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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed that one of my colleagues addresses me as 'Mummy' in the office?

40 replies

perrinelli · 26/04/2011 10:13

I am 7 mos pregnant with DC2. A (female, older) colleague has taken to calling me Mummy in the office whenever she talks to me. AIBU to find this really annoying and a bit weird? Should I ask her to stop or just get over it and think I'll be out of there in a month. I'm not naturally v confrontational and she is a much more established member of staff than me.

OP posts:
nikki1978 · 26/04/2011 10:15

Ewww I hate that. The hairdresser I used to take the children to insisted on calling me Mummy and spoke in an annoying high pitched voice "Does Mummy want me to take off this much from the front?". Makes me feel nauseous just thinking about it. We don't go there any more.

Makes you want to shout "I AM NOT YOUR MUMMY!" at them doesn't it?

If you are gone in a month try and ignore it - she will probably take huge offence.

MrsFruitcake · 26/04/2011 10:16

How bloody rude - politely tell her that your name is ..... and not Mummy and would she mind very much calling you by your given name.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 26/04/2011 10:17

How odd. Can you call her your DCs name in return?
I think if I wasn't returning I'd probably have a big argument with her, OTOH if you need to go back after the birth, maybe not.

BluddyMoFo · 26/04/2011 10:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 26/04/2011 10:17

That's very cringeworthy! Spit on your hand and smooth her hair down saying "mummy can't let you go out like that!"

hairylights · 26/04/2011 10:17

Pet hate of mine.

Tell her, for goodness sake. Just say "please don't call me mummy, I'm not your mummy and I don't like it".

steamedtreaclesponge · 26/04/2011 10:17

Yep, I'm with MrsFruitcake. Definitely tell her that you don't like it (politely) or she could be doing it forever...

theyoungvisiter · 26/04/2011 10:18

Oo yuck! I would be weirded too.

I think she is obviously just getting excited on your behalf but I don't blame you for finding it annoying. Being non-confrontational too, I think I would be tempted to make a joke out of it, at least as a first resort. I would probably laugh, look over my shoulder and say "gosh, is your mum in the office too?" or something like that. Or "I know I've not been sleeping well but do I really look old enough to be your mum?"

If she carried on then I think I would have to say something - or risk snapping belting her one with my maternity notes.

ZacharyQuack · 26/04/2011 10:18

Start calling her Great Aunt Hilda

anonacfr · 26/04/2011 10:18

I would be really pissed off. Just because you're having a baby doesn't mean you're not a person anymore!
Maybe she thinks it's cute but it sounds a bit childish to me- it's particularly odd as it's not your first child. Does she have children herself?

I would take her aside and tell her nicely that you're a bit uncomfortable with it and would rather she stopped. She might assume you quite like it- that it makes you feel special or something.

OTTMummA · 26/04/2011 10:20

tell her to F*k the F*k OFF.
How bloomin rude.

Mutt · 26/04/2011 10:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OTTMummA · 26/04/2011 10:21

or put her on the naughty step each time she says it.
add dramatic effect with a timer and some slight dragging to the staircase.

thomasbodley · 26/04/2011 10:21

What Zachary said.

It's workplace banter, not a calculated attempt to undermine your confidence. Get a grip.

changingmynameagain · 26/04/2011 10:21

I would call her Granny

Mutt · 26/04/2011 10:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Quenelle · 26/04/2011 10:30

Is she doing it to wind you up? Or because she thinks it's cute?

If it's the first I would say something. Or ignore her until she uses your name.

If it's the second I would probably grit my teeth and let it go if it's just for another month.

BarbieLovesKen · 26/04/2011 10:40

She sounds like such a dickhead.

anonacfr · 26/04/2011 10:41

Why should she have to grit her teeth and let it go? It's cute for a day (if that) and irritating (not to mention unprofessional) after that.
She shouldn't have to put up with it.

On a completely different note, I haven't eaten quenelles in over a decade and you're making me very hungry.... Grin

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 26/04/2011 10:46

Mutt said exactly what I was going to say! [10:20:44]

OTTMummA · 26/04/2011 10:48

well, i don't think it is acceptable to call people by what they look like, do, wear, position etc.
So just as you wouldn't go round calling people, fatty, four eyes, daddyHmm, ginger etc i wouldn't think it ok to go round calling people mummy fgs.
It is so ,,ugh, not called for.

stream · 26/04/2011 10:52

Just ignore her till she uses your name. She will use it, if she needs your attention.

Then, if she says something, act surprised and say, 'sorry, I only heard you say perrinelli just now.

MangoTango · 26/04/2011 10:55

Is she saying it in an affectionate way? By that I mean is she excited about the new baby and it is a reflection of that? Or is it a put down? I think it all depends on the feeling behind it.

Olifin · 26/04/2011 11:09

Offer her a breast feed. That might shut her up.

Katisha · 26/04/2011 11:15

YOu don't have to be confrontational - just quietly ask her to desist.

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