Don't Call Her Grandma, It's Too Old-Fashioned
Posted March 3, 2009 10:05 AM
An article that ran Jan. 23 in the Wall Street Journal noted that experts in aging say grandparents will play a new role in the lives of their grandchildren.
Many married when they were older and therefore are older grandparents. As parents, they were very involved with their children, earning the title of "helicopter parents." Some believe they will insert themselves into the lives of their grandchildren, hopefully in even better ways.
Now let's move on to names. The Journal article affirmed that many boomer grandmothers are rejecting traditional terms of grandma, nana and bubbe (a Yiddish term for grandmother). These words make many of them feel old.
Some have taken great pains to find what they consider proper names.
For example, Ms. W. considers herself glamorous and decided to be called Glamma. (Goldie Hawn is allegedly called Glam Ma by her grandchildren.) Ms. F. who is "hip and in touch with fashion" chose to call herself Coco after fashion icon Coco Chanel.
Locally, I found families using names reflecting their roots.
Baba, a short form of abuela, is from the Spanish word for grandmother. Omi is the endearing term for grandmother in German that comes from the word oma. Bubs comes from the Yiddish word bubbe. And nonna is the Italian word for grandmother.
The dilemma of naming grandmother is a subject of much dialogue, as indicated in many Internet blogs.
Books also have been written on the subject. Among them are "You Can Call Me Hoppe! The Grandparents' Guide to Choosing a Name that Fits" by Lauren Charpio and "The New Grandparent Name Book" by Lin Wellford.
Thank you for your good question and good luck in finding a name before your granddaughter begins to speak. Enjoy, and give that little one a big hug.
Helen Dennis is a specialist in aging, with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Send her your questions and concerns in care of the Daily Breeze, 21250 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 170, Torrance, CA 90503; or fax to 310-540-7581, or e-mail to features@dailybreeze.com.
Source: YellowBrix, Daily Breeze
Comments (21)
Have something to say? Share your thoughts.
Posted April 2, 2009 1:24 AM
Well! I am Granddaddy and have been since before my granddaughter was born! I revered my own Granddaddy and it seemed like a natural title for me.
There is nothing as wonderful as hearing her sweet voice say "That's MY Granddaddy!"
Posted March 22, 2009 2:27 PM
I believe that naming something does define it and if we want a different definition for somethng then to re-name it does make the experience and the perception different. I am not the same kind of grandmother my mother was and so I want a different name, this of course does not change the biological fact that I am a grandmother but it does change how myself and others see me and what they expect of me. So rightt before my first grandchild came along I was driving over to see my pregnant daughter one day and saw a white delivery truck that said Nona's Catering - I liked the name and so that is what my grandkids call me. I found out later that some Italian children call their grandmothers by this name. My suggestion is to look at other cultures, maybe one that is related to your own ethnic heriatage and go with that or come up with something that relates to you personally and by all means have fun with it - that to me is what grandmothers are for.
Posted March 14, 2009 5:52 PM
This is just silly. It's a whole trend of not calling things what they really are. A grandmother is a grandmother and you can't change that fact. People need to get over themselves and change the image instead of the name. I'm 61 and much younger-looking than my age, trendy and often whimsical. I am not considered old by anyone I know, including my grandchildren and husband and I have been "Grandma" for 10 years. It's not about the name it's how you wear it. Denial is not just a river in Egypt.
Posted March 8, 2009 7:47 AM
i have been a grandmother since i was 32 years old and i now have 9 grandchildren and i love being called gram or grandma that is the way it is suppose to be and it has been that way for thousand of years!!!!!!
Posted March 7, 2009 5:35 PM
I had always looked forward to being a grandma. My son and daughter married late and their first marriages were flops. So I was in my late 50s when my first grandchild was born.
There was no doubt what I wanted to be called. Growing up around grandparents who emigrated from Russia and Poland and who spoke mostly Yiddish, I called my grandma "Bubby" (Bubbe in Yiddish). I loved that name and her and decided that's what I wanted to be called.
And it worked out great because my daughter now has three stepchildren and they call me "bubby' without a thought. "Grandma" is saved for their parents' moms.
Posted March 5, 2009 3:37 PM
We are Nana and papa to our grandkids. We became granparents att he age of 45 and 47 so grandma and granpa did sound old.
Posted March 4, 2009 10:48 PM
My grandkids have been calling me Gaga since the first one, now five, could talk. I love it. And it's true on so many levels! :)
Posted March 4, 2009 9:50 PM
Let your grandchild create a name. I always assumed I'd be Nana but when my first grandchild was born her other grandmother was Nana. We tried NanaE but my granddaughter made it into Neeny and I love it. It is nice to have a special name.
Posted March 4, 2009 8:18 PM
I am Mimi to my new grandchildren. They already have multiple grandmothers coming into my life and I want to be distinguished from the others, I am about to be a new grandma this month and so excited about my new role.
Posted March 4, 2009 6:56 PM
Maybe it's because I became a grandmother at the age of 62, but I love being called Grandma. There are now several more children who also call me Grandma. And I'm married to Grandpa. We both think those names are wonderful. And are proud that they include us in their lives.
Posted March 4, 2009 6:28 PM
I'm proud to be called Grandma. My 4 grandkids all call me that. Some of my first
grandsons cousins (from the other side of his family) also call me Grandma. One
of the best jobs to have!
carol ô¿ô
Posted March 4, 2009 6:21 PM
At 45 I became a grandmother. My daughter wanted me to be called "Grandma", she thought it would really frost me. As it turned out, I was very proud to be called Grandma. When I was out with my granddaughter, I wanted people to know this was my granddaughter and that I looked really good to be a grandmother.
Posted March 4, 2009 1:47 PM
Gramma it is for this one.....even by my step granddaughter who is only 44 years my junior. Hightest compliment paid as far as I am concerned. I wear the greatgramma that her son calls me very well too. Actually, it doesn't matter what they call me....as long as they call me, but I think it is pretty cool when I hear Gramma shoulted from a distance and I recongize the voice as being one of my own.
Posted March 4, 2009 10:09 AM
hi , want to share!
i have been calle omi from day one
it came pretty natural , as i still speak with my heavy german accent
now its also the friends the of the kids and their friends, and any body else that come to family gatherings
i always loved that ,because , grandmother or granny just did not cut it
so find u,r ethnic term and all be happy!!
the omi
Posted March 4, 2009 8:42 AM
I just turned 51 and most people think I am about 10 years younger. I became a grandparent at 38 and could not have been prouder. I now have 7 (4 biological and 3 that have 2 other grandmothers) and they all call me grandma. Sometimes when we are out shopping people think they are mine and I am only too happy to let them know that I am the grandmother, not the mother. I too have had a great sales career but my biggest accomplishments are my children and grandchildren. They are my future and I don't think anyone will ever speak about my work when I'm long gone. Grandchildren are precious things and should be cherished, so don't be ashamed to be called "GRANDMA" because you look young or have a great career and may be embrassed by it, BE PROUD! It's the one of the greatest jobs you will ever have!
Posted March 3, 2009 9:29 PM
You need to get over yourself. What does one thing, your career and attractiveness, have to do with the other, being a grandparent. Children today have enough to worry about without having to use a different word to describe you, in order to help your ego. It should be about them, not you.
Posted March 3, 2009 8:20 PM
I'm Lolli and he's Pop. It sounds waaaayyyyy better than grandma or granny. I'm "My Lolli".
Posted March 3, 2009 4:40 PM
My grandchildren call me Grammaw. I like it and I don't think it is old. I think creating all these crazy "cool", "hip", names is insane. What has happened to good old fashioned names in our society?
Grammaw T
Posted March 3, 2009 3:16 PM
I heard someone addressing a great-grandma as, "GG". I changed it to Gigi, and when my son comented that I am not a great-grandmother, I told him that I am a great grandmother.
He agreed, and my grandson calls me Gigi. I'm happy, and I LOVE being a grandmother.
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