Respect

Hubby and I grew up in different environments. Shocking, huh?

I called my parents' friends by their last names. They were Mrs. Brown and Mr. Smith (not their real last names but you get the idea). I'm an adult now, and I still refer to them in that manner.

Hubby grew up calling adults John and Sue.

You never would guess he was the one who was raised in a small town in southern Illinois while I was from the Chicago suburbs. Southern formalities apparently weren't their thing.

The Bear is getting old enough now that we're having to figure out how he should refer to people. While he hasn't mastered all words, he is repeating us more often than not. He has names for us and the Puppy. It won't be long until full sentences are flying out of his mouth.

I feel uncomfortable having him call his friends' parents or church friends by their first names. I still can't call my friends' parents by their first names! It doesn't offend me when I'm called by my first name by a kid. I just prefer to show respect and be in my proper place. I know Hubby thinks it's weird and would be just fine having his 2 year old call a grown up Allison.

I''m trying to reach a happy medium for us. I've been calling adults Mrs. Jessica which seems to work. I can't figure out if I'm THAT old fashioned or if I just have some amazing manners.