Too cool for Grandma and Grandpa
Categories: Relatives
When I became a grandmother at the age of 35, I knew without a doubt I did not want to be called 'Grandma'. Grandma's are sweet ladies with soft laps and false teeth. More importantly, Grandma's are old. I am none of those things and therefore chose Nana as a youthful alternative. But even Nana sounds old to me now and I am wishing I had given the whole matter a little more thought.
Which is why I read with interest this article about what baby boomer grandparents are calling themselves these days. Grandma or Grandpa is not cool enough for a generation who thinks middle age doesn't begin until 48 and old age starts somewhere around 75.
There is a stereotype connected to the traditional grandparent names and many want nothing to do with them. This aversion stems from the fact that grandparents today are different than previous generations. Only 12 percent of boomer grandparents have retired and they are generally healthier and wealthier than their own parents at that age. It's only fitting that their names reflect these differences.
Blended families are also playing a part in the changing of the names. Second marriages can result in all kinds of unique situations and who really wants to be called Daddy and Grandpa at the same time?
If you can't come up with a creative alternative on your own, there are several websites out there to help you. Namenerds and Grandboomers both have lists of unique names for grandparents. You could be Bampie or Tata. Or, like Goldie Hawn, your grandchildren could call you Glamma. I wish I had thought of that.
Which is why I read with interest this article about what baby boomer grandparents are calling themselves these days. Grandma or Grandpa is not cool enough for a generation who thinks middle age doesn't begin until 48 and old age starts somewhere around 75.
There is a stereotype connected to the traditional grandparent names and many want nothing to do with them. This aversion stems from the fact that grandparents today are different than previous generations. Only 12 percent of boomer grandparents have retired and they are generally healthier and wealthier than their own parents at that age. It's only fitting that their names reflect these differences.
Blended families are also playing a part in the changing of the names. Second marriages can result in all kinds of unique situations and who really wants to be called Daddy and Grandpa at the same time?
If you can't come up with a creative alternative on your own, there are several websites out there to help you. Namenerds and Grandboomers both have lists of unique names for grandparents. You could be Bampie or Tata. Or, like Goldie Hawn, your grandchildren could call you Glamma. I wish I had thought of that.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marcia 4-30-2007 @ 2:48PM
I have to say I disagree that Grandma or whatever term of endearment your family uses has an 'old' connotation to it. My parents are 38 and we call them Grandma and Pap-pap. Regardless of what you call them, they're still going to be the same thing right? so what's the point in calling them something else? I don't understand the 'too cool' to be called what you are thing. Maybe it's just me.
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Karen 4-30-2007 @ 7:24PM
When my daughter was born, she had 5 sets of grandparents (2 sets from my side and 3 sets from my husbands side....he remained close to husband number 2 since he raised him). She also had 7 great grandparents. I was 30 when I had my first child but all were living at the time. We had to come up with 15 different names. Several use the name grandma with an additional word....like Grandma Kitty because she was the one with a cat. We had everything from Nana, Grandma, Grandmother, Mimsy, Manny, Poppy, Grandaddy, Grampa, Grandpop...it goes on. They were all very involved in her life, so it was necessary to make distinctions. Call yourself whatever you like. Just be involved!
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danish 4-30-2007 @ 7:44PM
Ugh. My mother in law is a young 54 and we gave her her first grandchild. she actually went online to see what other grandmothers are called and decided on Bella. Which is nothing like her real name. And she calls herself that in the third person all the livelong day. Drives me insane.
Meanwhile, my mother was also a first time grandmother with our baby and she is thrilled to be called Grandma.
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Amy 5-01-2007 @ 5:57AM
Are you serious? That's very shallow. I will be a proud grandma, no matter what age that happens.
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caitlin 5-01-2007 @ 2:00PM
My parents are only in their early 50s and they love being Grandma and Grandpa. You should see the way they smile when they're out with my two year old and he proudly announces "This is MY grandma and grandpa!" to everyone they pass.
It just seems like another variation on the mommy/mama thing. I would prefer to be called mama instead of mommy, but sometimes kids don't really give you much of a choice :).
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Rika 5-01-2007 @ 8:36PM
My parents are Papa John....for some reason my dad thinks it's fun to pick a name after pizza and My mom is going to teach the baby to call her YaYa...which she swears is greek for grandma...I think it's cute, but then again no one in my family is normal
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