I vividly recall the moment each of my three sons first called me “Mama.” Even before they were truly capable, I would watch eagerly as they pursed their little lips, fumbling with sounds like “mm-mmaa mm-mmaa mm-mmaa,” determined to capture that precious milestone. The power of that small word, “Mama,” stirred deep emotions within me.
It was as if, the moment they uttered it, they had embraced me as their One True Love. As time passed, “Mama” evolved into “Mommy,” and with it came countless memories: changing diapers, soothing them to sleep, and rushing to their side when they cried out in the night.
“Mommy” was the one who prepared endless meals—often rejected—took them to the library, the playground, and their first days of school. With “Mommy,” they learned to read, ride bikes, and gradually began to assert their independence.
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment it happened, but one day, without warning, I became “Mom.” Perhaps it was during a frantic search for a baseball cleat or when my middle child asked for a ride to a friend’s house. I suddenly found myself in a new role.
I hadn’t given it much thought until recently. My youngest, who is five and a half years younger than his eldest brother, still addresses me as “Mommy” and expresses his affection with sweet, spontaneous declarations of love. But I know the day is fast approaching when those tender words will transform into the more casual “I love you, Mom,” a transition that will undoubtedly come with his journey into preadolescence and beyond.
As “Mom,” I will step back, allowing him to navigate his own path, to learn from both successes and failures. I will always be nearby, but my role will shift as he grows into the person he is meant to be.
Being their Mom is a privilege I hold dear. I will carry that title for the rest of my life, but a part of me will always long for the intimacy of being their “Mommy.”
So for now, when my youngest whispers “I love you, Mommy,” I pause to savor the moment. I let those words envelop me, filling my heart with warmth. I hold him close and respond, “Mommy loves you too.”
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In summary, the transition from “Mommy” to “Mom” marks a significant shift in both a child’s growth and a mother’s experience. While I embrace my new role, the nostalgia for those younger years will always remain close to my heart.