Grandma
As you might have guessed, names are very important in my family, perhaps especially to my mom.
So it will come as no surprise to you that she has put a lot of effort into figuring out what she wants her grandchildren to call her.
This may seem odd – don’t you just go by “Grandma”? Not in my family. In my family, my mom’s parents are “Grandma” and “Grandpa.” My dad’s parents are “Grannie” and “Grandad.”
This has always seemed like a far superior system to me because it is SO easy to always know exactly who you’re talking about. No “which Grandpa” inquiries necessary. This will probably be even more useful for our future children since Bart’s parents are both remarried, resulting in FOUR grandparents on that side, not to mention the fact that Bart still has five of his own living grandparents (all of whom, of course, go by “Grandma” and “Grandpa.”)
For years, my mom has tossed out suggestions about what she might go by when she’s a grandmother. With the birth of Merrick‘s baby (the first grandchild in my family) just days away, I’m guessing my mom has something in mind, although I don’t know yet what it is.
Are we weird? (Probably so. No need to answer that question).
we call Ryan's mom MIMZY and his dad Paps- Ryan's grandparents are Nana and Papa- I've also heard Oma (Norwegian) and Gammy- can't wait to hear what the names are!
I have found that the grandparents' names just sort of evolve. My Jake calls my mom "supie du" (they both love it), for example. "Granny sue" is her other name, but only by my kids. I think the evolving nature of the name is part of its magic. And: I now wish my last name was Smith so I could be called Apple as a grandma. I'm always jealous of Britt! 😉
Yeah, I'm in favor of unique titles. We had Nanny/Poppa, Momo/Mac, and Grandma/Grandpa. My mum has decided to be Nana; I don't think anything is established for my dad or my mom.
You know, my mom had this conversation with me minutes after my first child was born, I had never even thought about it. Our son calls his grandpa papa and he did that all on his own. He's the only one who calls him papa so it's quite unique in our family.
In my family we have Nana, Ma, Grammy and PaPa, Gramma and Grampa,
Nonnie and Grandpa Tom. Makes it easier for the kids, harder to find cards though!
I love this! We used Grandma and Grandpa for everything and it was confusing for sure. Our kids will have that problem solved: Grandma and Grandpa for my parents and Oma and Opa for Torsten's parents. Done!
My paternal grandparents are Bub and Famp. Bub is shortened from Bubby, which was how the oldest grandkids tried to say "Granny".
Famp is short for Fampa, which was how those same grandkids said "Grandpa."
I've always loved those nicknames.
xox
That's not weird at all. I call my dad's parents grandma and grandpa, but then the Dutch versions: oma and opa, and my dad's mom something similar yet different: she's omi. Otherwise it just gets too confusing. My parents are divorced, and if they get remarried and I have kids someday, you can bet we'll be thinking about different names for everyone!
PS When I saw Merrick's post about her nursery today, I was pretty sure there would be a baby in the crib in the last photo. Unfortunately not. But that hospital bag looks like she's ready to go!
Wow-loved reading all the answers. When I had my son 14 years ago my mom debated this back and forth to infinity-she did not want to be called Grandma-her mother was grandma and she was not ready for it. Imagine if I had been a mom in my twenties-I had my first child at thirty!! My husband's parents lived in Malaysia for a few years so they go by Nano and Dato (malay for G and G) Good Luck Janssen's mom as you did a wonderful job of naming your children!!
My mom goes by Grammy to her grandchildren. I have a Grandma and a Nana.
PS: I went on and on about what everyone was called except what our grandchildren call my husband and me! We are just Grandma and Grandpa – sometimes with our first names attached.
You are not weird at all! My husband and I don't have kids yet (and we aren't expecting), and both sets of our parents already know what names they want to be called as grandparents. (They even consulted amongst each other so they won't be called the same thing! 🙂
Both of my parents' parents divorced and remarried before I was born. I was 12 before I figured out that everyone doesn't have four grandmas and four grandpas. I have:
Nana, Omi Carol, Grandma Susan, and Granny Cox
Grandpa Wayne, Papa, PJ. and Grandpa Cox (he died when I was little so there was no "which grandpa" confusion…probably not WHY he died though.)
Seth's parents are Mema and Pa. So that's already taken care of.
jj
jj
Coming over from "Housewife's" blog:
We call my Dad Pappy – it emergered from my brother saying he wasn't a "crappy" Pappy years ago- crude, I know, but it stuck.
We call my Mom Grammy – but she also answers to Grahm Cracker.
My in-laws are just Grandma/pa
My grandparents are Nana and Papa, and Grandma and Grandps (last name), my great-grandparents were Mimi and Grand Dad, another great-grandmother was simply Grandma.
Seeing as my last name is Smith, I am very excited to be called "Apple" later on in life…wonder what my husband will be called.
Jenny Smith
I'm Grammy, and it works well.
Trey's parents are Grandpa Willie and Grandma Mary when we talk about them (Grandma Mary is coming to your soccer game) but when the kids talk to them they say "Hi Grandma!"
A lot of discussion went into what to call my parents and my Mom picked "Grammy" and we call my Dad "Gramps". Whatever you pick, I think it's great having something to differentiate between them so that the kids know who is on the phone. It's been interesting to have Trey say, Gramps is on the phone when it's his Dad and have the kids really confused on who they are talking to at first 🙂
Good luck!!
I know of another grandma whose name begins with a C and she goes by Grandma CiCi or just CiCi. Something like CeCe might work for your mom, too? It seems a little more young and fresh I think!
Jim's mom is Nana and the grandkids called his dad Gramps when he was alive (and that is what our kids call him when they talk about him even though they never knew him). My parents are Grandma and Grandpa. So, in theory, this usually works to differentiate. However, since we only see the grandparents a few times a year, now that Joey can talk, he always mixes up Nana and Grandma. Lately, he just calls them both Nana. So, no matter what name your mom picks for herself, your baby and your nieces and nephews may end up calling her something totally different!
My cousin couldn't say "Gramma" and it came out "Gigi" so she's known as Gigi or Gig (pronounced like geege).
My favorite is my what my friend's children call her mom, "Grandy". I love it!
Mine = Nana & Pop
His = Gamma/Grandma & Grand-dad