What's in a Name?

My Mother was always "Mum or Mummy", she would have hated being a "Mom or Mommy". Perhaps for this very reason I have chosen to go with Mommy and always sign it, with an 'o' in it, although I also get called "Muu-uum" and I don't object to the 'u' version either. However what I am not liking at all is what many of M's friends at primary school have adopted.......... "Mumma".

I am NOT a Mumma. I'm not entirely sure why I hate this so much, possibly there is some connection to the fact I am unhappy at being overweight, but M has fallen into doing this twice today and is likely to get a clip round the ear if he does it again! Be warned, young Padawan.

Tell me, what are you called or what did you call your Mum? Is it just me?

and while I am on the subjects of Moms, 

What makes a good Mommy/Mummy?

Is it about being hip, cool and relaxed or firm, disciplined and controlling? Is it about going out to work to provide nice things and enable all kinds of clubs and opportunities or staying at home,spending "quality" time and teaching how to manage without? Is it about nagging them to get their homework done and being strict about no play time until the chores are done or letting them find out for themself the consequences of not handing in the work on time?

Is it possible to be always approachable and a good listener on every subject from puberty to racism aswell as someone whose standards dictate that certain things are just not acceptable. Yes, love is absolutely the most important thing, but is it possible for your kids to always believe that's how you feel when they also need discipline?

Someone once wrote "being a mother is a little challenging at times, but just keep calm and stay patient". Oh boy, that has to be one of the BIGGEST understatements of all times - a little challenging!! There are times I'm convinced that Ban-ki Moon can't have the disputes to manage that I do.

Tonight I am struggling to be a good Mommy, instead I am a cross Mommy! M put on a brand new T-shirt tonight to go out to the Cricket club for an hour or so and within 2 hours of putting on said T-shirt it looks like this:-

 Now if I didn't know any better I'd think the moths had got to it, but are they really that quick? There are also holes in the dark section which aren't as visible. Now, I know this T-shirt only cost £2.00 from Tesco (sadly that probably means it was made by someone M's age, 8), but that's really not the point, (the price I mean, not the slave labour). It was BRAND NEW on and he's only worn it for less than 2 hours. If the deterioation were to continue at that rate, he would be naked within a week!! I can't afford an additional £2.00 per week on T-shirts!!

I haven't shouted, although I have expressed my sadness about the situation, in particular the lack of concern shown after it was pointed out, which really wound me up. I'm biteing my tongue and quietly seething inside. Hopefully now I've vented slightly, I can act like a good Mommy and explain why this shouldn't happen again "in a nice way". Unfortunately, that won't repair the T-shirt. Grrrr!!

Lots of Love Arwedd xx