How Do Kids Address You? How Do Your Kids Address Adults?

This has been an issue that I have struggled with since before my kids were born.  I am old school and feel that children should address adults by saying Mr. and Mrs.  I always did that and I still want to address many elders like that as well.  I feel that it is a respect issue and your elders deserve that.

Nowadays kids address their elders by using their first names.  I am having a hard time with that. I know that sometimes parents say to their own kids that they should address adults by using Mr. or Mrs. (unless told otherwise) if they don’t know them.  But once they see that the parents are friends the kids can address those adults by their first name.

I am kind of okay with this – after all my kids address elders using their first names.  But I wonder about when they are older.  I am not the kids friends.  I am their parents friends.  Even though we have a fun, casual relationship they still need to have respect.

I know I know.  It does not matter what you are called – only what they say and how they think.  But if someone calls you “stinky poo” and they have respect for you – is that okay?  I say “NO”.  How they are addressing you is not respectful.

Okay – I really want your feedback.  What do you think of this issue?  Tell me your thoughts and opinions!

Brooke has been a part of the WAHI family since March 2009 writing articles for the WAHM Wisdom section. She has had her own business since 1997, – Cataluña – web sites redesigned from scratch. She also creates web sites, e-newsletters, blogs, e-commerce sites etc. as well as print collateral including logos.