This is a surrogate–a person appointed to act for another, a substitute.
This is what I am:
A parent–a person who brings up or cares for another (in my case, 4 others).
A mother–nurturer, caregiver, cheerleader, advocate, teacher, nosewiper, lunchmaker, clotheswasher, songsinger, bookreader, playmate, captive audience member, storyteller, memorymaker and memorykeeper, one held responsible for a child’s wellbeing.
Yes, I wasn’t her original parent. But, I’m certainly not a substitute mother just as she is not my substitute daughter.
We’re the real thing.
Hello there, this is my daughter.
So nice to meet you.
I’m her mother.
