2 and still hasn't said Mumma - 2 and still hasn't said Mumma

BeckyS wrote: My little girl just turned 2 years old in april...and she still hasn't called me Mumma...She has said Daddy since forever...and she knows that I am indeed her Mumma...if DH and I are sitting next to each other and you tell her to bring something to Mumma she will bring it to me...if you show her a picture of the three of us, and ask who is this, she'll say Daddy...and who is this? And she'll say Molly (pretty close to Mumma) and then point to me and say who is this? She'll shake her head no and cry...if you ask her to say Mumma she just gets upset...I'm trying not to take it personally but it's pretty hard not to...I've even spoken to her Pediatrician about it...she says I'm just taking it personally because it's Mumma...Well, she IS 2 and hasn't said it yet...and it's hard to not blame myself...any thoughts??

Alice replied: I have no background in psychology, but 2 is about that age where separation becomes an issue. Is it possible that she doesn't like admitting that you're two separate people?? Maybe it scares her on some level.

If she's affectionate to you in other ways, I would try to find a way to get past it. Or maybe start calling yourself something different: sweetheart or something and see if she plays along. Perhaps it's something about the word that frightens her.

BeckyS replied: thank you so much for responding...I was afraid no one ever would...thank you for the tip...sounds very interesting...I'll try anything at this point...thanks again

Alice replied: I know what you mean (and by the way, welcome!!). It's sooo hard not to take personally something like that-- you know she can say "daddy", why not your name??? It's so hard when they can't just talk and TELL you what the problem is, ya know?? Then you could swoop in and find a solution.

But, as I said, as long as it's a speech thing, not an affection thing, I think you're probably OK. If she doesn't want to call you anything in particular, could you work on a special mommy-daughter hug or something else non-verbal??

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Yeah.... maybe try changing the word - see if that makes a difference.... My daughter is 16 months old and doesn't call me Mommy either.... but when I walk in to the room, or if she sees me in a picture, she'll say it.....otherwise it's just "Unh - unh - unh..." until I pick her up.

Celestrina replied: Trust me, you aren't alone on this one. My son, who is also two, has only just started talking. He hasn't said "mommy" or "daddy" yet, but he did say "Aunt Gina" when he saw a pic of my SIL. Sometimes I think they do these things just to annoy us. According to my mom, I said "car" before I said "mommy".

Jamison'smama replied: I would guess it just isn't a word she feels she has mastered yet. My daughter couldn't say dog--she would point to a dog and say woof--we would tell her " say dog say dog" etc. and then she would burst into tears. One day, we were just calling a dog a woof and she said--dog. It's like they practice it in their minds until they can get it right. Does she make any sort of sound or gesture meaning you?

BeckyS replied: OMG...thank you soooo much for your responses...I was absolutely convinced that I was completely alone and that this would happen only to me...whew...that being said...let me give you all a little more info...Im a SAHM so she sees me all day every day...and I'm beginning to think that maybe it's just that she's taking me for granted...but she does get very upset when we ask her to say Mumma...which leads me to believe that she's just frustrated that she can't say it? But she does say her own name (Molly) and Mickey...and moo...so do I just keep saying Mumma when I refer to myself? I'm so confused

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Yup!

it'll come!

MommyToAshley replied: Two is also an age where they become very stubborn and want to do things their own way. If your daughter is anything like mine, the more you want her to do something the more likely she is to do the opposite. Or, maybe she can sense that you are upset, and isn't sure why so she doesn't want to say Mumma. Just a thought. But, putting less emphasis on it might help. I could be totally wrong, but it is worth a try.

You really can't take it personally... she knows and loves her Mumma. It may seem like she is taking you for granted because you are there all the time, but the opposite is probably true... she knows who she can count on day after day, whether she says it or not.

By the way, welcome to Parenting Club! I am looking forward to getting to know you. I love the picture in your avatar, she's adorable!

3xmommy replied: You have nothing to worry about. Trust me. LOL.

My two year old has only just started calling me "Mom"... before now, it was nothing but "*grunt grunt*". She's been able to say dada/daddy for the longest time... and mammy... and well, several words... but only now able to say my name. Mabey the word is harder to say? Im unsure. My 5 year old can't say words starting with "F"... if she says fish, flag, etc... it's pish, plag, plower...

She'll say it eventually though... just take it easy and listen carefully. Soon you'll be wishing she didn't say it so much!


Diane

SOUTHERN MOMMY replied: You may want to ask all of your family to call you mommy she may be confused as to what your name really is. I know my son was he called me tiffany for a year until my doctor suggested that everyone call me mommy and after a few weeks it worked like magic. Hang in there she knows who you are!!!