Comments on: Grandma Has More Names Than “Grandma”

By: Pat Snyder

Pat Snyder — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:42:23 +0000

Hi, Maridel –
Good to hear from you! I’m still sticking with grandma until Taylor herself comes up with something better. At not quite 7 months, she’s not saying. Beautiful and brilliant as she is, though, I’m expecting a name and a full sentence explaining it any day.

By: Maridel Bowes

Maridel Bowes — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:03:54 +0000

Hi Pat–

This response is a an after-the-blog fact, but just wanted to drop by and say thanks! In doing my occasional Google search to see how I’m faring in cyberspace, I found your blog with a mention of me and my book, “Who Are You Calling Grandma?” Sweet!

I’d love to know what name you decided on — Nana? or did something else come along?

Warmly,
Maridel

By: Ruth

Ruth — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:04:25 +0000

Hi, Had to laugh when I happened upon your site today, and this entry in particular. I am “Grammy” to four beautiful granddaughters, ranging in age from almost 21 to age 6. My first, Danielle, named all of her grandparents when she was old enough to talk. I am “Grammy”. Her paternal grandmother is “little grandma” (because she is petite, around 5′ tall); my mother is “big grandma”, not because she is overweight, but because she is taller than “little grandma” so that’s how Danielle made the distinction :). I don’t remember what she called her grandfathers (they’re all gone now), but I’m still Grammy to Danielle and the rest. And each time I hear it, I melt. Enjoy yourself, whatever you’re called. As my mom used to say, I don’t care what you call me, just call me to supper. Have a great life!

By: Lori Cohen

Lori Cohen — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:05:06 +0000

Pat, you forget that no matter what you call yourself or what your grandchild’s mother will call you, sometimes the kid will decide for him/herself. My mother-in-law softly refused being called “Grandma” because she thought it made her sound old. My kids eventually ended up calling her “Grammy”, and honestly, I don’t know how that came about. I just let it happen. The Grandpa in our family is “Grampie”, and that morphed about that same way. Good luck and don’t worry about it…the kids really will decided.

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:08:13 +0000

Until my grandson, Gavin, decides otherwise, I am Grandpa following in a long line of Grandpas starting with my own which is as far back as I can go. I got first dibs on the title, Grandpa, since I was there at the hospital when he joined this plane of existence as the first baby born at Yale University on 1/1/07. His other grandparents had to give up and go home to Virginia since Gavin did not come at the time first prophesied. As far as how popular this might be with other Boomers, instead of a boom, I’ve always been just a small pop so I can’t be concerned with how out of fashion I might be.

By: Debby Turoff

Debby Turoff — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:08:03 +0000

Hello Pat!

Loved your column in the HILLIARD NORTHWEST NEWS yesterday – I also struggled with what to be called when my first grandchild was born 5 years ago – my marvelous Makayla – her Daddy is Dutch so his mother is called “OMA” which sounds nice I think – my mother, my sister and my sister in law are all Nanas ( and my sister in law, who is Jewish, would normally be called “Bubba” but she nixed that right away) – so I didn’t want to go that route – a friend suggested GG – it stands for Gorgeous Grandma – pretty cute- but my son in law came up with the perfect name – as I mentioned, my Mother was Nana and my Dad was Granddryden – his last name and my maiden name was Dryden and I named his father Granddryden when I was a child and it stuck for my Dad as well – so my son in law suggested Granddebby! And that has been delightful – I now have 4 grandchildren – 2 boys 2 girls and they all call me GrandDebby! In addition to Oma, the boys have a grandparent named Mommom and one traditional Grandma Carol. Thanks for the lighthearted spotlight on a “boomer” controversy!
Debby