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Grandparenting

What to be called

(131 Posts)
blue60 Thu 29-Aug-19 18:59:13

An aquaintance of mine is to be a new grandmother next year.

I congratualted her, and we got talking about what she will be called by her grandchild. 'Grandmum' she said.

I haven't heard of that one before. Anyone else heard of or are called by this name?

Maggiemaybe Sat 31-Aug-19 12:46:38

I'm plain Nanna to two of the boys, NannaMaggie to the other two. Though I have noticed NannaNaggie creeping in recently. Totally by accident, of course. grin

Butweam1952 Sat 31-Aug-19 12:42:12

I am Nanny to mine and that gets shorten to Nan by the older ones. I have always loved it. Mind you my two youngest grandchildren live in the USA and when the 4 year old was complemented on a toy he had by a friend and said my nanny gave it to me, my daughter-law said his friends parents all thought he had a traditional English live in Nanny ? xx

seeker4life Sat 31-Aug-19 12:38:26

I grew up in Wales and it was 'Nain' and 'Taid', and my children called my parents the same, even though we lived in England. And now I am called Nain Ellen by my English grandchildren. Interestingly, when I grew up, we called each by their surname - Nain Jones and Taid Evans etc. Now I am called by my first name, which I like. Times have changed.

Mossfarr Sat 31-Aug-19 12:37:36

I really didn't want to be called Granny - definitely conjures up old ladies in wing backed chairs tucked up with crocheted blankets LOL.
I'm Nana to my three GC. I don't like that much either but I couldn't think what else to be called.
My Mum is Gran to her four GGC.

Kirstyfiona Sat 31-Aug-19 12:37:02

Not sure it really matters what I’m called, just grateful to have some lovely grandchildren!

Foxyferret Sat 31-Aug-19 12:27:53

I am Nanny and my mother is Nanny Dot or Nanny by the sea. My daughters grandchildren in the USA call her and her husband Mimi and Peepaw. I don’t think what you are called really matters as long as they love to come and visit.

Mamma66 Sat 31-Aug-19 12:24:04

I am Mamma (usual name in our area). I would have preferred Granny, but when they fling themselves at you shouting ‘Mamma’ I don’t really mind... ? My late Mum wanted to be Granny, but her first Grandchild couldn’t say it and so she became ‘Gan Gan’ and it stuck, even though the children we adults or nearly adults when she sadly died they never did stop calling her ‘Gan Gan ❤️❤️❤️

yggdrasil Sat 31-Aug-19 12:10:38

I am Big Granny. I am only 5ft tall, but Little Granny is only 4'10 and thin as a rake :-)

olliebeak Sat 31-Aug-19 12:09:05

I'd say, 'leave it to whatever the child can pronounce'. My daughter tried to get my first grandchild (now aged 21) to say 'Nanna or Nanny' ................. it came out as 'Narnie' - which has stuck with ALL seven of my grandchildren. I've never heard of anybody else with this nickname, so I'm proud to be unique - thanks to my beautiful granddaughter!

Davida1968 Sat 31-Aug-19 12:06:20

I've always been "Grandma", which suits me fine because that's what I called my own grandmothers. More recently my (teenage) American DGD calls me: "Granneee...." in a strong American accent. Not my choice of name, but I don't care, because I'm still just so pleased to be a gran!

Tricia55 Sat 31-Aug-19 11:57:32

I guess it really is a family decision.
I have to say I prefer granny, although I have a friend who hates granny & prefers Nana or Nanny, while I have always thought an Nanny is someone you pay to look after your children.
I tend to tease her, in a friendly way of course.
Tricia x

narrowboatnan Sat 31-Aug-19 11:52:39

For my DD's children I am Narrowboat Nanny
My DD's MiL is Nanny Bubbles (because she used to blow bubbles to amuse GS Number 1 when he was small)
Nanny Bubbles' own mother is Nanny Pickle (because she was in a pickle with her health and had to go into hospital)
My DD's step mother is Little Nanny (because she's barely 5ft tall in her stockinged feet).

My DS's Children call me Grandma - and sometimes in their excitement they call me Grandpa when they start yelling before they see who is the other side of the front door.

mumu54 Sat 31-Aug-19 11:27:19

My daughter and grandson were coming over one day a couple of years ago and my daughter said "We are going to Grandma's". Grandson asked "which Grandma?" and daughter said "Normal Grandma" as he saw considerably more of me than his other grandparents. Guess what I'm called to this day .....

Susiewakie Sat 31-Aug-19 11:20:49

I wanted to be called granny but both DGD call me Graggy ! Never mind poor old grandad is grumpy ?

Sarahmob Sat 31-Aug-19 11:14:05

I’m Grammy officially but my 22 month DGS can’t yet say that and I’m Bammy at the moment. Think that might stick. I love my choice of grandparent name - each to their own

Tris68 Sat 31-Aug-19 11:10:37

I'm nanny to my youngest DGC & nan to my eldest. I never wanted to be gran or grandma as I was only 40 when DGD1 was born (both me & DD became first time mums at 20) One day when I was picking my eldest DGD up from ballet she told me that her friend called her nan gran but she wasn't going to call me gran as I wasn't old enough! ?

ctussaud Sat 31-Aug-19 10:52:42

I chose to be Garnie, like Sylvia in Ballet Shoes; similar enough to Granny but just a little different.

NannyG123 Sat 31-Aug-19 10:49:57

Nanny,and nan.for me.

rafichagran Sat 31-Aug-19 10:49:01

I am called Gran as well. I love it. Ti each his own. Nanny to me are people who are paid to look after children. It also has a association with goats.

coast35 Sat 31-Aug-19 10:47:25

I am Granny but I was Gaga for quite a number of years. I love hearing his voice calling my name.
I have a friend called Al. His many grandchildren started to call him Papa Al which was soon shortened to Pal. He did have an embarrassing experience picking his twin granddaughters up from nursery. The staff didn’t know him so they asked the children if he was their Grandpa. No they said he’s our Pal!! Took a wee bit of explaining and a couple of phone calls.

Legs55 Sat 31-Aug-19 10:41:54

I started off as Nanny, DD's choice as my DM is her Granny & is Granny to DGGSs.

When DGS1 was about 6 he decided he wanted to be grown up he wanted to call me Nan. DGS2 has grown up only knowing my as Nan, there is a 7 year age gap. I do prefer being Nansmile

Theoddbird Sat 31-Aug-19 10:37:32

When my first grandchild was born nearly 23 years ago my mum was still alive. She was Nanny to the grandchildren. I felt too young to be granny so decided to take a word from a favourite programme when I was younger. I lived Mork and Mindy so chose the name Nanoo. All six grandchildren call me it Nanoo

Frannygranny Sat 31-Aug-19 10:31:52

I love being called Gran. Makes me feel special. Hate Granny, it sounds so old. Other GP is Granma which she loves. Each to their own I suppose.

Anniebach Sat 31-Aug-19 10:24:25

Granny, this granny showed her then small grandson how to climb trees,my dress tucked in knickers and up the trees we went.

Younger granddaughter calls me Bro.

Bazza Sat 31-Aug-19 10:16:08

Our first grandchild, now 13 christened me Barry, much to everyone’s amusement. So that’s what I am called by all four of them, and now also by both DD’s and even DH. I do get some funny looks when we’re out. DH is pop pops. Still prefer it to nan or granny.