Deb Kastner here. I’m leaving for my very first international adventure to Ireland in about a week and my mind is filled with last-minute details. So I decided for my post today I’d share a little tidbit about my life. I hope you’ll find it humorous. Since it’s National Coffee Day, pour yourself a cup and come visit with me.
There have been several times in my life when I’ve had to consider changing my name. When I walked down the aisle, for one, but I’m thinking specifically of becoming a mother, aunt and grandmother. What were the kids going to call me?
My kids kind of took over the whole Mommy bit on their own. I was Mommy until they were five or six and then it was more like, “Mom, mom, mom, mama, mama, mama, mom-mee, mom-mee!” And it hasn’t let up to this day. But since I am the only one in the household who answered to any and all of the above, it wasn’t too complicated.

My daughter Kimberly with Paris, my first granddoggie.
Then I became a grandparent. Suddenly there’s not one grandmother, but two. And there’s a whole range of nicknames to consider—Grandma, Nana, Noni, Gran, Granny…the list goes on. Sometimes, especially in cultural situations, a person has a very strong preference for a specific nickname. I called my own grandparents “Grandma “Last-Name” and “Grandpa “Last-Name.” That felt too formal to me. I’m a very young grandmother, I assure you, but I nevertheless pictured my many grandchildren hovered around my dining table asking everything from “read me a book,” to dating advice.
Yet as it turned out, becoming a grandmother wasn’t even the deciding factor for me—because my first grandchild was a dog. Yes, you read that right. My middle daughter got a Chihuahua for her sixteenth birthday. I refer to myself as “Mom” to all my dogs, but Kimberly was Paris’s “Mom.” So what was I?
My kids joked around and called me Granny. “I’m nowhere near old enough to be a Granny,” I protested, but alas, the name stuck. I didn’t fight it too hard—after all, it was only a dog, right? But when the grandkiddies came along…you guessed it. I was already called Granny. And so Granny it was. And is.
Let me tell you—I don’t fight it. I own it! I’m one rockin’ Granny.
Cause really, whadda ya gonna do?
Deb Kastner’s next book, Yuletide Baby, will be out mid-November. Make an author’s day and preorder it now!
Love romance books all kinds, love cowboys , vets, doctors, .
Hmmm…Granny. Well, you’re right you do NOT look old enough to be a Granny, but, well, you can’t fight it.
My MIL wanted to be called Honey, but it didn’t really stick. Once my kids got old enough, it became awkward (“I” think).
I haven’t decided what I’d like to be called, but I hope I have a few years yet to decide (though my oldest is 22 now, so it might not be too much longer). I’d love to hear what others are called by their grandchildren.
Blessings and safe travels on your trip. Can I stow away in your luggage? Ireland is one of those places I’d love to go. I’d like to find my roots there. My maiden name is Murphy, and I’ve traced both my dad’s parents back to the same Murphy who immigrated in the 1700’s, though I don’t know his name. Still it’d be fun to go.
You’re in the right place, Agatha! Our authors are all romance writers!
Hi Ginger! You never know about becoming a grandmother–your child might get a dog!! I’m super excited to leave tomorrow for Ireland. My mother’s maiden name is McIntosh, so lots of history there.
I haven’t thought about all the names (titles) that a person carries. Great post. And have a lovely trip to Ireland. I was there a few years ago doing research and loved it beyond words.
Deb….I am more than slightly jealous of your Ireland trip. I have wanted to venture over there for years. I hope at some point you’ll be posting pics. And you are not Granny-ish at all. Nice post.
I’m Grandma to three delightful little girls. And no dogs! I’m not our pets’ “mama” either. Just not something we ever got into.
Have an AWESOME time in Ireland, Deb! I hope we’ll get a trip report next time.
Deb, I enjoyed learning more about you. I debated for months before my granddaughter was born and finally settled on “Gramma..” “Granny” sounded too old. LOL. I love that book cover. The baby Is sooooo cute.