What Will the Grandparents be Called?
You have discussed baby names, registered for all the necessary gear and started to design the nursery. As new parents, you have a lot to prepare for in only nine months. Something not on one of your newborn checklists or crossed your mind is what your parents or guardians will be called by your children. It sounds like an easy decision, but if you have more than one parent and they both want to be called by the same name, better to discuss names in advance. Here are some options based around different parent/guardian personalities:
Traditional: Grandma and Grandpa is the easiest option in terms of names. No need to think outside the box. However if you have more than one parent/guardian that wishes to be called by these, Grandmother, Grandfather, Grandmommy and Granddaddy are a few variations that still keep names traditional.
Family Names: Maybe names have been used in your family with other generations. For example, you called your Grandmother Nana so this is what you would like your mother to be called to your child. Or you choose a slight variation of that name. For example, I called my Grandma, Nano so my mom is Nani to my children.
Grandma and Grandpa in Other Languages: If your extended family is from a certain country or maybe there is a place you like to visit on vacation, why not use the word for Grandpa and Grandma in that language. Here are five versions in other languages. (Grandma listed first, then Grandpa) Spanish: Abuela/Abuelo, French: Grand-mere/Grand-pere, Polish: Babcia/Dziadek, Italian: Nonna/Nonno and Swedish: Mormor/Morfar.
Contemporary: If your parents do not see themselves as Grandparents in the traditional sense or they are a creative artist like my father, they may decide on a name completely different than the norm. For example, my dad chose Sumi. Sumi is a variation of my maiden name. It was either let him be Sumi or have the children call him by his first name, Joe. I told him Sumi was fine by me.
Need Name Inspiration: If your parents and you need a little help on choosing names, there is a site that lists several variations to Grandma and Grandpa. Click here to see the list from The New Parents Guide.
Of course when your child learns to talk, they may add their own spin to the name. My daughter couldn't say Grandpa when she was a toddler so Grandpa is now known as Papa to all his grandchildren. I guess being first-born can have its privileges.
Have you heard a unique name for Grandpa or Grandma? Have you decided on one already? Please comment below and let us know what it is.
