How do you have your children address other adults?

[Anonymous]

Mr. Mrs. Last name for most folks. Mr. Mrs first name for really close friends who are not family. Never just first name.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in NY but live in Arlington. Ms. first name sounds ridiculous to me. We are first name only for family friends but if they go to a friend’s house their parents are addressed by ms. Last name. I don’t correct kids on what I prefer but I prefer just my first name or ms. Last name.

[Anonymous]

Mostly


Ms./mr. First name

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mostly


Ms./mr. First name

Ditto. And I find most adults do not say "oh, they can just call me Firstname." I think most people appreciate the courtesy. I would also be fine with Mr./Ms. Lastname but half the time I don't know their last names myself. It's so casual here (for adults) that for half my neighbors I only know their first names!

[Anonymous]

Miss First Name for teachers, instructors and anyone who works in our home like our cleaning woman. Family friends and my friends get to decide - most want to be called by their first names.

[Anonymous]

Kids should not be addressing any adults by first name only.

[Anonymous]

I think most people find "Miss" whatever to be trite and condescending.

[Anonymous]

For teachers and adults, in general, Mr, Miss (unmarried), Mrs (married) or Ms (either married or unmarried ).

Ms. is definitely the safest option. When in doubt Mr. or Ms.

[Anonymous]

Ms/mr first name.

[Anonymous]

Technically, children are supposed to address adults as Mr., Mrs. or Ms. Lastname. Adults, in response, are supposed to address boys as Master Lastname, the eldest girl as Miss Lastname and any younger sisters as Miss Firstname.

[Anonymous]

Also, you are supposed to introduce yourself and others as Firstname Lastname but I find no one does that anymore.

[Anonymous]

Generally speaking, however they wish to be addressed. But it also depends on context. In school settings, it's normal for teachers/camp counselors/etc to be addressed as Mr./Ms. Firstname. Close family friends are addressed as Uncle/Aunt Firstname. I also tell my kids to always err on the side of formality. If the adult doesn't clearly state how they want to be addressed, then address them as Mr./Ms. Lastname.

[Anonymous]

<No kids but lots of friends with kids and around lots of kids in other settings>
I'm ok with any of the options, really. If my friends are trying to teach their kids (or students or charges) to use a respectful form of address with their kids, I'm not going to undermine.

[Anonymous]

Miss firstname always, every situation
The strange thing I just realized reading this thread is that it’s automatic for me to say oh that’s Miss Jennifer but I rarely say Mister first name. My kids follow suit but we don’t respect men less so I don’t know why I do that.

Half the time the adults are referred to as Charlotte’s dad or they’ll even greet someone “Hi Jayden’s mom!”

[Anonymous]

I don’t allow children to call me by my first name. Why would I? I’m not their pal.

I don’t know why some parents seem to think it’s cute.