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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To allow DSC to call me mummy.

188 replies

Chaosandcuddles22 · 22/04/2024 23:08

I am likely to be absolutely flamed.
DSC has been living with me full time 95 percent of their life ( now year 1 at school)
for reasons they are now solely in my custody and that will not change. Their dad is no longer around and courts granted me parental responsibility and and live in order.
they know their bio mum and know I am not their bio mum but for many reasons they only see each-other 2-3 times a year now in a contact centre ( should be more )
they Have 1 bio sibling in the home and one non bio sibling. We run day to day like any other family and all children are treated the same
they do however have free contact with bio mums extended family something that I have always facilitated.
recently especially around bed time or even they are talking to others they have referred. to me as “ mummy or mum “
i used to correct them and their little face would look disheartened this was the wish of the extended family. I have spoken to DSC about the situation in a child friendly way but they want to refer to me like the other children in the house including his sibling. I have no issues of course and they will always be included in the same way for example if someone asks me how many children I have I will say 3.
I don’t know how to sensitively handle the situation.

OP posts:
Chaosandcuddles22 · 23/04/2024 22:42

just to ask add around the question about adoption - I don’t need to adopt him I’m not sure is legally I even could as far as I’m aware because I am his guardian - have PR and a live in order. So it’s basically I don’t have to adopt him and his legally my responsibility and I am his legal guardian already.

OP posts:
Jumpers4goalposts · 24/04/2024 18:01

I think this is lovely.

Pantaloons99 · 24/04/2024 18:12

How lucky he is to have you.

I am 'bio mum' and I would be so appreciative of your love and care of my child I would be happy for them to call you mum in that position. I'd let them carry on.

Yourcatisnotsorry · 24/04/2024 19:38

You didn’t birth them but you are their mum. You know it and they know it. Sod the extended family, clearly they don’t have the kid’s best interests at heart. You clearly do.

tommyhoundmum · 24/04/2024 19:42

I have been in very similar circs to you. The one year old is now 21 and has called me whatever she wants. Sometimes Mummy other times Wendy. I really don't mind and it's not an issue.

Pointynoseowner · 24/04/2024 19:51

Your doing a great job. Your their mum 🤗

BitOutOfPractice · 24/04/2024 19:53

YaMuvva · 22/04/2024 23:17

Awww let them call you mummy. Sounds like they’ve had a chaotic life at a young age already, and they need a mummy. You’ve earned it OP, and so have they.

This.

you sound like an absolutely lovely mommy. I’m so glad he’s got you

Julimia · 24/04/2024 19:58

A mum is someone who does '' mum" things. If thats how little one sees it and what she wants to call you so be it. Be proud of it.

Rubyrubyrubyrubee · 24/04/2024 20:00

You are their Mummy ❤️

VampireWeekday · 24/04/2024 20:01

Beautiful update. That little boy is so lucky to have found you as his mummy. How lovely that it was exciting news to him, and old news to your daughter. It shows you've done an amazing job of making the children feel equally loved and part of the family, and that they all know and recognise that too.

BirthdayRainbow · 24/04/2024 20:03

Borris · 22/04/2024 23:10

Could you be "mummy chaos". To differentiate from biomum. You sound more than stepmum

This is awful. I've been the child in a different family and if I wanted to use mummy and wasn't allowed I'd have felt even more rejected.

GlennCloseButNoCigar · 24/04/2024 20:04

In this situation you are mum, I would let the little one call you whatever they felt comfortable with. Sounds like you’re their only real constant.

croydon15 · 24/04/2024 20:10

Another vote to let them call you Mum, you are their Mum, they deserve to have a Mum and feel secure, the extended family didn't look after them you have.
You sound like a lovely person and l wish you and your family all the best.

WickWood · 24/04/2024 20:11

You are amazing, you are his mum

mountaingoatsarehairy · 24/04/2024 20:15

Well done you and what a lovely thread.

Thepowerhouseofthecell · 24/04/2024 20:19

I'm due on and this thread has made me cry. So lovely

Wouldprefertobereading · 24/04/2024 20:19

You are absolutely the child’s Mum. If the cap fits…

Alltheparmesanplease · 24/04/2024 21:29

Fluffywigg · 22/04/2024 23:29

If anyone deserves the title of ‘Mum’ it’s certainly you! You sound lovely

Absolutely this 💕

Blondiiiii · 24/04/2024 21:53

You are their mummy ❤️

Poopants1000 · 24/04/2024 22:17

You are their mum, maybe not the only one but the one that they will respect and appreciate sooo much when they are grown. Enjoy hearing them call you mum, you have earned it x

Havinganamechange · 24/04/2024 22:19

You are the primary carer, the person that cuddles them when they are sad, feeds them, gets them ready for bed, plays with them, loves them, why wouldn’t they call you mum or mummy. I think it’s very normal, and it sounds as though you have been open with them about their bio mum etc. Nothing wrong with them calling you mummy.

Pedestrian0 · 24/04/2024 22:38

This is so lovely! I'm really glad you had that chat. Beautiful family. <3

I'm sure you're all over this as you sound amazing but I'm just thinking bio family may well have a go at the child if they hear him saying 'mummy' about you (along the lines of 'X is not your mummy, mum is!') and be angry with the child or shame them. So it may be a good idea to either pre-empt with the family and tell them what has been decided and why, or at least equip the child with what to say if they do start having a go at him.

Tlolljs · 24/04/2024 22:46

This is one of the best threads I’ve read on here.
You are an absolute star. Those children are lucky to have you in their lives. Best wishes to you all.

SoapyBubblesLittleTroubles · 24/04/2024 23:31

They are incredibly lucky to have someone so awesome step up for them and you should of course be called Mummy. You've stepped into the role and you're their safe person and it makes your their mummy in their eyes (and mine).

They will grow up and look back and feel incredibly lucky to have been loved and cared for by someone who chose to do so, not because of blood lines but because of how much they mattered to you and that's a powerful thing 💜

SoapyBubblesLittleTroubles · 24/04/2024 23:37

I lost my mum last year and had been feeling a bit sad tonight - this thread, and a pile on of support for the OP, has reminded me about all the good things in the world. I only really come on Mumsnet looking for the cheeky fuckers of the world 😁

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