[his,mine&ours]

I saw one thread that the parent had been chastised a bit for introducing herself as mama to her referral.

So, how did you introduce yourself - and how old was your referral?

Just curious, as I am putting together a book of phrases for our time with our referral.

[Vicki H]

Our son was only 6 months when we first met him, we did not refer to ourselves as mama/papa, but one of the caretakers in the orphanage kept referring to us as mama and papa to Alex.

[waitinginnj]

The orphanage staff introduced me as MaMa too. It took a couple of months to switch to Mommy. That was an exiting day to me. I felt it differentiated me from the orphange workers, who have all of the children call them MaMa.

[beckyww]

The orphanage caregivers introduced us as Mama and Papa when we met Guanna-to-be-Julia, age 6.

Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX

[Beaglepup]

Our translator told DD we were Mama/Papa constantly. I did leave a photo book with DD in between trips and I had labeled our pictures with Mama/papa in Russian. DD was about 17 months old at first trip.

I think the orphanage staff may have referred to us as mama/papa as well.

[votemom]

our referrals were 4 & 5. i specifically asked the staff NOT to refer to me as "mama" and not to talk about adoption in any way.

[RBSVARCHER]

On the second trip, after holding DS with his back to my chest (the only way he would let me hold him) each visit I would whisper in his ear "I am your Mommy" doing hand jesters from his chest to mine. After about a thousand times, he finally understood, turned around and looked deep into my eyes and smiled.

I would not have done that on the first trip - anything could have happened between visits 1 and 2. Yes, I do believe the workers did tell DS on both trips we were his parents.

DS was 2 1/2 and had been removed from his home for one year.

[kretzklan]

All four of my referals were introduced to us as Mama and Papa. It wasn't something we asked them to do...it was just what every translator did.

[nungesser]

We also brought one of those Sassy photo books with photos of DW and me in it labeled Mama [Мама] and Papa [Папа] in Russian.

Our consultants and the orphange staff referred to us as Mama and Papa. I don't know whether AB understood at the time.

I think it makes a difference depending on whether the child is old enough to undertand the significance of the appelation and the disappointment that can come if it does not become official.

[tbristow]

Hunter was 10 months at the first trip and the caretakers were referring to us as Mama and Papa even when they were telling him to wave goodbye the last visit of that trip...gulp.

[his,mine&ours]

Thanks all. I've got the picture book made to leave, labeled with mama, papa, braht, sestra, etc...but I wasn't sure how to refer to ourselves while we are with him. Sounds like the director will set the tone. Now, if we could just have a travel date!!!

[SingleMama2B]

My situation was different. I Summer Hosted my DD, as she was 7+ years old. We where specifically told, NOT to mention Adoption or being MaMa (as I am a single mom). At the Airport, I introduced myself (in very bad Russian), "Hello Anna, My name is Alli." The Facilitator and Russian Inspector that came with the children, made sure she understood what I said. The next morning at 4 AM, DD wakes me up by playing with my hair bangs, whispering... "MaMa... MaMa...". I opened my eyes, and she was 4 inches from my sleepy face. It was 2 days before she was due to go home, and I met with the translator and Russian Inspector, to talk to them about my plans to adopt DD. I asked permission to ask her if she wanted to become my daughter, and come back to America to live. They agreed, as they had observed us together for 12 days and thought it was a great match. They talked to her about it, and it was an INSTANT YES!!! It didn't take long after she was home forever, that she started calling me Mommy, Mom and with a slight attitude... Mother!!! Gotta love the kids at school and the begining of puberty

I have had friends and acquaintences tell me of their adoptions of younger children, and that the orphanage workers would call the AParents, MaMa/Papa too. I think it is just standard for them....

Blessings...................

[Chris3148]

Our girls were 20 months and 3.5 years old when we met them. They were told ahead of time that their new Mama and Papa were coming. Everyone at the baby home called us that too. Within 30 minutes of playing with the girls, our oldest DD called me Mama and on day 2 she called Dh Papa! I loved hearing those words. The day after court our little DD called us Mama and Papa.

About a week later they switched to Daddy, a month later they switched to Mommy.

[LouLouBelle]

I believe the orphanage staff referred to us as mama/papa. We did not refer to ourselves as that until trip 2. We were also told that the director of our orphanage does not allow the caretakers to call themselves mama.

[B@M]

Same as everyone else...We were introduced as Momma and Poppa. Even to this day a year later our DD still refers to us most of the time as Momma and Poppa. Every once in a while we call our selves Mommy and Daddy but we still outta respect to her and her culture still call ourselves Momma and Poppa.