Does your way of calling your partner change after getting a child?

Philippines
April 16, 2007 1:28pm CST
Honey, darling, sweetheart, baby, love... are some of those terms couples fondly call each other, especially during the early stage of their relationship. But do these things seem to disappear when they get a child? :P My mom and dad used to call each other "mahal" (love) when they were yet boyfriend and girlfriend. But when my mom gave birth to me, she said they (my mom and dad) decided to change the way they call each other from "mahal"(love) to papa (dad) and mama (mom). According to them that is for me to imitate and call them the papa and mama. And they make sense, I believe. How about you, do you think it is but helpful to your kids if you change the way you and your partner call each other to something which you wanted your kids to call you as well? like mom and dad? or you don't care at all and go on with your "honey" "love" etc? or do you simply call each other with your first names, regardless if you already have a child or not? do share your thoughts. :P
2 people like this
15 responses
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
16 Apr 07
After children it becomes tradition to call each other Mom and Dad. I think it is surprising at how many do no longer call each other by their first names when children are in the room. Our children are all grown up. This is second marriage for both of us. My husband has three I have one. When we're here alone I always call my husband by his first name and yet when his kids come to visit I also say Dad. This is an interesting thread you started.
• Philippines
16 Apr 07
I guess it just shows how parents' hearts would jump for joy when they hear their children call them mom or dad. :)
• Canada
17 Apr 07
Yes that's right. I look at it as a respect thing also. Parents need respect too! Thanks for responding
1 person likes this
• Kottayam, India
17 Apr 07
When we were young calling is different, then when children came it being changed life is like that !
1 person likes this
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
17 Apr 07
Though I haven't had any child yet, me and my girlfriend's terms of endearment seem to fade away? LoL I think it really is more appropriate for kids to learn from their parents, and I guess calling each other by "papa and mama" is a good start. As they say most of the times, children tend to imitate what they see and here from their parents, elders and people around them. I guess parents can still call each other by their usual name-callings when they are alone, and that no other people(like their kids) are around.
• United States
16 Apr 07
I find myself calling my husband "daddy" sometimes in front of my little one. I guess it's for him to identify the word with my husband. I try not to use it too much though cos' I still like calling my husband darling, sweetheart, etc.
1 person likes this
@aprilgrl (4460)
• United States
17 Apr 07
No, nothing has changed after our baby was born. I still call him honey and he calls me beaver (I don't know why he calls me that and I don't look like one)
1 person likes this
• Ireland
16 Apr 07
I have always called my wife by the shortened version of her full name whenever we are in the company of friends. Whenever we are out of the company of friends, I usually call her "pet". I never changed to calling her anything else even after my children were born.
1 person likes this
@MySpot (2600)
• United States
17 Apr 07
My hubby and I have called eachother Babe since we started dating in 1989... of course, we added Momma, Mommy, Daddy and Poppa to our terms of endearment. We also have terms of endearment and nicknames for the kids ; )
@lafavorito (2959)
• Philippines
17 Apr 07
No it didn't. We always call each other "Honey" or "Hon" when we were still dating and until now that we have a 2 year old son. Though sometimes when we want to tease each other, we call each other "panget" (ugly) and then laugh about it.
• Canada
17 Apr 07
My husband and I never changed how we spoke to each other when we had our children . The only difference is that we added to what we say . I often call my husband daddy for the benefit of the children and he calls me mommy for the benefit of the children but he still calls me by my name or by any pet names we have for each otehr also . The children know at an early age that if you say honey to one of them or honey to the person you are married to , who is being spoke to just in the way you say it or the tone of your voice . I often call my husband honey but I also say this to my children and there has never been a problem with them trying to understand who I was talking to . I guess it would have to do with each family and what they feel comfortable with and what there fears might be . When others come to visit they call you by your given name or some nickname you have inherited over the years and yet children don't pick up on that name to call you when they need you for something so it is no different when you have a name for your spouse .
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
17 Apr 07
Its funny how you say that because its happened to us! I use to call my husband hubby, or honey, babe, darling.. but these days we call each other "Mum" and "Dad". Now and then we refer to each other as "hon" but most of the time I call him "Dad" and he calls me "Mum". I must be getting old aye? haha
@thefuture (1749)
• Nigeria
17 Apr 07
My way of calling my partner will not change, even when we're married, because it shows how honest both of you are and how you both love each each. If the way one call his/her partner change, then I think love doesn't really exist between them.
@nanayangel (7879)
• Philippines
17 Apr 07
No, our way of calling each other didn't change at all even after our baby was born. When we were dating, we call each other "mahal" just like your parents. When we lived together, we call each other "mahal" still. Also when I gave birth to our son. We didn't change it at all. Our child calls us "nanay" and "tatay". I just find Tagalog words really endearing and sweet. Our themesong is also a Tagalog song.
• China
17 Apr 07
I don't have a girlfriend now.But sometimes I think that if I will have a girlfriend in the future,I'make her the happiness girl in the world.After read this article,I think that I should call her "darling" all the time!~
@laila675 (528)
• United Arab Emirates
17 Apr 07
i'm married but don't kids yet, and from the beginning we call each other same with your parents "Mahal" (love) but when we fight we call each others name... but if we get kids (soon) i want to change it to Da and Ma, for the benefit of the baby, like what your parents said for the kid to imitate their calls to their parents. But i guess calling each other like honey, darling etc... it only sounds sweet but it really doesn't matter at all.
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
17 Apr 07
hi rogen,Yes i do know what you mean,I hear that a lot.I have some friends that call each other mama and daddy...I suppose it starts when they have kids,because they talk to their children and address the wife as Mama and the woman addresses the husband as daddy...I always continued to call my husband sweet names like honey,sweetie, baby,.........but when the kids would come to me and ask a question i would always say "ask daddy, and he always said ask Moma...But when we talked to each other it was still the sweet names....This couple I know,their children are all grown and they address each other as daddy and moma all the time..