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Anyone else never really felt a strong maternal instinct as a mum?

2 replies

Notfeelingmummode · 19/07/2026 19:27

Do you as a mum feel like a mum.

I love my 2 kids their both in their early 20s now and live alone.
But ive never really felt that mum feeling, like others do i mean im there if they need me always will be.
We get on great as a family but more like good solid friends, if you know what i mean.

But i just never had that oohh im a mum feeling, lucky for me my 2 children dont call me mum very often, they see me they talk i like that.
Ive never liked being called mum.

I told my mum about it when i had my last, she said them feelings will come just give it time, over 20 years on im still waiting for them feeling to arrive.

I just dont have that maternal instinct that parent thing.
Its not effected my children or me but is there anyone else like this.

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PeasandMozzarella · 19/07/2026 23:28

I’m not sure how you can know you don’t have a feeling. I mean, you had children, therefore you’re a mother. Whatever you feel is by definition how a mother feels.

Didimum · 19/07/2026 23:52

I can empathise with this. Two children who I obviously love, and constantly think and worry about with whatever in life they have going on, but I don’t consider myself maternal – or at least ‘classically’ maternal – and I have never really considered being a mum to be a big part of my identity at all. I would say I definitely feel like the odd one out.

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