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We're in Bama. Our kids have few non related "Aunts and Uncles", but that is reserved for the closest of friends to the family. Other than that, everyone else is "Mister John" or "Miss Katie". I like it, it gives respect without being too formal.
What I got out of that thread is that it is mostly a regional thing.
Agreed. Here, the kids use first names. My own DD said 'Tim ate lunch w/ us today', instead of 'so & so's Dad'. I don't care what kids call me, as long as it's Bella/Lucas's Mom/Mommy, or my name. For ME, Mrs. 'my last name' makes me feel 'old'. lol
Aunt & Uncle are reserved for blood & our closest friends, who are like blood. I consider aunt & uncle terms of respect for those we are closest to. =)
My kids have a Grandma, a Grandpa, a Nanny, a Pop pop, a Granddad, a Mimi, 2 Great Granddads, a Great Nanny, & a Great Grammy Alberta. Some step, most blood. They also call our friends they call aunt & uncle's parents Grammy & Grampy so & so. Along w/ hubby & my Mom's friends as well. =) One doesn't have grandkids of her own & loves ours like hers. =*)
We're in Bama. Our kids have few non related "Aunts and Uncles", but that is reserved for the closest of friends to the family. Other than that, everyone else is "Mister John" or "Miss Katie". I like it, it gives respect without being too formal.
That is a great idea. I might just insist on Mrs. Laura. =) Just to keep respect. FWIW, respect is a huge deal for me. I want my kids to respect all. Not like alot of these jackhole kids I want to smack today. lol
Hearing Mrs. FC is a reminder that I am adult and should conduct myself as one. When children refer to me by my first name, it blurs the lines both for them and for me. It's a two-way street.
Hearing Mrs. FC is a reminder that I am adult and should conduct myself as one. When children refer to me by my first name, it blurs the lines both for them and for me. It's a two-way street.
Absolutely. I'm reminded of the leader of a parenting class that we took years ago who responded to a parent's lament when her kids' friends called her Mrs. Surname, "That makes me feel so old!" He replied, "You ARE old. There's no stigma about that."
Hearing Mrs. FC is a reminder that I am adult and should conduct myself as one. When children refer to me by my first name, it blurs the lines both for them and for me. It's a two-way street.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CA4Now
Absolutely. I'm reminded of the leader of a parenting class that we took years ago who responded to a parent's lament when her kids' friends called her Mrs. Surname, "That makes me feel so old!" He replied, "You ARE old. There's no stigma about that."
I absolutely agree. It does draw a distinction, and sets a tone for how the child is a child, and the adult is the adult. I agree that respect and borders are certainly attainable without the Mr./Mrs. titles, but they are just a usefull tool to facilitate respect and behavioral expectations.
I insisted my kids called my friends "auntie Jane", "auntie Cathy" etc., until they were old enough (elder teenagers), to call them by their first names. My friend's kids called me "auntie(first name)
BTW, when I get called Mrs(last name), it makes me feel very old, I feel it is WAY too old fasioned, and I will tell the child that my name is ...(first name) All my kid's friends call me by my first name now that they are young adults.
We have friends who are from the south (Carolina). Their boys were raised in a military family and they call me ma'am. No matter how many times I tell them to call me by my first name, they just can't/won't do it. I accept it, but it still bothers me that they don't feel comfortable accepting that although I am older than they are, I am a friend and equal, not someone they need to put a title on. Respect is won by actions, not words/names, IMO.
My parents taught is to call anyone older than us either Mr., Mrs., Ma'am or Sir. My mother had a very proper Southern upbringing, and we were never to address an adult by their first name. Many times the adult in question would say 'please call me Ann or Joe, etc' We then were allowed to call them Ms. Ann or Mr. Joe.
Where we live, every single kid calls every single parent by their first name. Same can be said for the majority of teachers, coaches, etc. Even the our school's principal is referred to by their first name. Surprisingly, kids seem to respect the adults.
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