Words That Work ... or Don't

Honor Parents, but Do it Right

It’s early June, and we’re bookended by holidays that honor parenthood: Mother’s Day, which was May 9 this year, and upcoming Father’s Day, which falls on June 20.  

Some people, wanting to show respect for parents, always capitalize any form of mom or dad. Here are four examples, but only two are grammatically correct:

My Mom went shopping. (incorrect)

Tell Mom about the surprise. 

I have the best Dad in the world. (incorrect)

Is Dad coming to pick us up?

Regardless of our desire to demonstrate that we respect and cherish our parents, there are times to capitalize and times to use lower case. Here is a simple guideline to help you choose:

If a parent’s name could logically be substituted for mom or dad in your phrasing, use capitals. If not, use lower case.

For example:
“I told my mom that I would be home by midnight.”

“I told Mom that I would be home by midnight.”

In the first example, you would not say, “I told my Helen that I would be home by midnight.”

In the second example, “Mom” could be replaced by your mother’s name: “I told Helen that I would be home by midnight.”

Another example:
“Is our dad going to coach the soccer team?”

“Is Dad going to coach the soccer team?”

Again, in the first example, it is unlikely that you would say, “Is our Frank going to coach the soccer team?” However, you could say, “Is Frank going to coach the soccer team?”

In thanking your parents directly for their love and guidance, use caps: “Thanks, Mom and Dad, for all you have done for me.” Expressing gratitude to your mom and dad (no caps) is a message that is always appropriate and appreciated, regardless of the time of year.

Ruthless Editor follows The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law guidelines for word and punctuation usage. Webster's New World College Dictionary serves as a secondary reference.

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