Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

AIBU?

To stop the 'nicknames'?

200 replies

PrtyPsn · 22/04/2017 08:19

Expecting DS1 very soon and starting to think about when he's here.
OH's parents already have grandchildren from his siblings. When their first grandchild was learning to talk, they mispronounced 'Granny' and 'Grandpa' (as young children often do) it was cute and funny at the time but the in laws encouraged it.
Now, several grandchildren later (all at an age of speaking perfectly well) they all still refer to their grandparents as these mispronunciations.
It really grates on me - I come from a child education background so I know how frustrating it is when children use alternative words for something and teaching children to mispronounce a word is a big pet hate of mine.
So, AIBU to ask them to stop this for my child? It's not a habit I want him to fall into and definitely not something that will happen with any other family members but it's clear they like it as they've done it for years.

OP posts:

Report

user1471517900 · 22/04/2017 08:27

Just correct future child if he or she says it wrong. It's fairly simple.

Or for our entertainment...... Tell them you're going NC and why.

(This really is not a big deal)

NapQueen · 22/04/2017 08:30

You wont be teaching your dcs to mispronounce a word. They are still Granny and Grandpa. They just have family known as names which have derived from that.

So what if they are known as Gangan or Gramps or whatever. Your kids will still learn that they are grandmother and grandfather.

WilburIsSomePig · 22/04/2017 08:30

I come from a child education background How on earth is this relevant?

I also come from a 'child education background' but let the DC's call their grandparents what they liked.

I would suggest that, in the scheme of things, this is such a non issue and you may wish to unclench and focus on the big stuff.

Trifleorbust · 22/04/2017 08:31

Major chill needed here.

Jayneisagirlsname · 22/04/2017 08:32

It's not going to do them any harm in the long run. Children will learn as they grow that the mispronounced name is the individual name for their own grandparent, in the same way that we all have our individual names.
It's nice to have little family in jokes and nicknames - it's part of what builds a family.

Primary school teacher here btw

EdmundCleverClogs · 22/04/2017 08:33

Sorry but I think you are being very precious. Kids and grandparents often figure out the 'nicknames', it's a part of their unique relationship. Much of my degree was in language acquisition in children, it does zero harm. As you said, other grandchildren can now speak 'perfectly fine'.

Or for our entertainment...... Tell them you're going NC and why.

PandasRock · 22/04/2017 08:33

It's not 'teaching to mispronounce a word ' though, is it?

It's using a nickname, as the mispronunciation has evolved over the years.

Telling a child 'mischievous' is pronounced 'mischeeeveeeous' is teaching mispronounciation. Using a cute contraction or evolved nickname is not.

My dd2 couldn't pronounce dd1's name as a toddler - she missed out the middle bit (common error for toddlers) and we ended up with a cute shortening, which got shortened even further and became dd1's nickname for years (until she asked us to use her full name, which we did/do)

Would you have this same dread if it were your parents?

Dillite2 · 22/04/2017 08:34

I am one of those children (obviously no longer a child) and do it to this day. The one time I called my aunts Aunt Whatever they got terribly upset because they loved the nicknames that I had given them.

gentlydoesit89 · 22/04/2017 08:34

You'll probably find once DS1 arrives that the million other things first time parents go through will push this to the bottom of the priority list.

BarneyRumbleton · 22/04/2017 08:34

I don't understand why you want your children to call them something different to the other children in the family?
They are just affectionate nicknames. They won't stunt your child's language development.
If you come from a child ed background, you'll know all about the importance of motherese and baby talk.

Adalind · 22/04/2017 08:34

Are the older grandchildren aware of their mispronunciation? As in, they know the proper words but are choosing to continue using the nickname?
Using the correct word to your child when you refer to them is probably the best plan, I wouldn't make it an 'issue' that requires a chat.
My parents have lots of granchilldrem, some call them something different but all the children know who everyone is talking about.

SoloDance · 22/04/2017 08:35

It's up to you. You will come across as a bit like you have a stick up your arse. But if thays the look you are going for,then fine.

user1471521456 · 22/04/2017 08:36

I had a Gangan and I only managed to get a degree. I always regret that my parents not teaching me to say Grandad properly meant that I wasn't doctorate material. [:(]

DancingLedge · 22/04/2017 08:37

What are you going to do when your children mispronounce names? You can choose to correct them, but there will be a phase when they use a name and simply can't get it right yet. Chances are, like the rest of us, you will actually find this quite charming. If not, what are you going to do? Forbid your children from using words they can't pronounce?

00100001 · 22/04/2017 08:38

Wow OP. You sound like a plonker.

PenelopeFlintstone · 22/04/2017 08:39

I also find them nauseating, especially a neighbour's MaaaMaaaa in the most nasal, droning child's voice EVER.

user1471521456 · 22/04/2017 08:39

You see! I can't even get smileys to post correctly. shakes fist at parents

HamletsSister · 22/04/2017 08:39

I was the oldest grandchild and mispronounced. And then so did everyone, all other grandchildren their children, carers etc.

They both loved having an unique name. And we all knew who we were talking about in a world full of grannies and grampas.

BertrandRussell · 22/04/2017 08:39

So you want your child to be the only one to call his grandparents something different. And by doing so, implicitly pointing out what a crap idea it is for the other grandchildren to use the family names, because of your "child education background"

I can see this going really well. But hey ho, who cares abourna few hurt feelings?

MollyCule · 22/04/2017 08:39

Sorry, I also think YABU. My grandfather had a NN that resulted from my eldest cousin not being able to day Grandad correctly early on. He was a wonderful man and the name is special to all of us, I think it's quite sweet really. I dislike incorrect pronunciations too ('pacific' for 'specific' particularly grates) but this is totally different in my opinion.

00100001 · 22/04/2017 08:39

My Nephew call his grandparents "Noodles" and "flops"

He still knows the correct term and family tree. He's 13 and doing just fine. Even knows to refer to them and "grandparents" when talking to other people.

Crisscrosscranky · 22/04/2017 08:40

This is the most PFB I've heard on here in a while.

YABVU

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

WellErrr · 22/04/2017 08:41

So you want your child to be the only one to call his grandparents something different. And by doing so, implicitly pointing out what a crap idea it is for the other grandchildren to use the family names, because of your "child education background"

Bertrand has it.

PrtyPsn · 22/04/2017 08:42

Ok, seems like most don't agree but don't see the need in being quite so rude... always good to know I sound like a plonker.
I wouldn't have posted if this wasn't a genuine concern for me and I get it might not be to others - it's exactly why I wanted other opinions (just hoped it would have been politer)
Yes, I would still have this concern if it was my parents.
I understand baby talk but when a child is 13 and still saying it then it's not baby talk.
Like the idea of correcting my child, slight worry it will become a battle if in laws continue the names.

OP posts:

ShowOfHands · 22/04/2017 08:43

I come from a chill the fuck out background.

You can encourage your dc to call their grandparents whatever you like but it's nothing to do with education. It's simply preference. And my gangan agrees with me.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.