This may sound like a minor (and admittedly First World) problem, but I was enjoying running so much, and not being able to do it (hopefully temporarily) has put my whole life off-kilter. In the space of a few weeks I feel as if I have gone from feeling like a physically fit and active person to an old biddy who hobbles round the house with ice packs attached to her legs and has to go for physical therapy sessions. (And these, thanks to lovely American health insurance and their "deductibles", are costing a small fortune).
Somehow this turn of events has managed to put me in a strop about everything else. The usual irritations that I normally brush off - the annoying kid over the road, the constant demands from the school to send in items that I don't just have lying around, the idea that Mitt Romney still might win the US elections in spite of being completely awful- are getting to me too.
Now, his teacher this year is lovely and normally I would laugh at this sort of thing (and I am, sort of), and if it were any other word I would readily accept an American spelling. But, really! Can't a little English boy be allowed NOT to have a Mommy? Even if he did get "Good Job".......
24 comments:
I HATE the 'mom' word when teachers insist on using it to correct my son's use of 'mum'. Must admit that in my own bad moments, I have been known to write rude notes about English spelling being just as good as US spelling - but then I can probably get away with that better than you because you do actually LIVE in the US... I feel your pain, anyway!
Yes he can - I have a French child, a mexican child and a german child in my class and none of those have a Mummy, I make sure I ask them what they want to write.
wow - that's incredibly short-sighted of the teacher. If he wants to call you mummy he should be allowed to. You should have a word - when you've calmed down of course!
Ooh!!! She needs a good slap she does!
And actually, surely "Mummy" is your name, in the sense that that's what he calls you (and that is, legally, all a name is), and therefore you (and he) are entitled to spell it how you like.
If you were a very cool family and he called you Marjorie (or whatever) would she have corrected it to Marjory?
Give her both barrels. And then one from me!
My guess is that Teacher hasn't had much experience with anyone except garden-variety American children. Given the (somewhat) insular nature of the US, she may honestly not even realiz(s)e that 'Mummy' is a legitimate version of the name - consider this your opportunity to expand her awareness! I have no doubt that at the International School my son attends, that wouldn't have even been noticed. Well over half of my own students at the German International School have learned British English, so some of them have a 'Mummy' and some of them have a "Mommy' - and many of them use good old 'Mama!'
PM - I would definitely complain in your position - however, not quite so simple here. Didn't stop me ranting to the boys, though.
Jacqueline- very sensible. I approve!
Expat Mum - not sure if it's worth it, but I might, if I don't cheer up soon...
Planb - the problem is, she's a really lovely teacher and I would hate to cause an upset so early on in the school year. So, I'll probably let this one lie...
Ms Caroline - you might be right - except that she's an experienced teacher and NY is a pretty international place. I think it's more that, although I have explained that we're British, Littleboy 2 sounds fully American and maybe she just wasn't thinking....
The same thing happened (in reverse) to my daughter when she started school in Australia. Her "mom"s were repeatedly corrected to "mum"s. I was slightly ruffled but ultimately found it quite charming. You know, "when in Rome . . ." Hope you're back to running soon.
My girls go from calling me mum in the UK to mom in the US. Mom just doesn't sound right to me here, just as "mum" doesn't sound right to me in the US. I can see how that would bother you though, and maybe a sign of being homesick? I thought you were only there for a couple years????
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr on your behalf - would be making a pointed comment about respecting other cultural norms and that in ENGLISH ENGLISH Mummy is correct
Is the little things that I find make me crossest, sort of like this
I feel your pain...especially the Mommy one...ethnocentricity at its worst...hope knees sort themselves out...seems like you could be heading to the pool to me
I think Mscaroline has it right; teacher probably thinks, if she thinks about it all, that your kids say mummy because of their accent, but of course spell it mommy, because that's just the way it's spelled. I fought this battle all through my growing up years. I was a thoroughly American kid, but my mother was Scottish, and we called her "Mum". I got corrected on it every time all through elementary school. I mustered up the courage to talk to my sixth grade teacher about it (Sister Madeleine), and never mind my cultural heritage, she told me I was wrong! Period! I think that was the day I became a hippie.
You're totally allowed a whinge.
Have tagged you in my latest post, which might give you something to ponder.
Spotted this on the Beeb this morning
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19670686
How annoying! And a bit naughty, really, I think...
I would write a note back saying: Actually my son spelt that correctly. I am his mummy. When we get US passports, he can change the spelling to mommy. Until then, deal with it. (At least you can take heart that he rates you with milk)
Or "good jaaarb" as they say here. Never accept Mommy, we're still the Mummys. Feel for you not running, it's such a release doing exercise isn't it?
Jenny - it's the one thing I won't compromise on! Somehow, I just don't want to be 'Mom'.
Susanna - I'm not really homesick, but I suppose I am aware that I'm moving back next year, so I want to keep their English customs going....
Muddling Along - Yes, the small things can really irritate, specially if you are feeling bad about other stuff....
NB - Unfortunately, the summer pools have now closed down, so the nearest one is half an hour's drive away - otherwise I would be there. And thanks for the link - most interesting!
Lynn - that's interesting. Yes, I'm starting to think you and Ms Caroline are right...
Iota - thanks for the tag! Will definitely ponder.
HOM - Ha! Yes, I was pleased about the face that I ranked as highly as milk. And he keeps writing me notes that say "I love Mummy", so at least he has taken no notice of the teacher.
ALW - I am really missing being able to exercise - I hadn't realised how much balance it brought to my life. Will really make me appreciate it, if and when I go back to it.
I'm with Home Office Mum, I would have written a note back.
My daughter got corrected once on her use of knife and fork when she was in Year 1. She had them in the wrong hands and the teacher said 'you need to switch hands' and being the stubborn missy that she can be, my daughter said 'this is the American way, my mom (yes, she says mom) is American.' And the teacher told her 'you're not in America now.' I didn't feel I could justifyably complain though, as technically my daughter was incorrect in the first place. Just for the record I did not teach her to use her knife and fork incorrectly!
I feel your pain - towards the end of pregnancy I got increasingly irritated thanks to lack of exercise. It's just something some people need more than others. And as for Mr Romney... How could you not cry?
First, I'm sorry to hear about the injury. It would put me in a stroppy mood as well. Second, if it's any consolation, they correct my daughter when she writes Mommy into Mummy! Second, I'm very happy that we're here for the Presidential election - the ads alone are enough to put someone off politics for life. HOpe you are better by the time the elections roll round so you can run away from it all!
That's dreadful, it's not a spelling mistake! A letter to the head I think.
Michelloui & Jay - having talked it over with some American friends, we came to the conclusion she just wasn't thinking when she marked the papers. I don't want to be 'that mom' that complains in the first month of the school year, so I'll let it lie. However, when I go in to read to the class, I'll make sure I take a book that includes the word "Mummy" and pronounce it very deliberately.
Met Mum - I know. The annoying thing is that 5 years ago it would not have bothered me so much, but now I really appreciate being fit....have you had that baby yet?
Cross the Pond - I'm actually looking forward to observing the election first hand, but just hoping it doesn't go the wrong way...
Its the sentiment that counts! Mine write mommy, they are totally American, being born here, though I am very British still.
Hope your legs get better soon, that sucks, I go crazy when I can't run.
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