From the days of their infancy, I have referred to myself exclusively as "Mom". And to Ben as "Dad".
I didn't spend any time agonizing over this decision, but it was most certainly on purpose. I just don't like the sound of "mommy", in my head it sounds so whiiiiiny, like that old Chloraseptic commercial that my own mother always hated, where the little girl is in bed repeating to herself, it'll hurt if I swallow, it'll hurt if I swallow, it'll hurt if I .... MOMMY!
I didn't take to "momma" at all either. That's just doesn't sound like me. I'm a MOM.
So, my kids have called me Mom since they've been able to utter single-syllable words.
I've noticed many of my friends do not feel this same way. In fact, they revel in the "mommy" or "momma" titles, so much that they feel a twinge of sadness when their children grow old enough to decide that "mommy" sounds too childish, so they switch to "mom" of their own accord.
I guess I'm missing whatever that mommy gene is, it's probably the same one that regulates gardening because try as I might I cannot get myself to care one whit about what's growing in my yard.
Anyway, for six years, I've been Mom and only Mom.
Then along came Sophie.
Of all three of my kids, she's the only one that has figured out that "Mommy" can be a more disarming, endearing way to address me. And she uses it whenever she wants to really lay on the charm.
I'm kind of getting a glimpse of why those other moms might like it.
She's syrupy sweet with her use of this moniker, cocks her head to the side when she says it, and usually employs a slight smile and eye twinkle as accompaniment.
Mommy, let's cuddle!
Oooh, I YUV you, Mommy!!
Look!! There's my mommy!
She does this with Ben, too. She went so far as to call him "Daddy Waddy" the other day.
This kid. Oy.
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