How do I get my 3.5 year old to stop calling me mum?

[whistlers]

Started a couple of days ago and it's constant.

I would like to be called mummy again. Mum sounds dreadful.

I’m the opposite. I’ve always been mum. Mummy makes my teeth itch.

@flowerpootle

In terms of picking your battles - this is not the one I'd pick.

Agreed. It's a completely illogical 'battle' as it's totally normal to move onto calling you mum. It does not mean they are growing up to quick or that they are no longer little.

It's just a word and trying to force them to call you mummy again when you know they will eventually revert back to mum again seems like making a point for the sake of it.

Ah yes, 'mummy' whilst batting eyelashes when they want something (cash, a lift, new clothes)

'Mother dearest' when they think they've got one over on you

'First name' - as above

I'll settle for 'mum'

But, yes, mummy is age-appropriate for a 3yo.

I think refusing to respond when he calls you mum is really unkind.

It's fine to want mummy from a 3 year old I think.

I remember as a teen going through a phase of calling my Mum Moo-ma
Her hating it was hilarious to me

If you really want DC to stop, you will have to correct him Every. Single. Time. which tbh I think is more hassle than it's worth - if I remember my 'threenagers' this would have been just too much for me

It could be just a passing phase, a bit like when little ones learn a word they shouldn't use and then say it all the time because they realise it presses your buttons. Maybe just correct with Mummy whenever Mum is used and reinforce by referring to "Mummy will do this and Mummy will do that". Mine both called me Mummy for years, I think DS went seamlessly from Mummy to Mother at some point in teenagehood. There are many things with children that you just can't really control though unless you take extreme steps to do so which isn't reasonable or acceptable.

He's probably heard other kids calling their parents mum/dad and emulating it.

I understand your feelings but he's 3 so he's unlikely to be able to understand your feelings about it and change it. I think you will only cause confusion/ distress trying to change it.

I do know what you mean "mum" seems very grown up.... although I just passed my DS5 a drink and he replied "thank you Dave". I am not called Dave.

I’d quite like my 13 year old to graduate to Mum….

Also tbh I'd rather they used "mum" a little early than carried on with "mummy" as older kids

DD is 2 and has taken to calling DH by his whole name then falling about laughing. I’m sure it’ll change back again.

I’m still ‘mumma’ to my 7 and 6 year olds, no idea where it even came from! Don’t think they’ve ever called me ‘mum’. I think it’s perfectly normal to prefer ‘mummy’ at 3 OP!

People here actually refuse to answer their child if they say mum?? How bizarre.

@LunaMay

It's fine to want mummy from a 3 year old I think.

I remember as a teen going through a phase of calling my Mum Moo-ma
Her hating it was hilarious to me

9 yo dd dies a good line in “Mamaaah” if she wants something.

I live in the US and mine frequently call me ‘mommy’. That really does set my teeth on edge. But I agree that not answering to it seems mean. I mean ‘in 18 months you can use this term but right now you have to call me a longer version of it or else I won’t respond’ does not sound logical. You might be sad about it, frustrated even but I wouldn’t take to ignoring him when he says mom.
Refer to yourself as ‘mummy’ and if it’s a phase it will pass.

@HerMammy I know right?! Sounds abusive giving your child the silent treatment because they don't call u mummy

Could be worse, could call you “muver” like a friends son did.

@nimbuscloud

I think refusing to respond when he calls you mum is really unkind.

I agree 100%. People are very entitled- think how much some women would love to hear the word “Mum” and stop being so controlling and ungrateful.

@HerMammy

People here actually refuse to answer their child if they say mum?? How bizarre.

This!!

How can someone blatantly ignore their child when they're calling their mum... well, mum?

Mummy will turn in to 'mum' at some point. Yes mummy sounds nicer when the child is younger but it's inevitable!

When you are well.. just that. A mum!

@HerMammy

People here actually refuse to answer their child if they say mum?? How bizarre.

Agreed. This place just gets weirder by the day. Just go ahead and emotionally abuse your 3 year olds because they choose to use a perfectly valid word to address you by instead of the one you would prefer.

Wait until they figure out you have a proper name.

That’s when it gets interesting!

Haha my dc started that too ! I correct her and now I get a mix of mummy and mum. Dh wasn’t bothered so he’s now permanently dad !

@AliMonkey

I have the opposite problem. DD16 still often calls me Mummy (though also Mum sometimes) but worse is that so does DH - understandable when in earshot of DC when they were little, and ok if referring to me when talking to DC but I refuse to answer if he calls me using Mummy. But he still keeps doing it.

Eww that would make my thighs clamp shut

I think refusing to respond when he calls you mum is really unkind.

This. Such a strange thread!