Neighbor kid calls me by my first name — rude?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 9-year-old neighbor who comes over to play with my kids sometimes. He’s very polite otherwise, but he always calls me “Sarah,” not “Miss Sarah” or “Mrs. [Last Name].”
I was raised to address adults with a title, especially if they’re not family. I haven’t said anything, but it bugs me a little every time. Is this just a generational thing, or should I gently correct him? What’s the etiquette these days?

You should be called what you want to be called, so if you want to be called Miss Sarah, then tell him. I would not expect a child to know that, though.

The default in our circle is the same as when I was a child, which is using first names for everyone, except for those who are much older or teachers or other leaders-- or those who made it clear that they were "Miss Sarah" or "Mrs. Smith" when introducing themselves. So I called many adults just "Sarah" as a child, unless they were clear that they wanted to be addressed as something else. My kids do the same thing.

So overall, just tell him what you want to be called--but don't expect him to magically know what you want.

[Anonymous]

When I turned 50, my elementary school principal urged me to call him by his first name. It's very, very hard!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 9-year-old neighbor who comes over to play with my kids sometimes. He’s very polite otherwise, but he always calls me “Sarah,” not “Miss Sarah” or “Mrs. [Last Name].”
I was raised to address adults with a title, especially if they’re not family. I haven’t said anything, but it bugs me a little every time. Is this just a generational thing, or should I gently correct him? What’s the etiquette these days?

Yes, it’s rude. I’ve seen kids call their own parents by their first name. Its attention getting on the parents part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it is rude. Feel free to correct child.
Funny enough, the boomers across the street instructed my child to call them by their first names. My child struggled with this, as it is considered rude, but did it at their request.
Boomers

OK, Cameron.

[Anonymous]

Not rude. The world is a lot more casual now. Also this is one of those “small problems” that I work very hard to let roll off my back.

[Anonymous]

I see going by first names with kids is an old people thing, baby boomers. They try to be hip. But they are just old.