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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel slightly queasy when a woman describes herself as a mummy?

130 replies

MardyBra · 04/04/2013 12:46

I'm a mother, or a mum.

The kids called me mummy when they were little, but I find it too cutesy when a grown woman describes herself as a "mummy".

Especially on a blog.

OP posts:
OzmaofOz · 04/04/2013 16:02

Yes I missed the point too, no I wouldn't describe myself as a Mummy, say Mummy friends , Mummy groups or buy an over priced cupcake and butterfly encrusted change bag. Grin

sjupes · 04/04/2013 16:21

I've not been back long enough to leave again yet!! Noooooo!!

WildlingPrincess · 04/04/2013 16:39

I don't like it when adults say Mummy either! When does it stop being acceptable for a child to say Mummy though? My daughter is 6 and still says it, I don't want it going on at 26!

ladyjadie · 04/04/2013 16:41

How about on Facebook (if you use?)
The amount of FB posters I see that refer to themselves as 'mummy'. It's either 'OMG I'm going to be a mummy!!1!!!!'
Or a post ostensibly to a DC but written on FB i.e 'dear DC, thank you for your present to mummy in your nappy LOL'

There's one who posts pictures of her dog's cards/presents to her on her birthday/mothers day addressed to 'mummy'

I have seen more than one 'yummy mummy' tshirt being worn

And I used to have a friend (25) who referred to 'mummy' in conversations to me. Not even 'my mummy'. "I'm going to mummy's for supper" which always threw me a bit. Then again she used to refer to her family as "much, much wealthier than so-and-so' family Hmm

likesnowflakesinanocean · 04/04/2013 17:01

princess my dp is covered in piercings , tattoos has 3 children and still calls his mum mummy wherever we bump into her. I firmly believe if he wasn't built like a brick shithouse and abit scary he would of had the crap beat out of him for it . he's nearly 30

lysteddy · 04/04/2013 17:05

Im 22 and still call my dad daddy i must be weirdd Grin

zukiecat · 04/04/2013 17:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

digerd · 04/04/2013 19:01

I was walking little 'doggy' back home, when a young woman stopped me in a posh-looking car, and nicely asked if I knew were xxxplaying fields were. I said there was a golf club farther back and a football club with boys playing. But she said her DD was playing netball at these playing fields. Then she said " Oh, I'll just phone one of the other mummies". and smiled thanking me .

I just thought what a nice, friendly polite young woman. She was obviously late and lost but her manner was lovely.
That is what matters to me, not the word 'mummies'

mylittlepuds · 04/04/2013 19:10

I don't like it. My DS is a toddler so I'm obv mummy to him which is lovely - and I say to him 'mummy is doing this or that' but would never say to someone else "Hi I'm DSs mummy.". Also don't like being called it from other people.

Fraggle3112 · 04/04/2013 19:17

My mum has got into the habit of describing herself as 'mummy' and talking in the third person all the time in the last couple of years I have no idea why I'm 28 and bro is 26, it drives me effing insane! Haha!

pamelat · 04/04/2013 19:35

I think that we are mummy's for such a short, precious, difficult (!!) time that it's ok/nice to refer to yourself as so.

I often use the term "mummy" friends to describe the mums that I know. It won't last forever as our children grow, why not use it whilst you can.

Mine are 5 and 2, and already I've started describing myself "x's
mum" instead of mummy with her

Treasure it whilst we can. It would be very odd to still do it wjen they're grown up!! ;)

pamelat · 04/04/2013 19:42

To answer the post re why call yourself /define yourself by the relationship, ie x's mummy when you don't do it for wife/sibling etc, for me it's because the relationship is more important

Being x's mummy does define me. The other relationships in my life cO exist alongside my life/role but being x's mummy is a job, as eel as being more important, for me.

EllieFunt · 04/04/2013 19:44

You are SOOOO NBU!!

I despise it. 'Being a mummy is the best job in the world'. 'Well, when you're a mummy, you just think differently....'
Kids using it as a mode of address: fine! But women using it about themselves...Wine Wine Wine

Suzietwo · 04/04/2013 19:57

Bat shit mental

Ridersofthestorm · 04/04/2013 19:58

Each to their own. I wouldn't mind be called a mummy though but I get what you mean it's a tad babyish but i still can't help liking it.

Madeleine10 · 04/04/2013 20:37

pamelat That was my post earlier.

God, I don't know what to say!

I just can't imagine being so consumed with my children that I choose to identify myself as their Mother first and foremost, and actually use Mummy as a name and areason for being IYSWIM !. I'm Madeleine, same as I've always been, who now happens to also be a wife and a parent, a daughter, and works at X.....

I love the closest people to me as much as each other, - my husband is the love of my life, and so are my kids - but it's a different love with children., that's all. Neither is more important.

I do wonder what people who actually see themselves firstly happily as Mothers (i capitalise it as it seems that for some is a job/life title Grin) will feel like when their children are gone and married, it seems a huge responsibility on the kids too. And a bit harsh on husbands, who are now "second best" I guess.

ElectricalBanana · 04/04/2013 21:09

i am still a "mummy"....

My youngest DD is 21 in June.

She has autism and a related learning disability.

i like being mummy.

it is my favourite word. Its even better than veritable which is my second favourite word

pamelat · 04/04/2013 21:32

Madeleine, each to their own I guess

I have found that the other relationships in my life, all of them, have deteriorated since having children. It's not ideal but I'm hoping that once I have more energy (I had pnd and now just no sleep) I may have the energy to be more than mummy, I don't yet

I admire those that can be everything else too

I work part time so there I am me. Elsewhere I'm their mummy.

I think I need a hobby!!! ;)

Shelly32 · 04/04/2013 21:35

Liking the sisterly love between yaimee and Mardybra !!

Shelly32 · 04/04/2013 21:36

Oh my... that was at the start and this is 120 mssges long... Blush

BegoniaBampot · 04/04/2013 21:58

Does it really matter, seems quite harmless in the big picture of things. Don't like to think of myself sneering at others happily saying 'hi, I'm Jack's mummy or such'. TBh, not sure what I refer to myself as, will observe over the next few days and report back for approval or a kicking.

ActuallyMummy · 05/04/2013 13:30

What problem do you have with Mummy Bloggers? If it's just the term that's daft because it describes a set of bloggers very well. If it's the fact of blogging about being a Mum I can't see what the problem is. I'm a Mummy blogger because I blog about my kids, who call me Mummy.

MummyBarrow · 05/04/2013 13:51

so shoot me

KobayashiMaru · 05/04/2013 14:07

Is Mummy the most common form in England/the UK? I'm not mummy and neither is any mother I know as far as I know anyway. Sounds weird to me.

princessx · 05/04/2013 14:23

YANBU I find it really cringey esp on Facebook. However I've started calling myself a Mom. I like to think I'm being ironic, but I think it's a result of reading too many Sweet Valley High books.

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