All of my children call me "mom". They have always called me that and have never thought to call me anything but that.
Then came Spencer. It started with Spencer calling Evan by his first name. It was kind of cute, but we still corrected him with "Dad". This started about a month or so ago. Why would he think to call Evan by his first name when all his sisters call him "Dad". It began by calling "Dad" and then when Evan didn't answer, Spencer called him "Evan" in hopes of getting his attention.
About two weeks ago I realized that Spencer was calling me by my first name. I thought I always answered him when he said "mom", so I couldn't figure out why he was using my first name. I have always loved the way little children try to say "Stephenie" because it is usually slaughtered pretty bad, but none-the-less adorable. As was the case with Spencer. Of course lately he has thrown out the "mom" and "dad" altogether and we are completely on a first name basis, regardless of our efforts to correct him.
This was really brought to my attention yesterday when we were at the neighborhood pool swimming together as a family. Evan had Spencer is his arms and the girls were swimming all over the pool. I was somewhat close to Spencer when he said, "Steph!" I have never had a child call me by that! It took me by surprise.
It is funny the things kids do. He is not following his sisters in this first-name thing, he is being his own little self. I love seeing his personality and his independence emerge now that he is approaching 2. Hopefully this first name thing is a phase, and I will enjoy it (and tolerate it)while it lasts.
1 comment:
My kids love to call Glen and me by our first names. Sometimes it's adorable, sometimes it drives me nuts. They usually do it when they can't get our attention by screaming Mom or Dad, or just to be funny. Where do they get their ideas?
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