"Can I call you Mummy?" Weighing political correctness against psychological need in foster care

A common phenomenon observed in children residing in foster care is their tendency to call their foster carers “Mum” or “Mummy”. Concerns are often raised about the appropriateness of this, with some workers and decision-makers in child protection strongly advocating against it. Foster carers are also often unsure how to handle the situation when it occurs. On the one hand, foster carers may feel compelled to take the advice of caseworkers to not allow this practice, yet on the other hand, feel they are rejecting a child, and a vital part of the developing relationship, if they do not allow themselves to be called “Mum”.