Is it ok for me to refer to my foster parents as "mom and dad" even though i call them by their first names?

Question

I'm with them long term, so i'm not going anywhere soon. and since its a step-family, plus adopted/foster kids, they get called Mark/Lori, Mom/Dad, Lori/Dad, Mom/Mark, Mr. Mark/Mrs. Lori, Mr. Cooper/Mrs. Cooper. but when i refer to them, like on here, or 2 my friends, I always catch myself saying "my mom, my dad, my parents", even though i call them Mark and Mrs. Lori.

is it ok that i do this? it's becoming habit......

Answer 1

Of course its ok to refer to them as your parents...you wouldnt refer to your birth parents as your birth parents, you omit the birth bit, youre just omitting the foster bit.

And as for it becoming a habit that just says to me that youre comfortable with them...no problem there

Answer 2

I see no problem with it. There is a family we know who has 4 foster kids and I have heard at least one of the foster kids refer to the mom as "mama Lisa" as a way of making the distinction between birth and foster mothers.

plus there is also the whole thing that if you let on that they are your foster parents there may be questions about WHY you are in foster care...the whole free world does not need to know that you are in foster care. as long as you are comfortable referring to them as your parents, and they are OK with it, then it is fine.

Answer 3

Yes my boys call us by our first name but they call us mom and dad to all their teachers, and friends and when they answer the phone and stuff like that...

Answer 4

the reason you are doing that is probably because they are a mother and father figure that you have not had. There is nothing wrong with it... If you feel comfortable saying that then go right ahead. It might make them feel like they are doing the right thing by hearing that as well.

Answer 5

I see nothing wrong with it - you feel like you belong there and you're comfortable with them as your parental figures - I think it's fine - and I'm sure they wouldn't mind either.

Answer 6

Since you seem unsure of how to refer to them sometimes, ask them what they would prefer or if it's ok to call them mom and dad. Since it's a foster situation if there is no foreseen adoption at this point for you in this, then they may not feel they would correct you but don't want to get either their or your hopes up in this term of closeness shown if they notice it.

I would just say you'd like to know if it bothers them or if it's ok to call them mom and dad when you introduce them ,etc.

Answer 7

its fine.

parents are parents.

whether they're step or birth or foster.

right ..?

because i dont know anything about this topic.

haha.

sorry.

^^

id do whatever you feel comfortable with as long as theyre comfortable with it too. :]

Answer 8

you should refer to them as your parents...they love you and are officially called your mom and dad...your parents.