Why is the term "mommy" used so often now?

[Anonymous]

Oh my damn, I know. I don't really mind being called "mom," which I think I started getting used to when my BF, who is a NICU nurse, would refer to the moms of her little patients that way. But I think that is because they dont' know all the names, and they use that title out of respect. But "mommy?" That has been driving me crazy for a while. I think what bothers me is that it is

a. overly familiar.

My child may or may not call me mommy, but you do not.

b. culturally homogenius

How do you know I'm not mere? Or mama? Or mum?

c. the whole thing smacks of smarmy cutesy shit that has got to stop.

It's "motherhood" or "parenthood" not "mommyhood."

UGH!

I have an acquaintence who refers to me as "mommy" like "oh, you're a good mommy!" or "this is ___, she is mommy to ___." I actually correct her and tell her I don't like the term mommy, especially when she uses it. I'm sure I seem like a crank, but I'd rather seem like a crank than an idiot, which is what I think she sounds like!!!

[Anonymous]

"Maybe it would help if the self-identified Mommies would stop being so totally consumed by it, and expect those around them to fawn in similar fashion. The great majority of women for all of human history have been mothers. Get on with your day. And please bring that voice down an octave or two in pitch. "

And stop saying veggies!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because many moms are just plain annoying and feel they are not being good "mommies" unless their whole identity is in conjunction with their child

Sooo true.

[Anonymous]

"Agree. I have no problem with the term "Mom Blank" but think like OP that "mommy" used by adults is annoying.

I do refer to "mom friends," (friends I met after having a baby and/or who I talk to about child related stuff, vs. work friends, etc.) call myself a "working mom," say I'm having a "mom's night out" or whatever. But yeah, mommy is annoying. "

I find both terms extremely annoying.

[Anonymous]

The term probably came into its own with the rise of the so-called "Mommy Wars" so then the term got stuck to all kinds of other things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really hate it when they name activities "mommy and me" as in mommy and me yoga or mommy and me swimming. I know i might be missing out on some nice activity but I refuse to participate in anything called mommy and me

Totally agree. I'm the one paying, pal. It's "The Kid and I."

[Anonymous]

Interesting. DD and I took a "baby and me" yoga class when she was little, and I assumed they chose that wording to include dads, nannies, and other caregivers, but now I wonder if your idea was part of the impetus.

I must confess that I call the fellow parents in DD's daycare class "X's mom," both to their faces ("DD, say goodbye to C's dad") and behind their backs ("D's mom recommended this diaper cream"), because I simply don't know their names. We see each other for 5 minutes a day during a rushed dropoff, and while we trade intimate info on poop, etc., I have no idea who they are but know (mostly) which kid goes with which grownup. The teachers there do the same thing ("mama, she's out of diapers"). I don't really care if they know my name -- just that they're taking great care of DD.

I call myself "mum" to DD ("give the book to mum") but am also cool with "mama" or "mommy" or whatever, but that should be her call. Definitely icked out by random folks on the Metro calling me "mommy" -- I ain't your mama!

[Anonymous]

pediatrician here - as a kid,i always found it awkward when the dr called my mother "mom" as in "so, mom, we're giving these shots today..."

but now, as so many kids and mothers don;t share last names, and i rarely have the parents name in front of me, i feel weird saying "mrs. brown" when in all likelihood, she is "miss elliot", so i have succumbed to saying "So, mom, how high was the fever?"

any solutions for this?

[Anonymous]

i wouldn't be offended if you just asked me my name. i think my pediatrician has my name in my daughter's chart and she maybe looks at it before she comes in? kind of silly but makes me feel less like a number.

Anonymous wrote:pediatrician here - as a kid,i always found it awkward when the dr called my mother "mom" as in "so, mom, we're giving these shots today..."

but now, as so many kids and mothers don;t share last names, and i rarely have the parents name in front of me, i feel weird saying "mrs. brown" when in all likelihood, she is "miss elliot", so i have succumbed to saying "So, mom, how high was the fever?"

any solutions for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i wouldn't be offended if you just asked me my name. i think my pediatrician has my name in my daughter's chart and she maybe looks at it before she comes in? kind of silly but makes me feel less like a number.

Anonymous wrote:pediatrician here - as a kid,i always found it awkward when the dr called my mother "mom" as in "so, mom, we're giving these shots today..."

but now, as so many kids and mothers don;t share last names, and i rarely have the parents name in front of me, i feel weird saying "mrs. brown" when in all likelihood, she is "miss elliot", so i have succumbed to saying "So, mom, how high was the fever?"

any solutions for this?

cool idea.... but what if i'm not exactly a general pediatrician and more like an emergency room pediatrician, so its not like i see your kid all the time, should i ask every mom/dad's name? what if its urgent? is there a better term to use for the mother? a better way to address her?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My personal pet peeve is the term "mommy juice". It's called WINE.

I've never heard this term but if I had, I would have thought it referred to breast milk. Thanks for the info.

I am so relieved it's not breast milk. And I'm probably pretty close to a "lactivist" (a word that makes me cringe in the way the photos of unshaven women with mirrors in Our Bodies, Ourselves do).

Also, I am repelled by the "Mommy Juice" concept. Does it come in a giant box with a straw? Jebus.

No, no, that's not how "mommy juice" is used. In some houses "mommy juice" or "daddy juice" is coffee. In others it is wine. I used to think it was a way of telling the kid that it is an adult beverage. Then my toddler started calling wine "mommy juice." No, I do drink my "juice" first thing in the morning.

I guess my mind in in the gutter but if I heard "mommy and daddy juice" used together, I wouldn't think coffee or orange juice.

[Anonymous]

My DD calls me "mommy" when she wants me to buy something for her or do something for her.

I'm "mother" when she's mad at me.

Otherwise, I'm "mom".

She'll bust out "mama" from time to time.

I'm sure that she's called me much worse when I'm not around, lol!

[Anonymous]

I still refer to my parents as Mommy and Daddy. I call them Mom and Dad to their face, but refer to them as Mommy and Daddy when speaking about them to each other or my sister. As in "it's Mommy and Daddy's anniversary this weekend" (to sister), or "tell Mommy to call me when she gets home" (to my dad).

Maybe that's annoying, but it rarely is overheard in the company of non-family.

[Anonymous]

Usually our children call us mom & dad, but sometimes when they are feeling especially affectionate they'll call us mommy or daddy and thats fine with us.

Also, sometimes when they are asking for a gift or a favor in which they know they are unlikely to receive they call us mommy or daddy in kind of a coy and joking way also.

Thank god for our children -- they are truly the joy of our lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My personal pet peeve is the term "mommy juice". It's called WINE.

Yeah, my 2yo calls it "mommy's wine". Apparently all wine in the house is mine