DEAR ABBY: When my daughter calls her mother-in-law "Mom," it hurts my feelings. I gave birth to her, worked hard to put a roof over her head and food in her mouth. She has only one mother during her lifetime -- me. I never called my mother-in-law "Mom." The name meant something to me, and it was reserved for the woman who gave me life! -- DISAPPOINTED IN IDAHO
DEAR DISAPPOINTED: Many women besides your daughter call their mothers-in-law "Mom." Rather than be jealous and territorial, you should be happy that your daughter has such a warm relationship with her mother-in-law.
However, because you feel slighted, ask if she would be willing to call her MIL "Mama Smith" -- something other than her name for you when you are all together in order to avoid "confusion."