First Name Or Last Name

[AcornMama]

I'm enrolling my first two clients, and one of the moms specifically asked me if I prefer to be MissFirstname or Mrs.Lastname.

First, I thought it thoughtful of her to ask me what I prefer.

Second, I am specializing in preschool care and providing structured preschool activities. So, I was thinking of going with Mrs.Lastname, as that's what children will be calling their Kindergarten teachers anyway. But then, I understand that this is a smaller, homey atmosphere, so MissFirstname could also make sense.

Third, I over-think EVERYTHING!

Any advice? Any reason why one is better than the other?

FWIW, I told the mom I'd prefer Mrs.Lastname and gave her the above reason, but I could always change that.

[daycarediva]

I allow the kids to call me what THEY are comfortable with. Some just call me by my first name, some call me Mrs. Lastname, some call me Miss. Firstname. I'm really not too picky about it, although the shortened version of my first name is a BIG pet peeve of mine and that's the ONLY time I correct a child.

[spinnymarie]

All my kids just call me by my first name. Mrs. Lasname is nice, but IMO not really developmentally appropriate, or necessary. WHen I was a preschool teacher in the classroom I also had children call my by my first name - no Ms/Miss. But that's just me.

[blandino]

They all call me Ms. Firstname. My name is a little hard to pronounce so we get lots of version of it, but all call me that.

[Unregistered]

I think either one of those is fine, But it should be one of them. It shows them respect for their elders and it's just good manners that they should get into the habit of doing. Old School maybe but the world was a lot better place when it was old school!

When they get to school they will not be allowed to address their teacher with, "Monica, I need to go potty". She is not their peer. She is an elder and a person of authority.

[butterfly]

I help out with a local preschool and they do Mrs. Firstname. I think it's easier for the little ones to say the first names, than a long last name.

Now at the elementary school, they say Mrs. A (first letter of last name), because they have a longer hard name to pronounce.

[lovemylife]

My kids just call me by my first name or miss first name. My last name is to hard for the younger children

[Blackcat31]

My kiddos all call me Miss (first name) as well as most parents when speaking about me to their child.

Personally, I'd go with whatever is comfortable for the kids.

[Familycare71]

I am either just "first name" or Miss. "Firstname". I personally don't want to be called Mrs. "Last name". I am at an early stage in their lives and I don't want the formality the last name implies (to me).
Probably stems from adults I knew well and had a close relationship were all first names for me growing up. Plus Mrs. "Last name" makes me feel OLD!::

[Leigh]

Mine usually just call me Mommy or Grandma!:: But, when they do use my name, it's my first name.

[Brooksie]

My kids call me 'Miss Firstname'. I think its more appropriate for the homey atmosphere but I do correct them if they just call me 'firstname' for the sake of promoting good manners.

[sharlan]

My kids call me by my first name or Grandma (since 3 are my grandkids).

I have one little girl who calls me S*****, Mom, or Grandma. I answer to all 3.

[Cradle2crayons]

My parents and kids call me miss Lynn. Even though its really mrs. I don't make a deal about it.

My friends call me Lynnie

[AcornMama]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

[Starburst]

As a previous poster mentioned, if you are doing preschool I personally would prefer to go by miss first name because some see it as more of a sign of respect rather than just first name. I just started student teaching at a presbretarian preschool and the teacher goes by ms first name, but I worked at a home daycare before where they just called adults by their first name unless their parents told them other wise (one girl called the owner Miss first name). I think ms first name doesn't sound as intimidating to younger children as ms/mrs last name. It also depends on what your name is.

If your last name is something long like Werbenjagermanjensen but your first name is Jenny, it might be better to go by Ms. Jenny. If your first name is something hard to pronounce for little kids like Aurora but your last name is Jones, then Ms. Jones might be easier. If you do have a more common first name it might also be more beneficial to go by Ms. Last Name because it may be confusing for the other students, if one of your students has the same first name or a name very similar to yours, even if you go by Ms. EX: If your name is Isabel and one of your students is named Isabella. But at the same time if you are currently not married and/or otherwise plan on changing your last name in the future (marriage/divorce/just because), it may be more difficult to get the kids to start calling you Ms. New Last name.

Plus, as you mentioned since you will be doing preschool and are preparing them for kindergarten they will most likely address their teachers as miss/ms/mrs or mister. But in some kindergarten classes they still go by Ms/Mr first name. There was also a similar thread to this on the P.I.T. group forum.