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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 IDENTITY CRISIS 
23

Yes, I'm a Mom— But That's Not My Name

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(Newser) – The latest trend in nomenclature rings false to at least one person who recently realized that "Mom" has become "the now generic name for every female parent in our country." Thinking it over, Anne Albeck dates the phenomenon to the early '90s, but familiarity—and overfamiliarity—really does breed contempt. "Being called Mom by everyone from the shoe store clerk to the pediatrician is a little too intimate for me," Albeck writes for the Chicago Tribune.

"This appears to be an adult aberration," she observes. Kids know the power of Mom, even if nobody's getting tattled on: "That's a name reserved for a very special person in his life." She knows she's overreacting, and "all of these grown-ups calling me Mom aren't trying to be rude or inappropriate." Acknowledges Albeck: "Apparently what most people want to call me is anal."

"Being called Mom by everyone from the shoe store clerk to the pediatrician is a little too intimate for" Anne Albeck.   (©Hankish)
People--namely adults--who insist on addressing her as
People--namely adults--who insist on addressing her as "Mom" get Anne Albeck's goat.   (©emilywjones)
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23 comments
VIEWING:
 
DeniseVB
Oct 23, 09 6:23 PM CDT
I've always worn "Mom" as a badge of honor, not quite sure where this piece o'crap article is going, sigh, sorry, guess I'm in Michelle Obama overload for momisms. Reply
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-2
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Oct 23, 09 7:03 PM CDT
A Mom is both a sacred and a very special thing, having a child does ot make a female a Mom any more than fertilizing an egg makes a male a Dad. I have always held there is a difference between a Father and a Dad, a Dad is something much more meaningful as is being a Mom holds much more meaning than being a Mother..... If you are a good parent or had a good parent you will grasp my meaning. Ladies, wear the title Mom proudly..... It makes you most special of all
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+5
IN RESPONSE:
Thinker
Oct 23, 09 7:52 PM CDT
Sacred? Really?! Reader's comment reminds me of the Onion headline, "Miracle of Birth Occurs for the 6 Billionth Time."
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
plstyle
Oct 23, 09 8:19 PM CDT
Thinker- i think Reader would agree with you- since thats exactly what hes saying. Being a "mom" takes more than giving birth, and therefor is sacred. Even though you didn't like being called "mom" i'm sure you weren't a cold hearted thing, and did the "mom" thing when ever it was needed.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Chitrix
Oct 23, 09 9:38 PM CDT
Readers correct, any bitch can drop a litter, takes a special kind of female to be a Mom just like it takes a good male to be a Dad, Sad not everyone knows or has experienced that at least from reading Thinkers posts
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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