Our first grandchild (a boy) is due on September 1.
This past weekend, Christine and Phillip were here for their first baby shower. Jamie was here as well and so we all had a very enjoyable weekend.
They asked me a question, however, that is very difficult. In fact, I don’t have an answer yet.
“What do you want this child to call you?”
“Jim?” (Ok, I wasn’t serious.).
I still have no idea.
What are the options? Grandpa, granddad, grandfather, pop, papa, pappy, big papa, big daddy, pop-pop, paw-paw, pa, pa-paw and poppy. Are there more?
What did you call your grandfather?
My brother’s grandson calls him “G-daddy” – a modern twist. It’s ironic that we reach a point where our kids give us names…
Good question! Seems like grandparents in this generation are too ‘young’ to be called grandma and grandpa! I called my wonderful grandfather Popie. I also like Papa. By the way, congratulations!
Carmel, thanks for the congrats! Also, thanks for the names popie and papa. Good names.
Mark, it is ironic that we reach a point where the kids give us names. Somehow I think I would like to provide the name rather than waiting to see what comes out when this child begins to speak. 🙂
How exciting for you and your whole family! Congratulations! Of course we are all much to young to be grandparents!!! Because of our German heritage, our grands call us Opa and Oma. The proper designation would be Grossvater and Grossmutter, but that’s too formal for us. The children called my mother Oma Oma – sort of the 2nd generation of Oma. Fun times ahead and God bless! They grow up so fast!
Karin, it is a very exciting time. Thanks for these names. How interesting! How nice that your German heritage has come into play with the grandchildren.
Congratulations! I think my grandfathers were both referred to Granddaddy but they both passed away before I was 10 yrs old and my older siblings might remember better. However, my late father is Papa to his 10 grandchildren and he was the BEST grandfather ever so I am kinda partial to Papa. Love to the whole family.
Gayle, good to hear from you. Papa! Thanks very much for this. (I hope you guys are doing well.)
My 3 year old grandson calls me Bumpy. I have no idea where it comes from. But, I don’t care what he calls me so long as he calls me.
I agree with the cliche – Grandchildren are God’s way of rewarding you for not killing your kids!
David, thanks for this. I wonder how many grandparents have names like this for which they have no idea where they came from. How interesting!
Thanks so much.
Tom’s grandkids call him “Paw Paw.” I’m “Grandma Dee” to everyone in the entire clan. So, you could be “Grandpa Jim.” My grandkids call Tom either “Grandpa Tom” or just “Tom!” Usually it works out that the child finds his OWN moniker for his grandparents, despite what they may want.
Greg England’s little grandson calls him “Grindaddy,” which Greg LOVES, of course!
It will work out, with or without your help, most likely. 🙂
Dee
Dee, good to hear from you. You are right. It will work out with or without my help. 🙂 But since they’ve asked, I thought I would at least volunteer a suggestion.
We can’t wait to see you as a Granddad, and I feel sure you will come up with a most clever name. Larry is “Bud”. Zach and Meg came up with that…seems that is what Zach has kind of called his dad as an adult…so he thought it would be fun! The boys sometimes say it with quite a Texas “accent” attached…Buuuuuud! I am Honey. So…what will you and Charlotte be?
Mary Kay! Bud and Honey. Now that is great! I can see your grandchildren calling you and Larry by those names. What will Charlotte and I be? I think Charlotte is going for “Lottie” and me? An unknown. Really don’t know. Good to hear from you.
Having been raised by my grandparents, they were Papa and Mama to me. John’s grandson calls him Granddad or sometimes Grandpa John. Wait and see what your little fella comes up with? He may put his own variation on Grandpa!!!!!!
Jeri, thanks for these names. I hear your encouragement regarding letting this child choose. Other people here are thinking much the same. Thanks! 🙂
Greetings from the land of Abraham (Iraq)! One of the traditions we have in our family is the first grandchild gets to name the grandparents. My kids did not suggest or encourage the name so I ended up PaPa. My oldest son named my Dad Big Pop and my wife’s Dad Little Pop. All 16 grandkids accepted that! There was a significant difference in their size! Let them chose the name it becomes more meaningful.
Hugh, good to hear from you! A few names that I had not thought of! Also appreciate your encouragement regarding letting grandchildren choose the name! I suspect that like much of life, it will end up being very different from what I might anticipate. Nevertheless, it is fun to think about.
Hope you are doing well in the land of Abraham.
Our oldest grandson (the twins are just now starting to talk) calls me “Grindaddy.” My maternal grandfather was very affectionately known to his 26 grandchildren as “Bozo.” Of the two, I’d opt for the former!
Greg, of the two I would also opt for the former! 🙂 Thanks!
congratulations, jim…you’re life will change in ways you never imagined.
my son and daughter-in-law recently gave me a granddaughter (first grandchild) and i have asked to be addressed as “your highness.”
just something to consider.
Randy, thanks very much! I’m sure you are right (from what I hear) that might life will change.
“Your highness” has not been suggested. I’m not sure what would happen if I mentioned this but could float this by my daughter. 🙂 I think I can hear her response. “Oh Dad, really!”
Thanks Randy!
Never having had grandparents, I never got to call any of them anything. And not quite yet to the point of having grandchildren I’m sure I’ll face the same dilemma (hopefully in the not too distant future! We do have our first grandpuppy!) But what interested me was the picture of the sign – it’s 5 minutes from my house in Glenwood Springs, CO.
Congratulations, Jim.
YOU WILL BE WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO BE, AND YOU WILL BE PROUD OF IT.
I don’t think it matters what the grandchild calls you–just be there for him. I never had a grandfather that I knew and barely remember one of my grandmothers. I always envied the other kids that could go spend the weekend with their grandparents. I only have one grandchild and he is the only grandchild on both sides. Since both his parents are divorce and their parents are he has a lot of people to go visit so I don’t see him as much as I’d like. He calls me Grandma Linda. He called his dad’s dad, “Big Pa-Pa Tom.” (He was 6’4″).