My 2-year-old calls me by name instead of Mama?

Question

She hears everyone around her call me Niinnaa and thats exactly what she calls me. She exactl who mama is and sometimes calls me that but the majority is Niinnaa. How can I get her to call me Mama expecially in public since everyone thinks i'm baby-sitting my little niece or the neighor's kid.

Answer 1

Its normal, since children this age always copy behaviour, thats the way they learn! (I'm a father of 4)
Just correct your child every time, and she will stop eventualy. No need to fuss over.

Answer 2

As a lot of the others posters are saying its only a phase.
She is testing out this new thing she has learn't...... talking!
She is watching and learning all the time and it won't take long before she gets it.

If it is really upsetting you try saying...
Mama will be right back.
Can you give Mama that?
Kiss Mama goodnight etc.
That way she might relate the name Mama to you.

Answer 3

I was a single parent with my 1st son. I used to have to correct him for a brief period when he called me by my name.

Try referring to yourself in 3rd person by calling your self mama. For Ex. say "Do you want mama to give you cereal?"

Also you can also engage in the help of others. Have them refer to you as mama. For Ex. they can say "I gave your mama a toy for you". A child is going to want to call you what everyone else is calling you. The adults can stop eventually. However, it shouldnt be a bother for adults to say "your mom, or your mother" when talking to your child about something involving you.

Children are every perceptive, they pick up things way faster than us and can change behaviors just as quickly. At the parks other kids are calling their moms, mama, etc. You child sees that too. It'll pick up. Here's another trick to help push it along.

Its ok to correct your child. Try to avoid using the word no. It can make them think that they are doing something wrong or worse something bad. Heres a good technique to use which avoids the use of the word "no". For ex: Your child says "Niinnaa, i wanna a cookie. please." You can say "Mommy will give you a cookie."

In no time, trust me, it will work. You must be persistant. But dont be surprised if your child changes the variations of your title. Mama may soon become "mom" for everyday and "mommy" when your child wants to be on your good side. Smile.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Your two-year old loves you and calls you by your first name because your two-year old hears EVERYONE calling you by that name. This child is just trying to get in on it and be like everyone else.

Children like to fit in. If you really need to have your child call you mama..then let a few people around you ...your mom or dad..begin calling you mama too. Your child will begin copying them and will call you mama.

However, it's not necessary for your child to call you mama. You both know you are the mom. and you both love each other.

Let the child be..and accept that child no matter what she or he calls you ..


You are not defined by what people call you; you are defined by the person that you expect to be and by the person you choose to be.

Names that people call you are so unimportant...and teaching your child that can help that child in his /her future life.

Answer 5

It will happen eventually.

You really can't make a two-year-old do anything they don't want to do. You might be able to trick her into it by playing name games - You call her Mama, she calls you by her own name - and then switch (if you can!).

Don't worry what other people think. She KNOWS you're her Mama, so do you. That's all that matters.

Answer 6

My sons have never done that but you could try not responding to them until they call you mama. Also (like the person said above) tell them you have changed your name and it is no longer Beth, have your husband call you mama too.

Answer 7

ask everyone else to call you mama! Just for a little while untill she gets used to it, it might seem strange at 1st but you and other people will get used to it. Good Luck i know how much it hurts for your own child to call you by your real name

Answer 8

It's a phase. She'll grow out of it even if you do nothing. Either ignore her entirely when she does it (almost impossible to do when you hear your name!!), or just respond as if she called you "mama". Then be sure that she hears "mama" referring to you. A lot of toddlers do it, and it passes.

Answer 9

My daughter did that too when she was about 2 or 3, but within a short time started calling me mom instead. It's a phase.

Answer 10

It really is just a phase. You will just have to put up with it for a short time. You can tell you son or daughter when he or she calls you by your name thay you are mama not ninnaa. They do outgrow it, I think they all do it. My daughters little boy will call me mom from hearing his mom call me mom. It is a phase.

Answer 11

My niece use to do that but instead she called me mama so when she calls you by your name say mama and just keep saying it she will get use to it