Nanny or Grandma

Perhaps your DD, like me, pictures a goat when she hears the word nanny.
Children don't mind what name you use as long as they have your attention.

I was fortunate to be invited to attend the birth of my twin grandchildren. When it was near the birth of the first twin the midwife turned to me and said, "Come on Nanny, say hello to your grandson."
Up until then I wasn't bothered what my grandchildren eventually called me, as long as it was polite. Somehow the title sounded right and it stuck.
Doesn't bother me that some consider it lower class. I come from good peasant stock and I'm proud of it. ?

Lucca

Agree. Just say sorry for the nanny idea What would you like? But nicely not huffily !

I’m finally getting used to knowing how these threads work and realised I can quote people comments.

When she ruled out ‘Nanny’ I asked what would she like me to be known as, she just said ‘I don’t know but not that’

I agree it should be up to you CrochetJo. You should get a lovely warm and fuzzy feeling when you hear the little one call for you in whatever name you choose. Whether it’s Nanny,Granny or Nan your granddaughter will love you just the same.

I always wanted to be a plain and simple Grandma as my own grandma (who lived to be 99) was the most truly wonderful and loving person. If I could be half the grandma to my grandchildren that she was to me then I would be happy .

Please dont worry, it will sort itself out. Congratulations on your lovely Grandaughter.

I honestly feel that it should be personal choice, when I had my children I asked the living Grandparents what they’d like to be known as and I respected their wishes.
Thanks for all the good advice on my first post, except the one that wrongly quoted ‘underlying issues’

I agree that your name will evolve. I prefer Nan or Nanny as it sounds younger than Grandma or Granny. But what your daughter cannot stop is you later calling yourself Nanny to the little one as they are growing up. Then the child will come to know that Nanny & whatever your daughter decides to call you are the same person. My mum was a Nanny & the generation above her they were called Nanny and where they lived.

Agree. Just say sorry for the nanny idea What would you like? But nicely not huffily !

CrochetJo congratulations. You are so lucky to have your little granddaughter living with you. Don’t let this minor issue overshadow this precious time.
I would suggest you say casually to your daughter as Mil is Grandma and that title suits her what name do think I should use? See if she has a preference or even suggest a couple of options. No point mentioning nanny as that’s already rules out.

Gillybob you have made this Nanny feel very happy, thank you for this advice

GagaJo I love he calls you Gaga, it’s very cute. I wouldn’t care if my Granddaughter calls me strange alien creature, but until she can talk I like to be known as her Nanny, but sadly I can’t

Yes, nursemaid is an outdated word. I used it because I couldn’t think,of a word to describe the role of a nanny. She’s someone employed and paid to take care of the children’s practical needs, I suppose. I’m sure most people have come across this, in books if not in life. That’s why I find nanny to mean grandmother a strange usage. I didn’t hear it until I was grown up, and I’m not upper class, I assure you.

No sorry, Lucca other posts popped up before I posted mine.
I was referring to the posts of Jaxjacky & Grandma70.

Maggiemaybe ré my comment, I was merely quoting my Mum, I became a Grandma through my daughters choice.

CrochetJo

I think the point I’m trying to make, but feel like I’m coming across as awkward, is that everyone has a right to be called what they’d like so why can’t I? I don’t care what my Granddaughter will end up calling me, but for now I’d like to be known as Nanny, but it was the way my Daughter flatly refused it but didn’t come up with another suggestion.
My Granddaughter’s can be shortened 2 different ways, so I asked my Daughter if she would like her to be called either of the 2 names or keep with the long original name (because my Daughter hates when people shorten her own name), she said long original name. This something I will stick to because it’s her choice.

I wanted to be called Granny. My GS calls me Gaga. I don't care, because he's my beloved grandchild and whatever he calls me is music to my ears.

Let it go. Shes his mum. Go along with what she wants. These first days after the baby should be lovely. Focus on the baby.

We are Grandma and Grandad to our 4 grandchildren .

My DiL’s mum and dad are Nana and Granda to my sons 3 and my little Evie Buttons only has us .

We were to be called Grandma and Grandpa but our first child decreed otherwise and we are Ma and Pa.

Do dont worry about it.

I think it would be quite easy for you to choose for yourself CrothetJo (welcome to GN and congratulations on becomin* a grandma too)

What I would do in your position is to choose what name you would like to be known as and introduce it yourself.

For example .....if you pick the little one up for a cuddle say “come and give grandma/nanny/nana/nan a cuddle sweetie” or “come and let grandma change your nappy” or “grandma thinks your are a gorgeous baby” etc..... then you will start to feel comfortable with the name and your little granddaughter will become familiar hearing it too. Good luck .

Well I love the nanny nan nanna names, I couldn’t careless about middle and upper classes, I do understand what you are meaning crotchetjo that your daughter didn’t come up with another name, I wouldn’t worry to much. It’s early days yet, just enjoy your granddaughter,

Thank you sodapop, someone finally understands. For me the term Nanny came from part of a nickname my Son used to describe me as a future Grandmother, so it has a lot of funny memories behind it.

sodapop

I disagree with the last two posters, their comments say a lot about them.

I have always been Nanny and it suits all of us. Don't get too hung up on this CrochetJo your name will evolve over time, enjoy your granddaughter, they grow up all too quickly.

Er....not me I hope !

I think the point I’m trying to make, but feel like I’m coming across as awkward, is that everyone has a right to be called what they’d like so why can’t I? I don’t care what my Granddaughter will end up calling me, but for now I’d like to be known as Nanny, but it was the way my Daughter flatly refused it but didn’t come up with another suggestion.
My Granddaughter’s can be shortened 2 different ways, so I asked my Daughter if she would like her to be called either of the 2 names or keep with the long original name (because my Daughter hates when people shorten her own name), she said long original name. This something I will stick to because it’s her choice.

I disagree with the last two posters, their comments say a lot about them.

I have always been Nanny and it suits all of us. Don't get too hung up on this CrochetJo your name will evolve over time, enjoy your granddaughter, they grow up all too quickly.

Gosh how quaint! I haven't heard the term nursemaid for years & I certainly would not be worried about " class connotations" as it is likely that your grandchild will take the lead in what you are called.

Wasn’t there another granny/grandma/nan thread just a couple of days ago......
Don’t pay any attention to the “social “ nonsense.