife shocked?
Or, how did you conceive?

I'd reply that she was adopted

We do the Mummy and Daddy thing as a bit of a joke. I dislike the 'fur baby' thing - they are dogs!

@Dollywilde

This conclusion doesn't feel very mumsnetty. I feel like one of us should flounce 🤣

I have never articulated that before so fully expecting a backlash. It's just a personal thing.

I do understand that. I dont actually think I am their adoptive parent.

But when people start saying is a possession. It's not. I adopted the dog. That's what I did.

Just out of interest, do you have animals?

Littlemeadow123 I’ve had various pets over the years and I’ve loved them all dearly. And whether you want my pity or second hand embarrassment or not, anyone who refers to themselves in this manner certainly has it.

It's common parlance so I realise it's just me. I wouldn't expect people to stop using it (but it does feel quite liberating to have said it out loud

Please feel free. Ot not offensive to say that out loud

Oh just get over it. It's fine.

@heartsonacake

If you want to waste your pity on me, that's fine. I don't give a flying whatsit. It reflects more on you than it does on me anyway.

Does it matter? It’s an individual thing. If I am talking to the cat and the dog I might use the term mummy. If I am talking about them to other people I refer to them by name. The term Fur Baby isn’t for me, but I don’t judge anyone else who uses it.

My OH tells our dog to go and see mummy and I can't stand it. I have never referred to him as dad ever. So don't get it at all

ineedasun
I do understand where you are coming from and I don’t think the usage in anyway is designed to belittle or diminish your position or role as an adoptive parent. I am friends with adoptive parents and I do have a little insight into how gruelling the process of adoption is.

I found it strange when getting a pet changed to adopting animals. I think the idea to get people thinking about long term ownership rather than buying a commodity and getting rid when it doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle.

In this context, I like the term adopting animals and calling yourselves parents. My first dog definitely considered me his parent. I rescued him from a shit situation. I was his everything. It’s pretty much the same with my subsequent dogs albeit not so intense.

I am my cat’s mum, she has a fur cousin and grandparents. We jokingly talk about her human cousins but that’s because they find the idea of a cousin cat silly.
The most amusing is when she is getting up to some mad antics and dp looks at me in all seriousness and says ‘she gets that from you. . .’

If you want to waste your pity on me, that's fine. I don't give a flying whatsit. It reflects more on you than it does on me anyway.

Littlemeadow123 Don’t worry, it’s not wasted There’s plenty to go around for the deluded people who think they’re their animals parents.

We do this

I am aware it's a bit weird but its harmless. I love our puppy which is the most important thing.

I’m the cats aka the boss of the house mummy

I call him mummy’s little pusscat soldier

Ds tells people he has a fluffy big brother

When ds was about 3/4 he asked me if the cat was his real brother