Grandparents
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14172
Printed Date: 21 August 2025 at 2:05am
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Topic: Grandparents
Posted By: kiwikid
Subject: Grandparents
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 4:51am
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Just wondering what everyones thoughts are on names for the Grandparents. My Mum and Dad have already 'reserved' Grandma and Grandad lol, but the In Laws havent brought this up, I'm guessing Nana and Poppa would work best and less confusing. But if they want to be called Grandma and Grandad too surely that might get confusing in years to come for the little people??? ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: sparkle
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 6:26am
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My mum and Dad had already been grandparents for 11 years when our bubba decided to come along, so they were already named. SO you'd think that the inlaws would go with something else................but no! They are also Grandma and Grandad!
DH and my Grandma's are still here too, so in all Cooper has 4 Grandmas! Try and convince them to go with Nana and Poppa!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 6:49am
| Jake has Nana (my nana), Nana (dh's nana), Nana (mum) and Nana *DH's mum). he sorts them out himself. |
Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 7:29am
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my mum is really fuzzy about this (poor MIL!!!) she wants to be nana as she thinks grandma sounds too old so my parents will be Nana and Grandad and inlaws can be what they want I dont mind as it could be Nana Jill and Nana Chris (but my mum wont like that!!!! she exclusively wants to be called Nana) talk about annoying! ------------- http://lilypie.com">    [/url]
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Posted By: CuriousG
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 7:50am
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My Mum insisted she wanted to be called Nanny which we did but DH's mum wanted to be Nana. Problem we have now is that DD spent a lot of time with Nanny while younger and now calls 'Nana' Nanny. I keep correcting it but its not changing in a hurry!
Both Grandfathers are Grandad. She doesn't see one of them very often so its not too bad. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 8:07am
My mum was happy to be grandma and B's parents claimed Nan and Poppa.  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Millie1976
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 8:21am
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My parents get called "Oma" and "Opa" (Dutch) and my hubby's parents get called Nana and Poppa. Seems to work out. ------------- Sebastien 2 years old Olivier 3 3/4 years old |
Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 8:22am
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My then 3 yr old sorted out what his grandparents would be called. One day he was with Nana (DH's mum) and told her that she was Nana Jos (her name) and the other Nana (my mum) was Nana Red (cos she has a red car!) so that has stayed like that. Then he started calling Poppa (DH's step-dad), Cheif, as that's the name Poppa would call Rico, so he became Poppa Cheif. And my dad is still just Poppa. Then Dh's real dad over in Oz whose Maori, is Koro.
My Nana made up her named that her great-grandchildren could call her - Granna. Made up from Great-Nana. I think it's cute! But once again, my Poppa is the great-grandchildren's Poppa too. Eventually the children do suss them out  . ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Mama2two
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 8:27am
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My Dad is Grandpa and my MIL/FIL are Grandma and Poppa. I don't know why my MIL had to be difficult on that front, but since she is the only Grandma it doesn't really matter. (she said Nanna makes her feel old - well hello, you have 7 grandkids!!!)
My Grandma is still alive and is Great Grandma Peggy to the kids. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: daikini
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 8:57am
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Both sides had already "claimed" something by the time Nat and I got married - my parents were Nanma and Poppa, and my inlaws already had 2 grandkids, and were Gran and Grandad, so that was fine.
Growing up, I had 3 Nana's, 1 Grandad, 3 Poppas, and 2 great-grandmothers. We just used first names to distinguish them except for the great grandmothers - they were Great-Nan and Great-Grandma. It works out in the end. ------------- Becca, mum of 2 girls & 3 boys |
Posted By: The_Stuarts
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 9:05am
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I had two Grandma's and don't remember getting confused. We knew them by their surnames too Grandma Knighton and Grandma Hounsell so there was never any confusion who we were off to visit.
My mum likes to be called grandmother (it sounds so cute when a toddler finally figures out how to say it) and my mother-in-law is Nana (although Michaela calls her 'danda') but if they both wanted to be called the same that would be fine too, in a way having the same title means they have the same level of respect (that's the wrong word but I'm sure you get the gyst). ------------- http://lilypie.com">   http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 9:19am
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In laws are Grandma and Grandad- they already have grandchildren and thats what they call them so we just stuck with that. My parents are Grammy and Poppa- both of them Charlotte came up with herself! My grandmother is the only 'great' left and she is Great Gram. ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 9:30am
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My parents were already Nan and Kenny (my dad is funny about things like that!). And so DHs parents got to choose - they are gran and grandad. Han also has 2 Nanny's (both of ours) and they are just distinguished by their surname. ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 9:54am
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Keira has 13 Grandparents (4 grandparents, 8 great grandparents and 1 Great Great Grandparent) Somehow they all have different names, except for 2 Nana's (one of which she has only seen a few times and calls her daddy's nanna)
My mum really didnt think she was old enough to be a nana or grandma so came up with 'Granna'. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: AliaDawn
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 10:33am
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My mum is a little odd and wants to be called Granny... Just to be different I think Lol. MIL is going with Nana and Grandad and her mother is already Nana... Nana and Grandad are my grandparents too. I think my Dad/his parents are going with (great) Grandad/Grandma I don't know them so well though.
We had 3 nana's when we were kids, my maternal grandmother, my stepdad's mum, and my maternal (x2) great grandmother... We just called them Nana Edlin, Nana Arnold (their last names) and Nana Wana (no not her last name - blame 4 year old me... no one knows where it came from) but that last one died out a few years ago My cousins call her Nana Jean (her first name)-------------  
 
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Posted By: BabyOnBoard
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 10:41am
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My mum is Granny, she thinks she can be a young vibrant Granny and suits the name well. My dad is Poppa. . Arabella has seen her Paternal grandparents 3 times (due to their lack of effort) and want to be Noona and Grandpa. . So I tell her its Nana and Grandpa.
My friend has two Nannys and when she is talking about them it's Nanny "smith" and Nanny "Jones" and that seems to work well ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: J&Ls mum
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 11:34am
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We are going to try and convince our parents to choose different names but friends of ours both the mums are called nana so the kids call them Nana Blogs and Nana Doe (for example) ------------- J - born 26th April 2008 and L - born 3rd Sept 2010 http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: MonicaMouse
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 11:35am
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DH's parents were already Nana and Grandad to DH's 16 1/2 year old, as well as his neice. (dh's not his sons). I grew up knowing 4 grandparents, and then met my mothers father at 13, and all 5 of them had their own names. Before Blair was born I asked my Mum and Dad what they wanted to be called, my mother thought that Blair could decide what to call her himself, but I wanted a name that I could call her when he was around. She got called 'Nanny Lyn' by some kids who use to live across the road, so we are still kinda fluctuating between that and Grandma.
My Dad and my sisters decided that Dad was also a Grandad, and because his father is still alive, Blair has 3 Grandads, so we will have to figure out a more clear cut way on telling them apart. My Gran will stay as a Gran, and my Nana will more than likely become a Granna as well (I refered to her as Granna once when we took our pets to visit my Mum). Complete side note, both my sisters have requested not to be 'Auntie J' and 'Auntie M' they just want to be refered to as J or M, and we are calling my Fathers partner Auntie T as she is not much older than me. ------------- 
Blair 15/10/2007 Daniel 30/07/2009 |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 11:40am
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Both sets got to choose so my parents are Nana and Grandad and DH's parents are Gran and Opa (dutch as well here). My boys also have great nana (my nana) who is alos sometimes referred to as little nana. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 12:01pm
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My parents started out as Grandma and Grandad but are now "Ninny" and "Neema" coz that's what Maya came up with when she was learning to talk and it stuck. The gremlins will no doubt call them that too. Maya calls my grandparents Great Ninny and Great Neema (and my grandma reckons he really is a Great Ninny lol!).
Growing up we had Nana and Grandad and Grandma and Grandad and we differentiated between the two Grandads by calling them Nana's Grandad and Grandma's Grandad. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 12:02pm
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Oh and both of Willie's parents have passed on, but they were nana and poppa to the other grandkids so when we visit the urupa we call them nana and poppa. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 12:13pm
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Both sets of grandparents were already named by previous grandkid. My mum is Nana-Whaia, and my step-dad is Poppa Lionel. My MIL is Nana-Cole and FIL is Grandad. DH's grandmother is Nana-Nana! ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 12:26pm
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Bubs will be #11 for my side of the family, so "Pa" is reserved. My mother was Gran - her mother is also Gran but is known as "SuperGran". As for the in-laws (#1 for them) - I think they're still getting over the fact they're old enough to be grandparents, so we haven't even broached that one! ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 12:32pm
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I think kids figure out what they want to call them anyway, but as both sides of our family already had grnadchildren, we didnt get a say in it obviously! My mum and step-dad are Nana / Grandad and my DHs parents are Nonna / Poppa. I have still got my grandparents who are Nanny / Grandad to me, but to their great grandchildren they are Granny / Poppa (so thats a bit confusing).....DH still has a Nan too....but shes just Nan to everyone, so thats easy! My mums best friend is called YaYa by her grandchildren, and we have another family friend who is called Gem by her grandchildren.. so they do figure it out themselves!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: rosewood
Date Posted: 05 February 2008 at 10:24am
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Both my parents and DH parents have always been called Nanna and Granddad by my DD and se hasn't had any problems with confusion.
We were going to call them by different names nanna & grandma etc but it turned out the DH and I were the ones getting more confused what they were all called
Since my FIL passed away in November my DD has started to call her other Granddad by the name of "Grandad Dave". So like Simsam says they decide themselves in the end. ------------- Gill http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: arohanui
Date Posted: 05 February 2008 at 10:31am
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I grew up with 2 grandma's and 2 grandads, and it never caused any confusion. If we were talking about going visiting or something, distinguishing between the 2, it would be Grandma Joy. But then when we were there with them, it was just Grandma.. so still really personal.
Harrison has a Poppa and Grandma (they were already named) and a Granny and Grandad. Then he also has 2 great-grandma's (just called Grandma though) and a great-great-grandma (also called Grandma!) and a great-nana. All the grandma's will be the same as it is for me, just distinguished by their first name when need be. Now I've written grandma so many times it doesn't look right  ------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 05 February 2008 at 10:51am
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I forgot my boys also have a Ma, that is my friends mum and she is known by that to her grandchildren so it is easier for my boys to do the same. When Andrew talks about her and says Ma he is asked who is Ma and he replies Holly's Ma. Daycare are finally realising that Andrew and Holly know each other out of preschool and do a lot together. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: BessieBear
Date Posted: 05 February 2008 at 12:16pm
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hmm well this is the first grandchild on both sides of them extended family. Inlaws have claimed grandma and grandad. so my mum had always thought she'd be grannie but my sisters started calling my dad poppy so she's going with nanny. i have a grannie and grandpa still alive and a Oma who our family doesn't talk to and Dh side he just has a gran and grandad left so it seems it's all sorted. ------------- Sarah Mum to, Boy 07/2008, Girl 03/2010, Boy 05/2012, Angel 07/08/2014
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 05 February 2008 at 1:45pm
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My mum is Jen-Jen - she refused to be called Grandma. haha. My step-Dad is just Mark or Cous cous if we are being cheeky (Mum calls him Cus [pronounced 'Cous'] as a shortened form of Marcus)
Dad is Grandad and his partner is just Carolyn. Luckily we didn't have any dilemmas past that as Han's paternal grandparents are unknown. |
Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 05 February 2008 at 2:15pm
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My mum is Oma, DH's parents are Grandma and Grandad and his grandma is now granny to DD. I don't think I would have minded if there were any double ups. My dad and his wife were already called poppy and nan by my step-sister's kids, but they wanted to be called poppy T and nan T (first letter of their last name) for my kids to distinguish, which I think is actually pretty unnecessary and pointless, especially since we are in different countries, but it's their choice! ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 05 February 2008 at 2:19pm
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When i was growing up (and still i guess) I had my maternal gran , who I chose to call Jess, which is what all the grandkids call her, and my paternal gran, who was just Grandma,(both grandfathers died well before i was even thought of)
Caitlyn has nana sue (my mum) Nana Bridget (her dads mum) Nana Linda (her stepmum's mum) and Poppa (my dad) and Grand dad Alan (her stepmums dad), her paternal grandfather decided to get drunk and go fishing back when her dad was 15 so hes ,surprisingly, no longer around to worry about a title... |