Do not ever call me mum.

I am opening my books for 3 high-achieving women who will unleash their power no matter what in 2023 and desire guidance to step into the 2nd chapter of their life with more confidence, grace and expanded capacity in 2023.⠀
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I've been down to the mere shell of myself. Perceived myself as reduced to a function. The feeder, protector, nurturer. The sorting things out person, running a household, keeping a family together and his back free as much as possible so at least he can make a business happen. It's early parenthood normality. Isn't that what it is to be a Mum?⠀
You park your own dreams, ambitions and views of how you'd love life to be because you turn from who you are to being a MUM.⠀
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If so, do not call me Mum. Because that's not how I want to be seen. That's not what it's like to be a mum.⠀
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I am proud to be the nurturer and miracle worker for my children. I love being a mother. ⠀
But I don't like the idea of 'just a mum' because there is no JUST in "just a mum".⠀
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Whether you work or not, you are NEVER JUST a mum. A mother is a woman who has children and that is a lot on any given day. You are still your own person. With needs and desires and power.⠀
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Are you really 'just a mum', the 'school mum', 'football mum' -the person whose existence is serving your offspring to the point of complete self-sacrifice?⠀
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And is that what you want to teach your children? You can do what you want in life if you believe in yourself.⠀
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But mums don’t just do what THEY want. Remember, it's about the kids now.⠀
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Ah yes…about that. Time for bed, Night night. And you give a kiss and sneak out of the room trying not to sigh too loud.⠀
Every doctor's appointment or hospital stay this gets reinforced. MUM, they call you. And then proceed to talk to you about your child. Even your NAME is now MUM.⠀
Not on my watch.⠀
So when I'm at the hospital, this is what I say:⠀
"MUM?"⠀
"No."⠀
"Are you mum?"⠀
"No. I’m sorry."⠀
"Are you not Tuffel’s mum?"⠀
"Yes, I am Tuffel’s mother."⠀
"So you’re mum."⠀
"I’m not your mum. You can call me Evelyne."⠀
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If you think this is pedantic? Think again. Let your power rise again.