Tonight, after turning out Madeleine's lights and giving her the customary bedtime snuggle:
ME: Good night, Madeleine.
MADELEINE: Good night, Mama. (flipping over to face me in her bed) Mama? The REASON why I said "Mama" so WEIRD sounding was because...I was trying to decide whether to say "Mommy" or "Mama."
ME: Oh. (thinking about the fact that she nearly always calls me "Mama," despite my referring to myself as "Mommy.") What do you like so much about saying "Mama?"
MADELEINE: Because..."Mom" is...basically, like, TOTALLY for older kids to say. Like, for TEENAGERS.
ME: But I'm just wondering why you like saying "Mama" more than "Mommy."
MADELEINE: (thoughtful) I think...probably because it's just EASIER. "Mama" is just...you just drop your mouth TWO times. "Ma." "Ma."
ME: Oh, okay. I see. Well, good night, honey.
MADELEINE: Good night, Mommy.
I guess that time she decided to take the more difficult route and go with "Mommy."
I think with Mommy you only have to drop your mouth two times. Hahaha. Maybe it's the Greek in her where Mama is used when you are young, a teenager, and older. Mama mia, who knows!
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