I vividly recall the moment each of my three children first uttered “mama.” Long before they were truly ready, I would eagerly watch as they shaped their adorable little lips, murmuring “mm-mmaa mm-mmaa mm-mmaa,” determined not to miss the magic of hearing my new title. The significance of that single word is hard to articulate.
Mama.
The day they said it felt like they were claiming me as their One True Love.
As they grew, the term “Mama” evolved into “Mommy.” Mama was the one who changed diapers, nursed them, and soothed their nighttime fears. Mommy was there for countless meals (most of which went uneaten), library trips, playground adventures, and their very first days of school. Together with Mommy, they learned to read and ride bikes, gradually becoming more independent while I stayed close by.
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment it happened, but one ordinary day, it was as if a switch flipped. Perhaps my oldest was searching for a missing baseball cleat or my middle child needed a lift to a friend’s house. Suddenly, I found myself no longer being called Mommy. I had transitioned to Mom.
I hadn’t given it much thought until recently. My youngest, a full five and a half years younger than his closest sibling, embraces his role as the ultimate purveyor of cute and clever remarks. He often says, “I love you, Mommy,” at the most unexpected times. But I know that soon enough, those sweet words will come in the casual tone of a preteen or the bashful rush of a teenager, and “Mommy” will no longer be the name he chooses for me. I will become “Mom” to him as well.
That change is on the horizon. My title and responsibilities will shift once again. Where once Mommy kept him close to tend to his every need, Mom will take a step back, allowing him to learn and grow into the person he is meant to be. While I’ll still be there, I’ll be observing from a distance.
Being their Mom is a wonderful experience—one I will always treasure. I will hold the title of Mom for the rest of our lives. Yet, a part of me will always long for those days when I was their beloved Mommy.
So for now, whenever my youngest whispers “I love you, Mommy,” I pause to truly absorb those words. I let them wash over me, nurturing my soul. I wrap him in a warm embrace and respond, “Mommy loves you too.”
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Summary
The transition from “Mommy” to “Mom” is a bittersweet journey filled with cherished memories and inevitable change. As children grow, so too does their language and their relationship with their parents. Embracing this evolution allows parents to support their child’s independence while holding on to the love and affection that defined their early years.