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  • Hillicent
    Hillicent
    Posted on:
    21st Nov 2011 08:00pm

    Last Post 17th Mar 2012
    Replies     20
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    Discussion: Who names a grandparent?

    News of the grandchild's birth was barely out before people started asking what I wanted to be called. I thought the first grandchild named the grandparents, but my friends don't agree. They think I need to choose. Must say I'm in no hurry to be known by a different name.

    What do you think? Who decided on grandparents' names in your family?
    And what are you called?

    Reply

  • sarahchaalan
    sarahchaalan
    Posted on:
    23rd Nov 2011 03:11pm

    sarahchaalan says: definatly do not agree .... you name it whatever you wnat .... then again it all depends on your culture and tradition... nowerdays .... people just follow whatever they want yto follolw ...

    for goodness sake i was named frim a nurse :)

    Reply to sarahchaalan

  • Hillicent
    Hillicent
    Posted on:
    23rd Nov 2011 03:16pm

    sarahchaalan says: definatly do not agree .... you name it whatever you wnat .... then again it all depends on your culture and tradition... nowerdays .... people just follow whatever they want yto follolw...

    Hillicent says: and what do your grandchildren call you? (i assume you have some...)

    Reply to Hillicent

  • sherri
    sherri
    Posted on:
    30th Nov 2011 11:47am

    sherri says: If we waited till the child was able to speak, then that is a long time of being referred to as 'Ummm'.

    No, the baby's parents will be talking to him/her about you long before he/she is able to respond. ...so you do get some sort of a say - but in these days when there could possibly be several sets of granparents and step grand-parents it is almost a case of 'take a number'!

    In my own case, my daughter (the new auntie) suggested 'Ma' - so 'Ma' I became, because certainly 'grannie' and it's ilk held no appeal for me

    . ...but it might well be that your name undergoes yet another change when 'junior' begins to talk - as was the case for a friend of mine who became 'RaRa' because her grandson could not manage grandma - so you might yet get your wish!

    Reply to sherri

  • louisa
    louisa
    Posted on:
    21st Dec 2011 10:28pm

    louisa says: I had this issue in my family. It caused no end of trouble. I think they should show you the respect you deserve, and ask you what you would like to be called. You have to wear the name, so you need to feel comfortable with it. Sort this problem out sooner than later and good luck.

    Reply to louisa

  • karenalien
    karenalien
    Posted on:
    22nd Dec 2011 04:06pm

    louisa says: I had this issue in my family. It caused no end of trouble. I think they should show you the respect you deserve, and ask you what you would like to be called. You have to wear the name, so you...

    karenalien says: No wonder you had trouble. Sounds like you resent the in-laws. As long as the grandchildren can happily know which grandparent you are is the main point and it's about love for me, not respect. I'm a first time grandmother and my title was just sprung on me and it wasn't the one I was thinkig of so why kick up a stink? Two nanas and two different titles is easier for everyone.

    Reply to karenalien

  • CAT17
    CAT17
    Posted on:
    22nd Dec 2011 12:39am

    CAT17 says: I am Nonna to my little grandsons (my two daughters love it) I chose Nonna to honour my father (an Italian) who passed away long before my children were born. I just know he would be pleased that I have chosen Nonna and he would have loved his grand daughters and their little boys. My husband chose Gramps as his name for the grandies. My girls love that too. Being a grandparent is just wonderful.

    Reply to CAT17

  • SteveI
    SteveI
    Posted on:
    22nd Dec 2011 07:02am

    SteveI says: It's up to you - my parents and in-laws let my kids know from very early on what they wanted to be called and there was never an issue.

    Reply to SteveI

  • yecats
    yecats
    Posted on:
    22nd Dec 2011 08:36am

    yecats says: We've just had our first child and we asked the grandparents what they wanted to be known as once he was born. This way as he grows and learns he will associate their "name" with the face/person. When we talk to him, we talk about my parents and my husbands parents, and when they come over, we ask him if he wants to go to Grandad or Nana or does he have smiles for Grandma etc, just like we refer to ourselves as Mummy and Daddy.

    Reply to yecats

  • laurie
    laurie
    Posted on:
    22nd Dec 2011 09:43am

    laurie says: I was working in a shop and there was an older lady looking at the goods. A little boy of about seven appeared at the door, leant against the doorjam, crossed one leg over the other and said 'Watcha doin' Granny?' and from that moment on I knew I would be Grandma when the time came. I now have fourteen grandchildren and am happy to be Granma to them all!
    So 'I' chose what I wanted to be called.

    Reply to laurie

  • smiley
    smiley
    Posted on:
    22nd Dec 2011 05:56pm

    smiley says: my grandmother on maternal side was always Grandma my mother was known by grand chirlren as Grandma I accept Ma from my grand children and Great Ma from my great grand children, another side for some of my grand children refer/call their father's mother as Nana and father's father as Grandpa their choosing.
    So I really think its your choose, whatever you feel comfortable with. Best of luck

    Reply to smiley

  • mazzab
    mazzab
    Posted on:
    22nd Dec 2011 09:36pm

    mazzab says: My daughter-in-law asked me what I would like to be called. I chose "nanny" as that is what my children used to call my mother when she was alive. I was very pleased that I was asked as to me, it gave me a chance to keep the memory of my mum alaive within the family. The last thing I wanted to be called was "grandmother" or "grandma" simply because these names did not bring happy memories.
    Talk to your son / daughter and if a particular "name" has happy memories for you, ask that you be addressed by that name and give the reasons why. The baby will grow up knowing, when they hear that name, that it means you.

    Reply to mazzab

  • June
    June
    Posted on:
    22nd Dec 2011 10:18pm

    June says: Hello Hillicent, When my first grandchild was born, he also had his father's mother and my mother, his GGrandmother. Both of them were called Nanna, so my daughter asked me what I would like to be called. I chose Grandy because I had read it in a book once. They were happy with that and I am now Grandy to three grandchildren, all of whom I love dearly and I think they feel the same way about me. I might add several of their friends also call me Grandy when they see me. Choose something you like and feel comfortable with and I am sure your Grandchild will love you anyway.

    Reply to June

  • tleekn
    tleekn
    Posted on:
    23rd Dec 2011 09:22am

    tleekn says: Hi,
    When my first grandson was born I was to be nannan,but as he learnt to speak he started to call me nanny and his other nona.i now have three grandchildren and they all call me nanny.

    Reply to tleekn

  • goanna
    goanna
    Posted on:
    3rd Jan 2012 10:56pm

    goanna says: My daughter asked what would I like my grandchildren calling me and I said 'Nanna' because 'Grandmother' is far too old fashioned and that's something I would hate being called. I'm young at heart and not a fuddy-duddy.

    Reply to goanna

  • Chrissy
    Chrissy
    Posted on:
    11th Feb 2012 10:38am

    goanna says: My daughter asked what would I like my grandchildren calling me and I said 'Nanna' because 'Grandmother' is far too old fashioned and that's something I would hate being called. I'm young at heart...

    Chrissy says: I agree with you. I'm also a Nana because as far as I'm concerned I'm to young to be a Granny even if I am 57 :)

    Reply to Chrissy

  • goanna
    goanna
    Posted on:
    12th Feb 2012 02:03pm

    goanna says: The grandparent has the right to tell her daughter/son what she would like to be called, whether that be Nanna, Nanny, Nan, Grandma or Ma. In my opinion the grandchild should never call the grandparents by their first name out of respect for them. My daughter asked me what I preferred and I said Nanna which is nice. I'm young at heart and the name 'Grandma' sounds far too old. I hope that gives you enough information.

    Reply to goanna

  • goanna
    goanna
    Posted on:
    12th Feb 2012 02:05pm

    goanna says: Also I wish to point out that the child's parents are the only ones who have the right to choose their children's names. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Its not their child and they have no rights naming him or her.

    Reply to goanna

  • wrighty
    wrighty
    Posted on:
    17th Feb 2012 08:47pm

    wrighty says: MY PARENTS HAVE PASSED AND I ASKED THE INLAWS WHAT THEY WISH TO BE CALLED SO WE WENT WITH GRANNY AND GRANDPA.

    Reply to wrighty

  • washann
    washann
    Posted on:
    18th Feb 2012 12:34am

    washann says: I told my daughter what I wanted to be called. There was already a Nana, Granny, Nanny and i liked Grandma. It sounded distinguished and was to be my title (even at 38)

    Reply to washann

  • Patsy
    Patsy
    Posted on:
    17th Mar 2012 11:44am

    Patsy says: In our family we are Grandma & Grandad or sometimes grandpop. or the older ones call us my our christian name we dont mind. Pasty

    Reply to Patsy

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