Mummy-fied!

There are few events, in one’s life, that can be truly called life-changing. Becoming a mother is one of them. Suddenly, from being this care-free, independent person, you metamorphose to being this constant care-giver, whose every action has an equal re-action on another tiny being. Its huge, monumental and yes, life-changing.

And yes I have ranted about all the changes I have made, I have had to make in my life. Some big, some small. However, there is one that I am unable to face up to. Its being ‘Mummi-fied’. From being this person, with an individuality and characteristics of my own – I am now ‘a Mummy’ with universal characteristics of mummys. From ‘Moms don’t swear’ to ‘moms have to be gentle’ I’ve heard it all.

But what hurts me most – is loosing my name. It started out innocuously with hubby one day referring to me as ‘mama’. I may have raised an eyebrow but let it pass nevertheless. But these days, its become kind of regular. Hubby has just stopped referring to me by my name – he calls me ‘mamma’. “Mamma what do we have for dinner?” to “mamma, do you like this?”

My friend M and I once discussed this in college. How some parents – stop referring to each other by their names but become ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy’. How ridiculous it seems. That we sacrifice our individuality to the alter of parenthood. Didn’t think it would hit so close to home. That one professionally qualified man living in the 21^st century would call his professionally qualified post-grad wife ‘mamma’. We could well be living in the 16^th century Great Britain, Mr and Mrs. Briggs with our brood of 6 kids and the lord and master of the house addressing his wife as ‘mother’.

I am so pissed with this dated behavior I want to rouse him back to reality. My reaction? I’ve stopped answering hubby when he calls me ‘mamma’. He thinks that’s cute – so he’s sticking to his guns. And I am going to stick to mine. Lets see who wins this one.