tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733341245051470852.post8429775114008751009..comments2023-10-21T05:28:33.807-04:00Comments on What to Read Today: Not Knowing What to Call Your Mother-in-LawPaula Bolyardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05567777774272590296noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733341245051470852.post-41275358363462846222012-04-12T03:24:22.869-04:002012-04-12T03:24:22.869-04:00Though I hate to call her, I have to call her MA, ...Though I hate to call her, I have to call her MA, as we stay under one roof. I hate to share the most caring, lovely word with this woman, but I don't have any choice.burning desirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17738508224432201165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733341245051470852.post-60353498072211224792011-04-17T21:54:56.610-04:002011-04-17T21:54:56.610-04:00I wonder if it's easier in the South because y...I wonder if it's easier in the South because you can just go with "Ma'am"?Paula Bolyardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05567777774272590296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733341245051470852.post-87052870182998783562011-04-17T21:12:31.547-04:002011-04-17T21:12:31.547-04:00Surprisingly I've never had this problem, whil...Surprisingly I've never had this problem, while she was still living my MIL (btw I like that may I use it?) was always addressed by her first name by all her son-in-laws. As my own mother had been deceased for seven years by the time of my marriage my wife also never had this issue. Also my wife addressed my father as Chris so again no problems with proper address. (I called him by his first name Sir).P.D. Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17885909266458802577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733341245051470852.post-29672851500735805202011-04-17T17:02:08.541-04:002011-04-17T17:02:08.541-04:00Yes, both my wife and I have this problem! In fact...Yes, both my wife and I have this problem! In fact, Rosie has studied it in some of her linguistics classes. They've named the practice of "Hi! It's Chris" as "no-naming." People most commonly address their in-laws this way because of the tension.<br /><br />My MIL actually told me what to call her, which I appreciated, but it still feels awkward to me. My parents gave my wife permission to do whatever she wanted, which really wasn't helpful in alleviating the tension of addressing those who were once elders, but aren't now, but still kind of are.<br /><br />We are all for starting a movement of naming for in-laws! What should it be? Title + first name, eg: Dad-Tim? Ideas?ChrisMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10839905574659540822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733341245051470852.post-23562168557279755292011-04-16T22:00:27.961-04:002011-04-16T22:00:27.961-04:00Helen,
I never thought about it until you mentio...Helen, <br /><br />I never thought about it until you mentioned it, but looking back I realize that it was the same with my parents. We've apparently been passing this on for generations, haha! We'll have to vow that we will break this "tradition" with our own sons : )Paula Bolyardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05567777774272590296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733341245051470852.post-39899939654478709212011-04-16T14:56:30.272-04:002011-04-16T14:56:30.272-04:00Well I can honestly say I've never seen anyone...Well I can honestly say I've never seen anyone address this but ALWAYS had the same problem! And I still do! Even though I've been divorced for 13 years, "Jean" or "Mrs. Waters" (???) still considers me family and thus, I face the issue all the time. Both seem akward to me as I too was always taught to call my elders by "Mr" or "Mrs." Complicating it further, I don't think I ever heard my own parents call my grandparents by their names! Oh the things we hand down! Ultimately, my only "solution" has been your own. I call up, when I have to as I hate the telephone, and I say, "Hi, it's Helen" and so it begins again.....Helen Watersnoreply@blogger.com