Permalink Reply by Joyce on November 29, 2008 at 10:38am
I have a very odd situation. My husband was raised by his grandmother. He doesn't remember his mom. When he figured out that his grandmother was not his mom, he stopped calling her anything. I had never figured out what to call her, until our son was born. Now she is Nana, because that is what all the "grandkids" call her.
I try not to call her by name. She's said that I can call her mom, but I call her Mrs. Coleman. (I don't call anyone "mom" except my own mom because we have such a special relationship!)
I call my MIL by her first name. I never imagined that she would want that but I'm so glad that I do. It works out perfectly. I can't imagine calling her Mrs. XXX or "Mom". I think being on a first name basis has kept our relationship open and real.
I called her "Mum", she's no longer with us, but she was great! She stayed with us here in the states when we had our baby girl and was a big help! My dh is Irish, but living in England when we met. We miss her dearly. :(
I call mine by her name and my FIL too. I was never offered mom and dad as an option...so they can't be upset. Besides I have a mom and a dad and love them dearly!
I don't call her anything. I always make sure I have direct eye-contact so I can avoid calling her by her first name.
In front of the kids it's easiest,.... I call her gran and she loves it !
By the way, I have a very good relationship to my MIL.
I wish my mother in law would have told me what to call her, but since she didn't and she isn't my mom, i call her by her first name. I will make sure I tell my children's spouses what I want to be called when the time comes!