Calling your in-laws mom and dad

[Anonymous]

First names here too (or grandparent names now that we have kids.) 'Mom and Dad' is just far too uncomfortable for me. I do call my grandparents-IL by what DH does. Don't know if that's more comfortable because of being further separation, or because the names are different from what I called my own grandparents.

Though I did find it funny that my DH at one point thought I should call his parents Mom and Dad, even though he has struggled to get past calling my parents Mr & Mrs. (He's good with my Mom, but still uses Mr for my Dad on occasion, which I think is hilarious, seeing as we've only been married for >5 years.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We use first names. The closest I get to calling an IL mom is when I call my FIL a mother-f**ker.

Thanks, you just made we waste half a cup of Starbucks latte, not the mention the coffee stain on my dress.

[Anonymous]

My dad was an orphan, so he called my mom's parents "mom and dad". So when I got married, I started calling my in-laws "mom and pop", just like my husband does. It's easy because it's what I grew up with.

[Anonymous]

My parents want my spouse to call them "Mom" and "dad" but as an only child (and probably a spoiled one at that) I cant even fathom calling my inlaws Mom or dad even though they're great folks and I love them dearly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I call my inlaws by their first names and plan to continue doing so because they are not my mom and dad so why would I call them that?

This is what I do.

Me too. I have a mom and dad that I call "mom" and "dad." It would feel very weird for me to call my husband's parents that. They are great people, and they are family, but to put it simply, they are not my mom and dad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First name basis, as well. More comfortable all the way around. We met as adults, and this is how I address most adults that I become close to.

Understandable, but how many people meet their in-laws as children?

[Anonymous]

I love my in-laws, but I never felt comfortable calling them Mom and Dad. It's a little awkward because I think they hoped I would. But it feels forced, so I stick with first names. (Actually now that DD can talk, I find myself referring to them as "grandma and grandpa" quite a bit . . . . )

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We use first names. The closest I get to calling an IL mom is when I call my FIL a mother-f**ker.

Thanks, you just made we waste half a cup of Starbucks latte, not the mention the coffee stain on my dress.

I agree! VERY funny!

[Anonymous]

I call my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law Mom and Dad. I might not have done this a few years ago, but both of my parents are dead and I like having someone to call Mom and Dad to. MIL and FIL are not the least bit like my mom and dad, but they always treat me well and are very loving.

[Anonymous]

I call my in-laws aunt and uncle... Its an indian thing.

[Anonymous]

Both my parents and stepparents always called their inlaws (my grandparents) mom and dad. It's weird, my mom and dad have been divorced for over 30 years now but she still refers to my paternal grandmother as "mom" when she sees her. I call my in-laws by their first name because they stressed to me that I should when I was just dating their son. I think those who used "Mr. and Mrs" before the marriage or didn't call them anything probably transition to mom and dad after the marriage. My husband calls my parents by their first name, although I bet they'd love it if he called them mom / dad, but they'd never force it. He does call my grandma "gram," but then again, everyone in the world calls her that. I think it is a very nice tradition but one that's losing traction. Even though I don't personally do it, I am glad to hear that many others are. I do love my inlaws almost like parents, so maybe someday I'll make the switch.