Parents disagree on being called by their first names
Dear Amy: My wife and I had a spirited discussion concerning whether adult children should call their parents by their first names, or by their titles (such as "Mom" or "Dad").
I was raised to address my elders by their respective titles and so was my wife, but she now feels it's outdated and no longer applicable.
What's your take?
-- Puzzled
Dear Puzzled: Certain things never go out of style: The Parthenon (for instance), Myrna Loy, or the titles "Mom" and "Dad" (or any of their countless affectionate variants).
Are you having this spirited discussion because your adult children have decided to address you by your first names? Are you aware of other adults choosing to do this with their parents?
Your question prompted me to do something I almost never do: I "crowdsourced" it on social media. I posed this question on Twitter (@AskingAmy): "Has it become common for young adults to call their parents by their first name? If you are a parent and your adult child started calling you by your first name, how would you interpret this?"
This question prompted over 200 replies.
When it comes to how children should/do address their parents, no respondent (including me) agrees with your wife's take on this.
Addressing parents by their titles is respectful, appropriate and emotionally intimate.
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