Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I was just having this conversation today with a friend. I am totally in the minority within my group of friends. My children are always to refer to adults by so and so's mommy/daddy or Mrs./Mr. so and so.

What say you?

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

Up until recently I had DD call adults/my friends by their first name b/c I didn't think she could say their last name. She'll be 4 in July & now we always say, "Michael's mommy" or "Mr. So & So"

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

We loosely enforce using Ms/Mr 'first name' for neighbors and friends, but that seems to get a little weird/babyish when the kids are older 6/7+ . Adults with kids by defualt get called "whoevers mommy" Not sure what we will transfer over to when the kids are older, I have a few nighbor kids that just call me by my first name and it isnt really a big deal.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I want to be called by my first name. They call their friends parents by first name but then again they are 4&5. I think when they are older Mr/Mrs. X. Would be ok to call parents

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

i grew up calling everyone by their first names, as do my kids now, mr/mrs (first name) is for teachers, friends and parents friends are first names.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I want them to refer to adults by Mr. & Mrs. So & So. First name is reserved to very close friends of mine. One or two friends forever are Aunt & Uncle.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

My kids are 12 and 7 and I think I have been called Mrs. once or maybe even twice.
You don't come across many kids anymore that use Mr. and Mrs.
It is usually the first name or so and so's mom or dad.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

It depends on who they are, where we know them from and what that person has set precedent with.

For example, my friends that she's known forever are Aunt or Uncle SoandSo, neighbors are Mr. and Mrs. SoandSo unless they have told her to call them by their first names (which is most of them). Friends parents are always Mr. and Mrs. SoandSo, regardless of what they were told to call them. I have a bit of a pet peeve about that.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

If we are friends then they call them by their 1st name. People we do not know well are Mrs. and Mr. so n so.
When people call me Mrs. So n So, I am like, um no... THAT is my MIL

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I've taught my kids to say Mr. and Mrs. Personally, I just feel it sets the stage for respecting adults.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I hate to be called mrs. a. I prefer stephanie. However, i tell the kids to call me whatever their parents would like them to. I find my two older kids friends tend to call me by my first name. The older 2 seem to call their friends parents by their first names. There is never any doubt that I am the adult/parent and my kids are very very respectful to adults.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I prefer to be called by my first name, or Ms. Lisa if the parents want more formality. Amongst my close friends, we all go by first names. There is one exception who has an 'uncle' title, but he's also their pediatrician, so he's uncle j instead of dr. j.

I do not like being called Mrs. LastName. Thats my MIL - it makes me feel old.

I teach my kids to be respectful regardless of how formally they address adults. (growing up we generally used Mr & Mrs.)

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

We're all first name basis. Mr and Mrs is way too formal. I wouldn't want anyone calling me that.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

They call everyone Mr & Mrs X... until and unless given permission to use their first name. I allow their friends to call me Mrs. Sxxx, Noah and Robbie's Mommy or Jeannie - whatever they are most comfortable with.

Message edited 4/26/2011 7:03:18 AM.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I prefer to be called by my first name. I didn't change my name when I married, so I don't have the same last name as my DH or my DS. I don't really want to be called "Mrs. X" although I do answer to it when people use it.

DS is 3. Right now, I usually ask adults how they want to be addressed by my son. Most people tell me to use their first name. I think when he is a little older, I will probably tell him to call the parents of his school friends "Mr." or "Mrs." Close friends will still be called by their first name. I am not a fan of Aunt or Uncle unless they are blood.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

Posted by nrthshgrl

I want them to refer to adults by Mr. & Mrs. So & So. First name is reserved to very close friends of mine. One or two friends forever are Aunt & Uncle.

OK, this made me think My DC's called you by your first name the other day, right?

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I feel so old being called "Mrs. X" and my dh always says, don't call me that - my dad is still alive.
I leave it up to my kids friends parents also, some are Mr & Mrs and some go by first names.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

Posted by nrthshgrl

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

Posted by nrthshgrl

I want them to refer to adults by Mr. & Mrs. So & So. First name is reserved to very close friends of mine. One or two friends forever are Aunt & Uncle.

OK, this made me think My DC's called you by your first name the other day, right?

Yes but I refer to you by first name too with them because I consider you a good friend.

Friends' parents, Mr. & Mrs X

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

When I was younger my friends parents were Mrs & Mr _ however with my older son I tried to teach him to do the same but I think he just avoids speaking to them first as for my 2 younger children they usually just refer to them as their friends mom. But on the other hand I HATE to be called Mrs! When ever the children attempt to start calling me that I just say Melissa is fine. I don't know why but I just don't like.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I prefer my kids not. If the last name is too formal, I have them say "Miss Kate" or "Mr. John" My little guy will say stuff like "Mrs. William's Mom" I have been called by my first name by kids and I dont find it's disrespectful, certainly not enough to correct another child but it feels odd. Also I find as the kids & their friends get older, some kids try to interact with adults as contemporaries so it's different when a kid who behaves that way calls me by my first name vs. a child who uses my first name but is still having a child/adult conversation. Does that make sense?

Message edited 4/26/2011 2:02:45 PM.

Re: Where do you stand on your kids calling adults by their name?

I prefer my first name and will always ask other parents what they want my child to call them.