Mamaw, Meemaw, Grandma, Nana, what do your

15 years ago

grand children call you? Yea! I am going to be a first time grandmother in August! Not the timing we expected but still we are thrilled. Daughter is taking this semester off at university, and not sure if marriage is in the works, but still all is well.

So do you have a preference for what you are called?

Localy Mamaw and Papaw are the norm, but I didn't grow up here and called my grandparents grandama and grandpa. I just told my daughter that whatever the baby decides to call us is fine.

...so how did your family decide on your name- knickname?

Di

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Comments (31)

pkguy
15 years ago
Well my gramdma on dads side was Nana and my gramdma on my mothers side was Doodoo which I think came about from her name being Dolly
trudy_gw
15 years ago
Our youngest who is now two calls me "Mimi".

The 5 older grandsons (from the same family) used to call me "Grama Ike" they couldnt say our last name correctly.

Grandchildren are the best gift from God :)

V. Wyk
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My grandparents were all born in the 1880s and my last grandmother died when I was 12. She'd been in a nursing home for some time by that point so I was very young when I was visiting their homes. Both of my grandfather's passed before I was born. My maternal grandmother lived in an old duplex on Toledo, Ohio's south side--right near the big Haughton Elevator plant where my grandfather worked. Very industrial and I remember the neighborhood being very gray--dark, charcoal gray. There were railroad tracks that basically ran behind the house. During the depression, the homeless men who were traveling as hitchers on the train would stop and my grandmother would feed them--whatever she had--which wasn't much. Mom said that it was a daily occurrence. And there was a bar called The Showboat just a few doors down. Some time during my young adulthood, it morphed into a drag club. I never went there, but it was VERY important to my grandpa. LOL That grandmother had a small, dank kitchen with a freestanding gas (heating) stove, lino countertops with the banded edge, and (I think) green painted cabinets--and not many. It just felt dirty and old to me--much like that neighborhood. My uncle lived in that duplex apartment for more than 60 years. He had cerebral palsy and lived at home and never married. What I remember most about that house was the smell of his cologne, believe it or not. By the time he moved in the early 80s, the apartment had fallen into horrendous disrepair. My paternal grandmother was a charcter--my last remaining grandparent. Some time between 1915 and 1920, they sold their large farm in Tontogany, Ohio and moved to the "big city" of Bowling Green. Their house was a traditional 2 story, white, with a big front porch and two catalpa trees out front. I spent hours playing with the seed pods--"Indian cigars" as she called them. Her kitchen wasn't big, but it wasn't small. There was a wall of cabinetry that faced the country road to the east with a sink and symmetrical white painted cabinets. Certainly no dishwasher. LOL The floors were a speckled lino--all kinds of colors but basically white and the cabinets had black rubber toekicks. There was a typical 1930s wallpaper, red, blue, yellow with forks and spoons motif on all of the walls above white (?) ceramic tile. I want to say that it was banded in black tile, but...I don't know...maybe... There was a breakfast alcove with a wooden table and 4 chairs--always covered with a vinyl tablecloth. I remember a lot of red and white checks...LOL The stove and refrigerator stood by themselves on 2 walls, and there was a door in the back corner that led out onto a breezeway with a dirt floor that housed the old wringer washer and beadboard cabinets full of home canned goods. I grew up eating her quince jelly and peanut butter sandwiches. We had her jelly YEARS after she passed away. I can STILL taste it. And lebkuchen. Always lebkuchen. And on your birthday, she would sit down at the big upright piano in the living room and belt out the most raucous "Happy Birthday" you ever heard. She'd been a piano player in the silent movie houses and was quite good--sitting there in her flowered shirtwaist and gingham apron with her white-white hair pulled into a tight bun.... My mom always told me that I reminded her of that grandmother.... I like that.
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I don't think you are doing anything wrong. I also don't think that, even taking into account the history and relationships, the other lady is being silly to feel hurt. I don't think too many of us would, in her position, think, "Well, after what's gone down all these years, I don't deserve to be called Grandma, so I'm just fine with this." It has to be painful. She must feel rejected by her daughter. (I don't think it was so smart of her to make a point of saying anything, though.) Whether it's her own fault or not is not the point. She feels what she feels. I don't think you get anywhere by resorting to statements like "It's the mom's choice," either. That's not going to change one thing about how anyone feels, and I also think you are correct that it could all lead to the other lady's trying hard to marginalize you. As for this inspiring her to be a better parent and change her attitude ... seriously? I strongly doubt it. Honestly, I think the smartest thing for you to do here is to tell your stepdaughter that you are very touched and honored, but that as it obviously causes her mom pain and embarrassment, it might be better all around if you are Nana or Meemaw or Granny or Bubbie or something else. We will probably have grandchildren in the next few years, and as Grandma, Bubbie, and Nana are already in use, I predict that we in the next generation will end up Safta (the Israeli), Abuela (the Mexican), and I suppose I'll ask for "Granny" --because it's the only one left I can think of! But I don't think about it much, because, and this applies to you, too, this whole argument may well be a waste. The first grandchild gets to name the grandparents. No matter what anyone decides, you could both end up being "Kiki" and "BingBong," you know. I have one friend who is "Happy." If your stepdaughter insists on it after your saying this, then you have an entirely different problem on your hands. Don't let her use you as a weapon against her mother, for your own sake most of all. Do you have to step back? No. Does her mom have the right to insist? No. Is she being petty to make a thing of it? Yes. Shouldn't the mom get to choose? Sure. But relying on rules or logic rarely solves problems like these. Rather, I would ask yourself what is the best way to maximize everyone's comfort, dignity, and relationships, here, not least the grandchildren to come. What will make you most confident you are behaving like a lady and a grownup? You aren't the one with something to prove. You can afford to be generous. I'm sure you are going to be an excellent grandparent, and if, for whatever reason, you end up as "MooMoo," someday you'll get a crayoned card that says " YOU ARE THE MOST WONDERFUL MOOMOO IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD!! WE LOVE OUR MOOMOO!" Would that really be so bad? :-)
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compumom
15 years ago
Congratulations! My grandson named me Nini which I think was a corruption of Nana (my choice) and my British SIL calling me Nanny! Lately however, he seems to prefer calling me Grandma!
lindac
15 years ago
My children now call me Gramma or when there are 2 grandmas present...Gramma Linda...I was Gramma Deedah to one family, which I loved, until they learned to say Linda.
The other family baby talked me as Gamma.....which Meg still says...occasionally.
I had 4 grandmas until I was 18...2 of them greats and 2 "regular" LOL!
I called one Big Gramma another Gramma Molly, one of the greats was Gramma Kissel ( a shortening of her name) and the other great Gramma DuPell....her name.
Linda C
mustangs81
15 years ago
I thought it would be good to be called what Goldie Hawn is called--Glammy. But whatever the heck they want, as long as they call me!!

With our babies it's grammy and Pa.

Have fun!
annie1992
15 years ago
My grandkids always call me "UmmMa", Makayla called me that since she was small.

I agree that grandchildren are wonderful. They are much better than our own children, LOLL. Who said that grandchildren are God's reward for not killing our own children when they were teenagers?

Annie
jojoco
15 years ago
my kids call my parents Meme (pronounced memay), and pop-pop. My inlaws are grammy and grampa. I called my grandparents meme and pepe (french canadian for memere and pepere.)

Jo
riverrat1
15 years ago
I`vw always said whatever they want ot call me. We only have one grandaughter and she rules the roost around here. She could almost get away with calling us whatever she wants. For awhile I was Bubba, now it's Bubbe and DH in Nonno (NO NO). LOL! The name is really an Italian name for Grandfather but...

My Godson started calling him Nonno when he was a little tike. I guess because he was always telling him "NO, NO do not touch"! It has stuck and that will be his name forever more. I like the name Bubbe, just really didn't like to be called Bubba. LOL!
User
15 years ago
No one was more important to me than my grandma so if and when Matthew has a child I want to be called Grandma.

Ann
Lars
15 years ago
My father's mother's name was Nanny, and so we couldn't call her that. We called her Grandma and the other one Mamaw Lilly. I always thought Nanny was an odd name for a person, since I associated it with goats, but then she was French.

Lars
mitchdesj
15 years ago
My grandson also calls me Mimi, he has a grandma on his mom's side so since my name is MichÃ¨le, Mimi sounded right.
centralcacyclist
15 years ago
I have no grandkids yet. My kids call their grandparents: Nana J and Grandpa J (for Johnson) and Grandma Dede (her choice) and Grandpa Dan. I only had one set of grandparents and they were Mama and Dad (they raised me).

My mother once said that her grandkids should call her "Ma'am" but she got over it.
bryansda
15 years ago
Congrats, grandchildren are so much fun. Ours call us Nannie and Poppy. Nannie seems to be the going name in my family for grandmothers. I called my grandmother Nannie and when my daughter came along she called my mother Nannie and my grandmother My Nannie. When my grands came along they called me Nannie and my mother My Nannie....LOL.
canarybird01
15 years ago
I always called my grandparents grandma and grandpa.

One set of my grandkids calls me Grandma Sharon, or just grandma,

and the other set of grandkids (now in their 20s) calls me Grammashar or Gramma. Their other grandmother is also called by her name, after Grandma...M.

SharonCb
doucanoe
15 years ago
Congratulations on your first grandbaby! Isn't it a grand feeling?

Tim and I were just discussing this last night, wondering what our little girl will call us when she arrives in this world in May.

I always called both sets of Grandparents "Gramma" & "Grampa". I suppose that is what I'll be called too, but one never knows....

I kind of like "Nana", we'll see.

Linda
User
15 years ago
Congratulations, what wonderful news.

I'm Nana to my three year old grandson and will be Nana to his sister, when she learns to talk. My mother was a wonderful Nana to my kids, and my grandmothers were both Nana (and wonderful) to me. It's a name and a tradition I'm proud to be able to carry on.
dees_1
15 years ago
Congratulations, Di!

I have a step grandson. Since there are many "granny" people in his life, he calls a lot of women "granny". One day, I caught him doing something he shouldn't be doing. Since then I'm "mean granny". You should see the faces of people when he says loudyly (in his 7 year old southern accent) "Hey Mean Granny!". It's a badge I proudly wear!
annie1992
15 years ago
LOL, dees, my Mom is "Little Gramma" to all her grandkids, because she's 4'10" and weighs about 100 lbs. People do look when one of the kids says in public "Where's Little Gramma?"

Annie
brenda55
15 years ago
When my daughter was pregnant and "that" guy was still in the picture they made a big deal about what the baby was to call each grandparent. My response was always "I don't care, she can call me 'come here'. Now, keep im mind there could have been alot more on their minds than what the baby should call the grandparents..ahhmm (money, house, medical bills, etc.) Anyway, I finally told my daughter, okay call me Mimi and she had a fit...no way, everyone will think about the secretary to Drew Carey on his show and I said okay, then you decide. "Grammy" it was. When Aleksi got old enough to talk Grammy came out "Mimi" and that is still it today, unles sometimes, playfully it is Mims, or sometimes it is Mom. Uhhh, the other GP's, we call them....well, better not mention that here.

Congratulations, Di.
daylilydayzed
15 years ago
My two grandsons call me Grandma. the oldest one calls his other grandparent Grandma Joan. He lives with me and hubby along with his mother. Next summer I may have a granddaughter, do not yet know the gender. Youngest son's girlfriend is pregnant with her second child. We are hoping for a girl. Mom-to-be and my son will be getting married this March.
eileenlaunonen
15 years ago
My kids called my parents Pop Pop and Ma and call Dh parents Grandma and Grandpa
dedtired
15 years ago
I called my grandparents Grandma and Grandpa. My XH's mother was Grandma.

My mother is called Sarge by not only her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but also by a lot of other people. It fits her to a T.

I don't have grandkids yet (boo hoo) but I think Grammy Pammy or just Gram would work since it rhymes with Pam.

One of my friends is Granny Franny or GranFran. Another goes by Marmie. Her real name is Margie.
User
15 years ago
Congrats on the grand baby, I can only imagine what a thrill it must be.

If the day ever comes I will be Nana. My Mom was Nana to my kids and all her other grandchildren and my Grandmothers were both Nana to us. I just could never imagine another name. I have friends who seem to think that there needs to be a name distinction between maternal and paternal grandparents. Growing up that was never an issue with us. When with them we simply called them Nana. When referring to them we called them Nana O'Grady or Nana Woodcock.

My Great Grandmothers were Gramma Marjoreen on my Mom's side and "Scottie" on my Dad's. To this day I have no idea what "Scottie's" real name was.

Unfortunately there were no Grandads alive on my side so no idea what they would have been called. My husbands parents were Granny and Granddad to all their grandchildren.....nobody is calling me Granny! LOL
cotehele
15 years ago
Congratulations! I am so jealous ;-P

In our family, we use different sets of name for each couple: Opa and Oma (German) Mammaw & Pappaw (W. Virginia), Grandmomma and Granddady, and Grandpa and Grandma.
diinohio
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks all, it's still sinking in but I get more excited everyday. Some of these are so funny, Glammy, Nonno, Sarge, mean granny, bubba, doodoo! Sure is fun to see what they come up with!
I've been doing a lot of window shopping, but unlike Doucanoe I won't be buying any clothes for a while. I want to though!
Di
User
15 years ago
I was talking to my grandson recently and asked him if he was a dinosaur hunter (he likes Go Diego Go, he said "No, I'm Christopher", and I said "well, I'm Barbara" and he said "NO, you are NANA."
trixietx
15 years ago
Mine call us KK and Tommy Dad. Well, the little almost 2 year old says TA TA.
gabriell_gw
15 years ago
Before my first granddaughter was born I decided I wanted to be Grandmother. She eventually learned to say the word correctly. When the second one started talking I would say "say Grandmother" and she would seriously look me in the eye and say "Mush".Everyone in the family thought this was so funny! I encouraged her to say Grandmother and of course she learned to say it as does the third one.I hate to think how terrible it would have been to have had that name stick.
jude31
15 years ago
When my DILwas first pregnant there was a discussion as to what the baby would call me. They kept ruling out the traditional names..no I didn't look like a grandmaw or granny (I was only 43) and her mother was Mammaw, which relieved me greatly. A mutual friend suggested NANA (pronounced Nahna) because it was a natural sound for a baby to make, therefore it would be one of the first words it learned to say...and it was. DH is Papa, his parents were Mammy and Pappy and my mother was Ma. My ggrands call us Nana and Papa as well. I read somewhere just the other day, it could have been on one the forums, that great grandchildren called great grandmother Gigi (the 2 G's prompted that). I thought that was pretty cool. Several of the grands have shortened Nana to Nan and that's okay too. Mimi and Pop-pop seem to be popular nowadays. As long as they call me I don't care that much what it is.
jude
lorijean44
15 years ago
When my grandson was born, he had so many "Grandmas" (my mother, my grandmother (!), my SIL's mother), DD and I wanted him to call me something a little more special. So, we came up with Noni. He's 17 months old and that's what he calls me! I love it. :-D

Lori
goldgirl
15 years ago
Di - congrats on the exciting news :)

Sue

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