topic Re: Grandma and Grandpa in Among Friends

Grandma and Grandpa

Newgate — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:18:00 GMT

We have 8 grandchildren and the older ones have always called us grandma and grandpa which we love and embrace.

The other grandparents of our two youngest prefer being called by their first names. So those two kids now call us by our first names which we hate! We have expressed our feelings but they do spend a lot more time with the other side because of distance and they cannot seem to break the habit with the first names.

It sends a chill down me when they do it!

Have any thoughts on that?

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

ValuSkr — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:22:42 GMT

I don't have grandchildren but it seems like once you've told them or their parents what you prefer to be called, it should be end-of-story.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

NicksmomESQ — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:33:09 GMT

I don't have any grandkids yet, but hoping to soon. DH & I can't wait to be called Grandma & Grandpa. We would be hurt if we were called anything else.

Your family should respect your wishes & call you what you want to be called.It's a right you've earned for years of doing right by your children.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

SamBrown — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:35:56 GMT

I can't imagine why any grandparent would want to be called by their first names.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

tessam — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:39:24 GMT

Awe That's a tough one.

I'm not sure how old the younger ones are but what if, the next time they refer to you by your first name, you give them a squeeze and say something like, "Silly girl. You know I waited a long time to be your grandma and I am so happy you are my granddaughter. How about you call me Grandma Joan (fill in your name lol) so the world will know you are my special person? Deal? Seal it with a pinkie swear and share the name change with her folks in her presence. Good luck!!

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Desertdi — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:43:58 GMT

@Newgate 1. I am speechless

2. The "other" grandparents are very strange people. Maybe they don't want to feel "old enough" to have grandchildren (???)

Me....I would have NEVER even thought of calling my beloved grandparents by their first names....not EVER!!!! di

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

D Kay — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:51:56 GMT

If I was lucky enough to have grandchildren, I really wouldn't be bothered by that.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Carmie — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:53:12 GMT

I have three grandchildren, my husband is Pop Pop and I am Grandma or Grammy...changes depending on what they want.

I wouldn't want to be called by my first name.

My daughter called my husband's father Pop Pop whiskey and my father Pop Pop beer. Now, that turned heads. Yeah, it's a long story.

I would correct the grands every time they used my first names to use Grandma Beth and Grandpa Joe or whatever your name is every time.

Sooner or later they are bound to catch on.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

RedTop — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:57:36 GMT

I too would suggest the grandchildren at least put Mimi and Papa (or whatever you like) before the first names. Just be honest with the grands about how much you love being their grandparents and how meaningful that name is to you.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Mersha — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:57:43 GMT

@Newgate We have four grandchildren and they all refer to my husband and I with the same names.

Their other sets of grandparents are called something different.

Just keep pointing out to them what you want to be referred to and they should do so relatively quickly.

Don't give up.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Imaoldhippie — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 19:00:34 GMT

@Newgate ..............That is about as strange as my son-in-law and his first wife. She insisted that their 2 kids call them by their first names, not Mom & Dad.

I would be upset too but I think its something you will have to overlook for the sake of the grandkids.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Love my grandkids — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 19:04:06 GMT

@Newgate I think it's weird that those people want to be called by their first names.

EACH and EVERY time one of your grands calls you by your first name, CORRECT them and tell them what you want to be called and that if the others want to be called by their first names, that's fine, but they need to respect your wishes. And keep doing it. And shame on the parents for letting the kids get away with this.

I can't imagine my grandkids calling me by my first name. I think they'd die laughing if anyone suggest it.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Shelbelle — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 19:04:34 GMT

We are Grammie and Poppy and that is how it will stay !!!

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

spumoni99 — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 19:07:24 GMT

We see our grandkids pretty much every day, the other set of grandparents go buy other versions of grandpa and grandma and we are the traditional grandma and grandpa, I can't imagine being called by my first name, my grown daughters still call me mommy lol. Its funny if we are shopping and my daughter needs to get my attention she will call me by my name but that is the only time, my daughters also call each other sissy.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Jo1313 — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 19:08:31 GMT

Our grandkids are little..

They are lucky to have 2 sents of grandparents..

So I'm grandma Jo..

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

DrakesMomma — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 19:24:07 GMT

I don't have grandchildren. Both my parents were gone by the time my son was born. When my son was younger he called his dad's mom Gramma. Now, he just calls her by her first name. He's 22. He has lost respect for her. He's an adult.

We always called my Daddy's parents Momma Cora and Poppa Arlow. We called my mom's mom Granny.

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Marp — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 19:25:49 GMT

@Newgate, how old/young are the offending grands?

How often do you spend time with them compared to the other set of grandparents? When they visit how long do they stay--hours, days, a week or more?

When you are with them what exactly are your interactions like? Are y'all playful, do the kids stay by your side throughout the visit or do the kids tend go off to the TV or their device after a short period of time?

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Newgate — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:20:51 GMT

@Marp They are pre-teens. We see them a few times during the year and it is always warm and cuddly. I don't want to rock the boat too much so I hold back. I love them too much to make it too much of an issue. When we send them bday cards and gifts we always sign grandma and grandpa!

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

beckyb1012 — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:25:23 GMT

Oh I would absolutely hate that. I love hearing "Mama Jo."

Re: Grandma and Grandpa

Citrine1 — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:38:10 GMT

I agree with the posters who say you should correct them when they call you by your first name. If that doesn't work start calling THEM grandma and grandpop. Tell them since they don't call you that, you'll call them that.