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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is C/O Mr & Mrs usual when sending something to grandchild?

29 replies

flowerlady2 · 30/09/2009 11:11

Or shouldn't it just be addressed to our child directly?

Things are strained on the relative relationship front at the moment, and last week we received something for our child from our IL's addressed to the child's name at our family home address and then then C/o Mr & Mrs.(me and my DH)

I wan't sure whether this was pointed as I thought c/o implied that someone was temporarily staying at an address that wasn't usually their home?

The IL's ignored my birthday just last week and are now down to sending things just to our children. I think this is childish, but it doesn't bother me, but I am concerned about the use of 'c/o'. Any thoughts?

OP posts:
LoveBeingAMummy · 30/09/2009 11:13

I think you are looking into it far too much tbh

nancy75 · 30/09/2009 11:13

my dd's grandparents (live in australia) always address her gifts/card c/o mr & mrs nancy, i think its quite normal.

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 30/09/2009 11:13

YABU

It really doesn't matter.

You say you are having problems with them but they have still sent a gift for your child.

I have known it used in the past.

thedollshouse · 30/09/2009 11:13

I think you are over thinking things. Sometimes I put the childs name and sometimes I put c/o. I find that a lot of people put c/o particularly as the child gets older, as they want to ensure that the parents have seen it first.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 30/09/2009 11:13

It's fairly unusual, but I can't see that it's a cause for concern. Why does it bother you?

Rubyrubyruby · 30/09/2009 11:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nickytwotimes · 30/09/2009 11:14

Don't think it is suspect, no.

Firawla · 30/09/2009 11:15

for parcels may be done because if you are out when it gets delivered and you have to pick it up from post office, you need an id in that name and might not have it for the kids name, but will have bank cards etc for parents name so it makes it easier to collect?

ThePrettiestStar · 30/09/2009 11:17

It wouldn't annoy me at all, I think you are over thinking it far too much! C/O just means care of.

Understandable with the relationship you have with your IL's at the moment, but I would definitely let this one go...

LIZS · 30/09/2009 11:17

You're reading way too much into it ! I think it was probably more for the benefit of the postie in case he didn't recognise the name.

iheartdusty · 30/09/2009 11:18

I think it is perfectly normal.

sometimes with younger children it has been a hint that they shouldn't be left to open it by themselves - eg messy craft stuff inside.

CowWatcher · 30/09/2009 11:20

Generational thing. Oldies tend to think that children can't recieve mail in their own right.

preciouslillywhite · 30/09/2009 11:20

If they don't normally do it, and are just being snidey, then YANBU.

PuppyMonkey · 30/09/2009 11:21

Older people do like to do c/o. My Mum always puts Master XXXX XXXX esq on all her cards to her grandsons etc. Makes me quite

flowerybeanbag · 30/09/2009 11:22

'Pointed'? What point do you think they are trying to make? Even though your relationship might be strained they are still sending their grandchild a present, making sure that he/she doesn't lose out as a result of a disagreement the grandparents have with his/her parents. Sounds fine to me!

Original poster
flowerlady2 · 30/09/2009 11:23

Hi all,

Thank you all for your swift and honest replies, it is much appreciated. I am reassured and agree I have 'over thought' on this occasion! I just needed an independent perspective, its sometimes tricky to see when you are so close up :-)

OP posts:
Stigaloid · 30/09/2009 11:24

Completely normal.

MintyCane · 30/09/2009 11:30

It is normal.

giveloveachance · 30/09/2009 11:44

Makes no difference to the postman, I collected a parcel addressed to my little girl by her first name only, they still gave it to me on presentation of my id and the information card.

Some people think its odd to address something to a small child - so that may be why they did it.

I have always addressed things to the child if it was for them and only use c/o if I am sending it to someone else for passing on to the intended recipient.

Sullwah · 30/09/2009 12:21

YABU - I think you are looking for things to complain about

Original poster
flowerlady2 · 30/09/2009 14:10

No, I'm not looking for something to complain about - just seeking an independent take on the situation. You must have missed my previous post, as it happens they've never used c/o before, but due to the other constructive comments I've received on this post, I have chosen to not be concerned about it.

OP posts:
groundhogs · 30/09/2009 18:40

It's very traditional, and totally usual. Don't worry about it, they don't mean anything by it.

Oh our birthdays are soooo not important, the DC ones are, would you prefer they remember yours and forget your DC?

Take a deep breath, you seem to be looking for issues, where really, there are none.

Hulababy · 30/09/2009 18:42

I think it is very traditional and what a few older people may do.

I tend to address direct to the child, simply as I know how much little children love recieving mail of their own.

Triggles · 30/09/2009 19:51

That's how I address mail to our grandson, to "his name", then "c/o parents names" at their address. It's just what we grew up doing so I didn't really think much of it. It's still addressed directly to them.

ruddynorah · 30/09/2009 19:56

yes it's a funny traditional sort of a thing.

winds me up dh writes cards to his parents addressed mr and mrs X X ie dad's initial then their surname.

i write Dad on cards to my dad, Grandma on cards to my gran. that kind of thing.