Friday, March 2, 2012

Don't Call Me Grandma!

In May, I will be 45 years old. And in September, I will become a (gulp) grandmother. I seem entirely too young for this, no?

And it's not even my almost 20 year-old army medic that is making me a grandmother.

Oh no...it's my 17 year-old high school junior.

Yep.

I am a big believer in information. She and her boyfriend had been together quite a long time, in teenage time. At some point, you know they're having sex, and all you can do is make sure that they have as much information as possible. You know, like beating your daughter over the head with a box of condoms.

Even so, teenagers don't always think, and don't always make the best decisions.

We talked extensively about her options.

For her, abortion was out of the question. I respect that choice.

I talked to her at length about adoption.
She said she didn't think she could do it.

So, it appears that in early September, we will be having a baby.
She is 14 weeks along today.

My baby is having a baby.

Stunned, is what I am.

So, here's my main, pressing problem. I don't want to be called grandma.
It sounds old.
I have a nine year-old, for Pete's sake.
Mimi is taken...that's what my kids call my mom.
Mimi was a variation of Grammy, so that's out too.
Not liking Nana.
My daughter suggested "Gram Cracker". She's such a comedian.

So what do you have your daughter's child call you when you are adamently opposed to Grandma?

15 comments:

Lucy-Fur, as typed by Dr. Liz said...

Big Momma? ;-) Um, I have no kids, my brother's kids call my parents Granny and Grandpa Marshall, but call his wife's parents by their first names - which startles me. However, since I am killing time at work today, I found this site... Maybe you can find something that works for you... http://www.banananana.com/ReadNames.asp I kinda like Gram Cracker, actually! ;-) So, uh, congratulations?

-Dr. Liz (and not Fiona the dog, who has been spayed, and doesn't have any boyfriends anyway)

middle child said...

I was a Grandma at 42 and delighted as hell! Daughter had been married awhile and finally....
Everyone called me grandma until the kids came up with granny. I love it!
But others are called Nana, Mum-Mum, etc.

Sadie said...

One of my childhood friends called her grandparents Me-Ma and Pe-Pa.

Wishing you and your daughter well.

Shelley said...

Wow, that's quite a shock, I'm sure to everyone involved. Kudos for handling it so well. As for the name, I don't have any great suggestions but completely understand not wanting that moniker at your age.

Carole said...

Best of luck. You might like this poem about mothers. http://caroleschatter.blogspot.co.nz/2011/12/random-quotation-spot.html

Dawn in D.C. said...

Shelly!! Well, I am a brand new grandma, times 2, at the ripe old age of 46. I was a teenage mom, too, but wasn't living at home, so didn't have my mom near as I would have liked.

I am Nana. I hope, because it's kinda up to them. There are a couple good websites that help you pick out your special new name.

Best wishes for all of you!!

Anonymous said...

I just now checked in on your blog! First off, HUGS to you! Wow! I am speechless, but I guess what's done is done...

As for the name. My kids call all their grandmas...Grandma.

A friend at work, her kids (and grandkids) call her mom Gigi.

Love you, my friend! Lishy!

Anonymous said...

BTW, my mom had me at 17 too, and I turned out just fine. *tic*tic* ;)

I was born when my grandma was 37. Paige was born when my mom was 37. I turned 38 in November...YES! I broke the curse! ;)

Mary~Momathon said...

First off, every baby should be welcomed with a big happy Congratulations, so "Congratulations!". Best wishes to the whole family and the baby too.

As for the name, I'm going with "Grandma" and it feels odd and uncomfortable, but maybe I'll grow into the name someday. Everything else sounds so weird and like I'm in denial, which is worse than the word Grandma (to me). Eh, I'm Grandma. But I don't look like an old lady and I won't be old for 20 - 30 more years. I'm redefining "Grandma".

Jen said...

I was just updating my blog and saw that you updated yours a few weeks ago.

My vote would be for Nana. I am sure you will love whatever he/she calls you.

Anonymous said...

Having recently discovered that my 20 year old college student is due on December 10th, I too am experiencing this dilemma.

Too young?!? I think yes! And my daughter is as well ;).

Just call me Sugar. I have dubbed my husband, Dude.

Both make me smile every time.

Jeannine said...

I am 53 and have seven grandchildren! I, too, felt pretty young (45) when the first one came along. My grandchildren call me GranMom. Sometimes they will make something up all on their own that is quite cute. You might want to wait for that. My youngest grandson calls his other grandmother Ga Ga. I think that is cute too! God bless you all! I'm proud of your daughter for not taking the easy road!

Unknown said...
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Mary~Momathon said...

Thinking of you all. Hope Shannon and her baby are doing well.

Amanda said...

My mom was the same way when she found out i was pregnant. I was 20 she was 38. She didnt want to be called grandma, nana or any of the others. She said none of them felt rite or sounded rite. So after a little thought she decided she wanted to be called gramkracker (yea with a k). Some people look at us wierd when they hear thats what shes called but it works for us. =)