What's in a Name?

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" - because after all, what's in a name? As a step-mum, I've never been hung up on what my step-children call me ... as long as it's not "late for dinner!" It's honestly never been about the title for me - it's about the bond and relationship. It's the laughter, the trust, the small moments that build a bond over time. That's what matters to me.

Some people get very protective over titles, especially when it comes to the word "mum" or variations thereof. But to me, there are so many kinds of mothers in the world - biological, step, adoptive, foster, surrogate ... to name a few - each one playing their own nuturing, guiding role in a child's life. The word "mother" doesn't belong to one definition; it's an act, not a label.

I've always let my step-children decide what feels right to them. Whether it's my name, a nickname, mum (or a version of mum) or something completely their own. So this is what they have traditionally done and what they have chosen to call me includes all the above options depending on the circumstances or situation. And that's fine by me. What I care about is that they feel comfortable and connected.