I don’t know if it’s a new phase, because she’s turning six tomorrow, or we’ve watched Tangled too many times…but I wasn’t pleased with the newest name she had for me, Mother.
“Good bye Mother, have a good day!” she said as she left for school this week. Then the next night when she was frustrated she proclaimed, “OK Mother, fine!”
Oh boy.
It came out of the blue and completely threw me. Yes it could be construed as polite, or proper even, but to me it sounds so…I don’t know…horrific-ly wretched? I mean when did I become Mother?! I’m supposed to be mommy, or maybe someday mom, but Mother? I immediately pictured Mother Gothel or the wicked stepmother in Cinderella and cringed. The only time I use the word mother is when my own mom starts lecturing me about something, and I flippantly retort, “Yes Mother!” (It’s clearly not a term of endearment.)
But I wasn’t prepared when I first heard this from my little bean, because for me it’s just another reminder that she is getting older, and officially not a baby anymore.
It’s funny how we urge them when they’re little to start talking….practicing the ‘m – m – ma – ma – ma’ sound. We can’t wait to hear them say it finally…and for most little ones the first word is mama. When she first said it at ten months old it brought tears to my eyes…and I loved hearing her call for mama every morning.
Photo Erin Miller Photography
As she grew…her terms for me did as well. Of course the toddler years brought the most used mommy, and every once in a while in preschool she called me just plain mom. And I was totally OK with that…but mother was a whole new level of suckiness.
Mother for some reason reminded me of how independent she’s becoming, and how much I miss her while she’s at Kindergarten until 2:15 every day. She’s writing complete sentences, her artwork is A-freaking-MAZING, and she’s reading entire books now. Mother also reminded me that I can’t pick her up anymore…she’s grown so tall and heavy that I can’t pretend to cradle her like a baby. She’s nearly six, and is a ‘big’ kid now, with her own personality, spirit and temper.
…and these six years have certainly felt like lightning. And while we may be celebrating her sixth birthday tomorrow and lavishing her with presents…she is the real gift.
She is the embodiment of love, so full of hope and joy. She makes us smile and laugh every day with her new vocabulary, silliness, and skills that she’s mastered. Sometimes there are those tough moments, and speed bumps we weren’t expecting…but she is the best thing that’s happened to us. And quite honestly every day I’m reminded that she gave me the greatest gift…she made me a mother.
The word that made me shudder when I first heard it spoken, could be the greatest one of all. The origin, the creator, the caretaker, the friend, the person who will think of her every single day no matter where she goes. So when she calls me that now I’ll smile, knowing how lucky I am to be her mother. My heart no longer belongs just to me…it will forever be split in three.
Photo Kim Ruoff Photography
My oldest is also almost 6 and some days I just can’t believe how grownup she is now either. Seriously, where does the time go?! Mine just told me today I should have waited to get married and then explained that it should have been after Frozen and this way I could have had her then and name her Elsa instead of Emma. So, trust me I, too, was most definitely speechless to say the least!
Ha! They are such little people aren’t they?
Lol Mother Gothel. My daughter tried to call me by my first name once. She calls me “Mom” when she is annoyed and is also 6.
What is it with all this growing up nonsense??
funnily enough, I still call my own mother “mommy”! My kids call me mommy but sometimes like to use my first name – which I don’t love! happy b.day to your 6 year old!!
Sniff sniff, so bittersweet! Happy birthday to your sweet girl and Happy Mother Day to you! It is such a gift.
I haven’t had to deal with the “mother” thing yet. My daughter, who is 3, has started telling me, “I’m not a baby, I’m a big girl” and “Don’t call me baby, my name is Shelby”. *tear*
Such a sweet post! It is crazy how quickly they grow up!
OMG–She is too too cute. When she starts calling you MOTHER–you know it’s serious. Love this
Yeah, seriously and positively horrible! lol!
Such a sweet post – It made me realize that my 9yo daughter has yet to call me ‘mother’, but I’m sure the day she does it will involve a BIG eye roll.
You MOTHER!! LOL! Very sweet..they just grow up so fast..the other day I think my 2 year old said something to the effect of “Oh My Gah” LOL!!!
Right? I know – I can’t believe how quick it’s gone!
Happy Happy Sixth Bday- my 6yo hasn’t said “mother” yet so I guess I must get prepared. I, too, can’t carry him anymore. Sometimes I try and cradle him for old times sake but it doesn’t really work.
It’s sad… they grow-up way too fast!! You are so right, the days are long and years a short… too short! I cried when Livvy called me Mom for the first time, I was like ‘No, I’m Mommy!’ I am right here with ya Mama!!
Happy almost birthday to your sweet girl! It does go by lightening fast and then the next time you blink she will be a teen. You have the right attitude, enjoy this time of your life and the special gift of being a Mother.
Thanks Jen- it’s going too fast!
very very sweet. they are the true gift. and be glad she’s not calling your mommy dearest (old movie)… as i did to my mom when i was a kid! she really didn’t like that!
I loathe that movie, but know the woman who played the oldest daughter!
Just celebrated my daughter’s 5th birthday on Sunday, so hard to believe how time flies. Your children are beautiful!!
Mother Gothel! That was absolutely my first thought too. I’ve always been Mama and I hope I can keep it up for years. My mom was mama and then mommy and has been mom ever since.
So beautiful! It’s interesting to see their personalities take shape and the funny expressions they come up with.
Aw. They grow so fast. My daughter is 7 and will sometimes call me Mother. But it’s mostly, “Mom-MEEEE,” in this irritated tone.
Oh my… Mother would push me over the edge but at least it’s not Mommy Dearest! I used to call my mom that when she ticked me off (I watched the movie too many times at a young age). NO MORE WIRE HANGERS! Good grief.
You post made me well up. My oldest just turned 7 and I feel like time is slipping away from me. It’s beautiful and challenging all at once.
Thanks for sharing (and for making me bawl).
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Sorry and no mommy dearest…but I do love that old movie for some odd reason.
Awwww 🙂 Such a sweet post! Your little angel is so precious and I LOVE the quote (retweeted) about how days are long but years are short. I feel that quote every single hour of every single day! So hard to live and take it in at the same time….I often feel I am incredibly lacking in that regard.
ALSO just have to mention I LOVE the new blog look! So clean and beautiful!
What a sweet post! I remember in high school, whenever I was frustrated with my mom, I would always call her mother! I can only imagine how weird it would be to be called that!
Right?! We all do it to our mother’s – but never want o be that person. But we are and we do turn into them!