I'm Not Your Mama!

[Kabob]

I don't mind when the dck slip up and call me mama. I get it. But 22 month old dcb is constantly calling me mama. He does it in a way that is now upsetting my ds. Ds says "That's MY mama. Your mama is working." Dcb will continue saying mama over and over again. I remind him of my name and then repeat just my name when he says mama again and then ignore. He then will scream mama over and over until the other kids try to tell him my name. It's just easier to let him call me mama but it is upsetting and confusing to the others. Plus I'm sure his mom would be jealous...

Never had this problem before....

[Shell]

Ignore- he's looking for attention. When he legitimately needs your attention for something, say, "silly, I'm miss (your name)" and I would say it real low key so he doesn't get your attention for it.

[Kabob]

Ignore- he's looking for attention. When he legitimately needs your attention for something, say, "silly, I'm miss (your name)" and I would say it real low key so he doesn't get your attention for it.

Lately it's when he needs something too. Like help with something or so forth. So I feel like a meanie ignoring while he's screaming mama in those cases. The rest of the day it is easy to ignore as he just wants to talk.

I suppose I just need to be more firm about my name.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

"Mama..."
"MISS SOANDSO"
"Mama"
"MISS SOANDSO"


Firmly but not harshly, if that makes sense, and with a smile.

[sugar buzz]

I had this situation with a former dcg. Her mother invited me to a Pampered Chef party, and I felt pressured to go--this was in the beginning of my daycare experience. The little girl insisted on calling me "Mommy," the entire time, in front of her parents, their relatives, their friends. It was horrible. I corrected her non-stop, but the relatives just glared at me. She knew that I wasn't her mom, she just generalized the term. When I have this situation now, I just correct by saying: "C•••••'s Mommy." I also decline invitations to client's parties.

[Kabob]

"Mama..."
"MISS SOANDSO"
"Mama"
"MISS SOANDSO"


Firmly but not harshly, if that makes sense, and with a smile.

Yeah....that became a fun game for everyone today. :: This kiddo is my most stubborn one! But it's doable...just frustrating at times.

And I would be mortified if he called me mama in front of his parents. His mom wouldn't be pleased...

[midaycare]

The majority of my dck's call be mama. They know the difference, but still use the term. Part of this is because when my DS was home this summer he was constantly "Mama, Mama, Mama..." and the kids started copying him. DS is constantly calling my name, whether dck's are here or not. He got annoyed at the other kids calling me Mama, so I reminded him he created a lot of the issue. Now he calls me "Ms. Midaycare" in front of the kids.

I also do as PP's - "Mama!" "Ms. Midaycare?" Over and over and over again. Finally, after 6 months (6!!!) it is starting to sink in.

[Turquoise14]

It does grate on the nerves, doesn't it? When I started a few months ago, it did bother ds. I guess he's over it because he doesn't bother to correct dcb2 anymore. Dcb hardly talks. He can only say about ten words maybe. Don't think he could even say my one syllable name. I think it's just any female adult is a mommy and males daddy as far as I can see, but I would never mention it to his mom. My own son who is almost three has been know to call a friend's dad daddy sometimes. I figure it'll go away as he can talk better. Hopefully.

[midaycare]

Just wanted to add that when a parent drops off and picks up here, everyone goes, "Hi Mama!" Or "Hi Daddy!" Everyone knows its not their parent, but they don't know what to call them, I think, so Mama/Daddy seems to work.

[Kelly]

My dcb who is 2.5 usually calls me Mom, has ever since he started talking. He knows my name, the Mom thing is just a habit. I think it's because he hears my kids call me that. My kids don't care, I don't care and dcb's mom doesn't care so I just let it go.

[nannyde]

"Mama work. Go play"

Every single time.

No touch
No eye contact
Calm plain monotone voice

Turn body away and walk away.

[e.j.]

She knew that I wasn't her mom, she just generalized the term.

Most of my little ones will call me Mama or Mommy at some point. It's a phase that doesn't usually last too long. I have one dcg who is doing it now. I do correct her each time but I have to admit, I think it's adorable. The way she says it just makes me laugh. It might bother me more if my own kids or her mother seemed upset when she said it, though. I'm lucky that her mom isn't offended by it.

Sugar buzz, I just had to laugh at the thought of you sitting among the relatives and friends being glared at by all of them each time your dcg called you Mommy. How uncomfortable that must have been for you! I can understand why you might turn down invitations after that!::

[racemom]

When dck's call me mommy I usually say Mommy is working, I'm Denise. Usually a few times of that they get it. When I have a certain 2 year old around I don't have to say it she tells them! But it is probably easier for them, because I don't have my own saying mommy.

[Kabob]

To be fair, I instinctively react to "mama" and ds kinda leads the way in calling me mama, so I just need to retrain myself when responding to this kiddo. He calls my dh by his name and all the other kids by their names so I just need to retrain myself to only respond with a simple response as you guys suggested and leave it. Just never had such a stubborn kiddo.

[sugar buzz]

Most of my little ones will call me Mama or Mommy at some point. It's a phase that doesn't usually last too long. I have one dcg who is doing it now. I do correct her each time but I have to admit, I think it's adorable. The way she says it just makes me laugh. It might bother me more if my own kids or her mother seemed upset when she said it, though. I'm lucky that her mom isn't offended by it.

Sugar buzz, I just had to laugh at the thought of you sitting among the relatives and friends being glared at by all of them each time your dcg called you Mommy. How uncomfortable that must have been for you! I can understand why you might turn down invitations after that!::

Oh my gosh--the most awkward situation ever!!:::: I just kept thinking that they thought I was some creepy "Hand that Rocks the Cradle" provider.::::