Mummy in a Strange Land
I was born and raised in Australia and moved to the United States four years ago after marrying an American. For the first three years the transition was smooth – no major cultural differences or language barriers. That is, until I had a baby 11 months ago.
There is nothing to make you feel more like a foreigner than trying to wade through parenting language in another country. Suddenly the phrases and product names you have been using, literally since birth, are no longer understood by the people you now spend your days with – other mothers. And if you travel to your home country, expect to have to relearn them all over again!
Here are some examples of Australian vs American phrases that we foreign mothers have to learn and re-learn.
Dummy vs Pacifier
Cot vs Crib
Pusher vs Stroller
Nappy vs Diaper
and the big one – Mummy vs mommy.
For the most part I have given in and conformed to the US way of saying things but I will not compromise on the last one. I am, and will always be, MUMMY. 