The beauty of motherhood
I just finished reading your article about calling a woman who recently delivered a baby, “Mom.” I appreciate that this is a common scenario for some pediatricians, although I have not had any issue with this and find it very disturbing. As a pediatrician, a wife, an active member of my community, and also a mom, I am happy being called any of those titles. I feel that our society has taken away the beauty of motherhood in so many ways – from politicians assuming that all women voters care about is reproductive rights, to now insulting someone by referring to her as “mom” right after she delivered a baby! She can be insulted all she wants, but the fact is, she is now a mom. And always will be! Very few women are “just” moms, but rather have other interests and skills beyond motherhood. But to assume that by us calling a new mother “Mom,” we are insulting them, is really an insult to motherhood everywhere. I will not change my practice of how I interact with families, but rather will celebrate with these new families and call them by their rightful new “names” – Mom and Dad.
Thank you for the article.
Kathryn M. Cambi, M.D.
Hamden, Conn.
Dr. Wilkoff responds: I received an e-mail from another mother/pediatrician (see above), who after the birth of her first child had a similar experience to the one I related in the column. Although she was troubled, it was not to the degree as the woman I referred to. She said that when she introduces herself, she asks the new mother how she would like to be addressed. I guess that is a reasonable approach, but I agree with you, it is sad that she feels that tip-toeing around the label of motherhood is necessary. I’m glad you are proud to wear the label of “Mom.”