Ask Amy: Siblings can love (but not like) each other
I'm working very hard to maintain a long-distance relationship with these kids. I'd like to be called by MY name. Can you help me figure this out?
— What's In A Name?
Dear What’s: Your name is not “Gee.” That’s the assigned endearment your American grandchildren use. Your European grandchildren are being prompted to refer to you by that name, with the prefix of “Nanny.” Nanny, like “Nana,” translates to “grandmother,” especially in Britain.
Your daughter is asking them to call you “Grandmother Gee,” It’s an honorific. Given that you mainly know these very young children so far via video, I can see why your daughter prompts them in this way. She is making sure they realize that you are their grandmother, just like the grandmother they see regularly in real life.
It is clear that you have a problematic history with this particular daughter, but my advice is that you should not create or inflate a problem where there shouldn’t be one. Must all of your grandchildren address you identically, and only by the name you choose? I hope not.
Dear Amy: “M” asked if you had any advice for aspiring journal keepers.
In my pediatric practice, I’ve noticed that many of my patients experience stress and anxiety, especially during the pandemic.
Writing in a journal has helped me, so to introduce my patients to writing, I made up a short writing exercise, the 3-Minute Mental Makeover (3MMM). I give out journals and write together with my patients using the 3MMM as a guide. My research showed the 3MMM decreases stress for parents, kids, and health practitioners.
To do the 3MMM, write:
One: Three things you are grateful for. Be specific (“My dog when she wags her tail; My dad when he bakes cookies.”)
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