DeBunking the Myth

Ok, here's something that I've been meaning to get off my chest.  I am sick of everyone telling me that 'Daddy' is easier said than 'Mommy.'  I am calling the BS-card on that one.  And the reasons are:

(first of all, let me tell you that I really don't care from a personal standpoint if my LG said Mommy before she said Daddy.  And second of all, I would rather that she said Mommy first, from an emotional standpoint for DW)

(And for the record, Mom, (now Mommm-ah!) is the first name she spit out.)

1) only women tell you that a child will say da-da first.  

2) the women say that it is easier for a kid to say (how does anyone know, any of you remember what was easier to say?)

Among the first words for LG was 'mum-mum' (baby talk for food).

My theory: kids learn words that sound similar.  So after mum-mum comes mom-mom (or mama or just mom).  

story:  As we spent 2 weeks together virtually 24/7 as a new family in China, LG was accustomed to both of us being there for her.  When we got back to States, DW went back to work a few days later, and I was on family leave.  I was with LG pretty solidly for about 3 months, while DW was at work.   LG would look around for DW, and I would say, Mommy is at work now.  We'll go see Mommy during her lunch break.  OK, we're going to Mommy's now.  There's Mommy's office...  Do you see Mommy?  Oh! There's Mommy!!  or Mommy is coming home soon.  (Show pictures), do you see Mommy?  There's mommy!  Mommy holding LG.  Mommy feeding LG.  etc.

so it is more natural that LG would have heard the word/name Mommy more than daddy, since I was taking care of her for more hours of the day.   

And the same goes for a situation where the Mama is with the kids while the dad is at work.  The conversation probably - Daddy's at work now.  Daddy will be home for dinner.  let's call Daddy.  Those are daddy's socks (on the floor).  Daddy's home!  give daddy a kiss!  give daddy a hug!  etc.  so the kids hear daddy more often and practice forming the same sounds, since that's what the mommy has been doing.  

Doesn't hurt my feelings at all, I am warmed when LG calls out for MaMa!  but after a few weeks of  Momm-ah!,  LG has a name for me.  I am simply mom.  We're working it....