I have unexpectedly taken a break during the month of April and somehow missed last month’s DolceVitaBloggers post. Oops. Sorry.

This month, I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss it because as you can see from the title of the post, it’s a fun one! As I browsed some of the posts written by members of the DolceVitaBloggers community, I noticed that a few of them shared some of the same words. Nothing at all wrong with that. I, too was going to share some of those exact words. Then it hit me. No one has shared any “parent vocabulary”. You know what I’m talking about?!? Those words you only start learning and using once you become a parent yourself.

So, in honor of Mother’s Day, let me take that task on and share with y’all a few words and phrases that I added to my vocabulary once I became a Mamma!

Here are 5 Italian words to use when referring to Pregnancy/Delivery:

 

INCINTA

– Perhaps the first word you learn. PREGNANT. “Sono incinta!”  Once you become “with child”, your world will never be the same and you will also forever continue to use the word itself. From announcing your pregnancy to talking to others moms about when you were pregnant.

TRAVAGLIO

– The day you will look forward to or dread. The day you go in LABOR! Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as some make it out to bed.  hahaha… just kidding! It’s the biggest menstrual cramp you’ve ever experienced over and over and over again!!

Il mio travaglio con Valentina era lungo, con Elisabetta era molto doloroso, e con Carlotta era velocissima.

 

PUNTI/PUNTINI

– Chances are you will have a big baby or a big headed baby that will cause you to get STITCHES. For your sake, I hope you have a private or semi private room so that when ALL OF THE DOCTORS come check you and line up in front of your bed, you won’t have to worry about showing another mom your burning crotch!

ALLATTARE

– Speaking of showing other people your body parts, you’ll get pretty comfortable NURSING/BREASTFEEDING you new bundle of joy in front of everyone! I’ve recently noticed some new mothers covering up when they nurse, but I found it to be annoying. Luckily, I only did it at home since I also supplemented with formula and mostly used it when out in public.

SVILUPPARE

– Now that you baby is born, your main concern is his/her DEVELOPMENT. From nutrition to education, you’ll be using this word a lot!

Now I could stop there but what’s the fun in that?!? Let’s add some phrases to the mix!

Here are 5 phrases you will no doubt, start using once your child gets into the Toddler phase!

Ma che cavolo

–  This is one of my all time favorite phrases because it allows me to show my frustration without having to use curse words! It’s what I like to call, the grandma equivalent of WTF?! Anyone can use this in any situation. You can use it at home, at the park, at church.. it’s ok! No one will look at you differently because really… why should they when the literal translation is ‘What the cabbage’!

Smettila adesso

– Ugh… This one is for when they start to get into the Toddler years. You will forever tell your kiddos to ‘Stop it now/ Cut it out’. The kids will use this when their sibling or some random kid is bothering them.

 

Sei propio Monello/Monella

– Oh… how I love this one because how else can you tell a kid in a cute loving way that he/she’s a little brat! Ok so brat/rascal/naughty. Carlotta is my youngest and she’s is constantly being called a MONELLA by other parents. She’s a little naughty but in a fun, playful way… and because she’s so cute, she gets away with it.

Fare i capricci

– Unfortunately this one has been used for all 3 girls, more specifically for Valentina. She can throw a tantrum like no one else and in my honest opinion, Italian kids are the WORST when it comes to throwing tantrums. They’re so annoying!!

Non bisticciare

– I have no idea how many times I have heard this one in the last few years. It’s not necessarily fighting but just bickering and getting on each other’s nerves.

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed adding these into your new vocabulary! If you’d like to check out what the other DolceVitaBloggers are up to, click here to see all of the posts! As always, thank you to Jasmine from Questa Dolce Vita, Kristie from Mamma Prada and Kelly from Italian at Heart for another great topic!