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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mummy business cards...really??

112 replies

HoneyStepMummy · 26/06/2013 19:17

I was just on Vista print looking to get some new business cards for some side work I do. They offer you the option of getting what they call 'Mommy Cards' which is like a business card with your name on top. Beneath that is says "So-and-so's Mommy".Yuck. So twee. Who the heck uses cards like this?? What's wrong with just swapping mobile numbers at the school gate?? AIBU??

OP posts:
MummytoKatie · 26/06/2013 21:06

They are really twee and I'd totally take the piss if someone gave me one.

But it would save me from the following conversation that happens at least twice a month when out with dh and the kids:-

Me: meets someone I know and chats to them animatedly making it clear that I know them well and for some time.
Dh (after they are gone): who was that
Me: Jack and Susie's mum
Dh: does Jack and Susie's mum have a name
Me: Presumably
Dh: Do you know it?
Me: No! And I've known her 3 years - it's too late to ask now!

Icelollycraving · 26/06/2013 21:23

I think they are a good idea. Saying that I do like bunting & cupcakes,so by mn standards,I'm a joke.
Don't care a jot!

MammaTJ · 26/06/2013 21:26

Unexpected is right, it would save me having to repeatedly ask for parents names. I like the idea. I hope it catches on!!

MammaTJ · 26/06/2013 21:27

MummytoKatie, I can only assume this is your RL name too!! Grin

blondefriend · 26/06/2013 21:37

I like the idea. (hides quickly)

I have recently moved to my village and my dd starts the local school in Sept. I work 4x week so will only meet other mums at the gate one day a week and on that day will need to dash off to ballet so a quick card could be good. I'm actually quite good at getting numbers (I get people to ring me whilst they are stood in front of me and type their name in right away) but that might be seen as a bit forceful. A card would be more "if you want to contact me then you can".

However I will probably disguise them as business cards just with my dd name on somewhere.

TeamEdward · 26/06/2013 21:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LilacPeony · 26/06/2013 22:22

Doesn't "full time mother" just mean that at that point they are looking after their child full time, rather than looking after them part of the time and paying someone else to care for them while at work?

Tooearlyintheday · 26/06/2013 22:26

I love this idea! Don't care who knows it either and genuinely hope it catches on (preferably both with a picture of the woman and her child)! Terrible memory for names and faces and rarely see anyone at school gates as I work f/t so DS gets the bus home.

Tooearlyintheday · 26/06/2013 22:28

Oh and I've no issue with being described as my name, DS's mum, since in reference to his school friends and their parents that's who I am Smile

carabos · 26/06/2013 22:52

I am very old, so tend to see things come round again and again. I remember my parents having cards - personal, not business - that had their name, address and phone number on. They were used in social situations and also as a "leave-behind" if you called on someone and they weren't in.

My friends parents and my grandparents had them too, along with personalised printed stationery etc.

I think it's a good idea (not the twee bits so much) and certainly I have given out my business card to other parents in the past rather than scrape round for bits of paper.

Today of course we just enter people's details into our smartphones, but these are a relatively recent innovation .

CambridgeBlue · 26/06/2013 23:06

I can see how they'd be useful but I couldn't take them seriously and I don't know anyone who wouldn't take the piss if I handed them one.

The use of 'Mommy/Mummy' is the most sick-making part and anyone who refers to themself as such on cards, FB or anywhere else would be judged by me I'm afraid.

LilacPeony · 26/06/2013 23:08

It would certainly be quicker to hand someone a card than to enter their details into your phone.

Justfornowitwilldo · 26/06/2013 23:16

Laminated flash cards attached to the child. It's the future.

AmyFarrahFowlerCooper · 26/06/2013 23:21

I would cringe if someone handed me one of these. In theory they are good but in real life, I'd find them a bit naff.

And I'm another one who dislikes "full time mummy" listed as a job. Along with that one which says "I'm a chef, a childminder, a taxi driver, a teacher, a cleaner, an event planner (etc etc). I'm a mum." And sometimes it says "its the hardest job in the world but I love it". I feel like screaming ITS NOT A JOB YOU DONUT!!!!! AND YOU AREN'T ALL THOSE THINGS, YOU ARE A MUM!!!

lisianthus · 26/06/2013 23:28

I like the idea. Makes sure you get all the relevant information and that you have it usefully together. It doesn't have to be presented in a twee way, any more that business cards for WOHMs have to be presented as twee.

In the US, they also enter details of their children's allergies, or other important bits of info.

SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 26/06/2013 23:30

I saw those on vista too and did a sideshow bob style shudder. Awful.

3birthdaybunnies · 26/06/2013 23:31

I don't think I could bring myself to get some for me but I wish everyone else did - ideally with pictures of children, parents, oh's name, any occupations and where they hang out so I have a chance of remembering who 'thingy is, you know the one with the boy who once fell over and bumped his head and the girl who is always on her scooter'. I have been known to write notes to myself on what other people are called, but then I chuck them away when I can't recall who on earth Sarah Ollie and Alfie might be.

MummytoKatie · 26/06/2013 23:52

MammaTJ - Yes! It was after one of these conversations that I registered for Mumsnet and needed a name.

It's not really appropriate anymore as I had ds a month ago but I think using both kids will be too identifying. Maybe "Mumofttwokidswhodontsleep" would work.....

tanukiton · 27/06/2013 00:10

umm i think it is a good idea. contact details Mum's name good. Then inked in Mummy of ....

MammaTJ · 27/06/2013 05:59

MummytoKatie, I have three DC, so could use that either. I have two who don't do sleep but one (she is 18) who is now a world expert.

MrsMook · 27/06/2013 05:59

The card with contact details makes sense. Going overboard in twee details too far.

I know a few people whose occupation is apparently "mummy to x" on FB. I feel sorry for the younger sibling that never gets the beneft of an update Grin.

I'm in SAHM mode at the moment. I'm happy to be x or y's mummy in the appropriate context, but I do have some residual independent identity left waiting to be dusted off.

whatacrappyweekendthatwas · 27/06/2013 07:30

I suppose if the cards said Jane Smith on them, you might not remember whose mum she was..... I would find them useful actually, have a few dcs and their friends contact details are all over the place.

PoisonedApple · 27/06/2013 08:14

What about one of those black and white boxy things tattooed on each child which you could just quickly scan with your smart phone? It could give useful details such as parent names, allergies etc?

Didactylos · 27/06/2013 09:29

I want a card that says

Didactylos - Flanneur and Dilettante

which while not a job would be pretty descriptive
Actually, I may do this in real life

Dorris83 · 27/06/2013 09:52

You know I might be coming around to the idea of the cards, it is easy to put people's details into your phone but you don't always have time to write in helpful reminder details like 'sam's mum' ...

I think the concept is actually a good one its just the name 'mummy cards' that is twee and a little cringey. Call them contact cards and I could get on board with this!

Off topic slightly:
Thankyou spoomoo that makes sense as we haven't got as far as the seat yet, still in the carry cot
cheshire the basket unzips?! I seriously need to explore our pushchair more.

Smile