the staff at madeline's nursery are all very friendly, and they know the children they care for very well. they also have recognized us as maddie's parents from our very first visit, with or without baby in tow, something that impressed me.
parents' names, however, are not their forte. instead of trying to learn our names, they call us all "mum" and "dad." i would understand and not mind this if they were talking to the children at the time, but they do it in place of our names, regardless of context. for example:
"dad, can you sign the paperwork here please?"
"what time will you pick up madeline today, mum?"
sometimes they use the extended version: "madeline's mum" or "madeline's dad":
"madeline's mum, here is a menu for this week's meals."
"what time will you be back today, madeline's mum?"
how strange is that? somehow, i am used to the idea that i am someone's mother and that madeline might think of me as mummy. but to have others address me as "mum" is a bit....disconcerting.
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