OK, listen up here. I have nicknames for my little boys - names like dookie and binky. I have baby songs that I made for each of them. They are little boys.
Now IMAGINE...if you are married to a man and your MIL comes over and starts singing a baby song to her "binky". And feeding him, combing his hair.
Appropriate to do when they're little ones. NOT appropriate when they're adults. Even now, I'm cutting back on these babyish things and we're at the point that they still enjoy when I sing them their little songs but would be absolutely mortified if any of their classmates got wind of them. They are growing up.
Appropriate affection, even if its alot of affection is ok if its age-appropriate. But once again, treating an adult like an infant is a huge turnoff.
Oh C'mon Mamaof3,
I don't think her in-laws call their son pinky, twinky or lala or sing the Teletubbies Song when they see their son. I see a little bit over-exaggeration coming from the OP.
I mean where is the Problem if I go for advise to my parents. They have experience and if - like OP says - he is a succesful man, then this guy owes alot to his parents. A debt he can only pay back by serving his parents to the fullest.
If I had such parents who had made a diamond of me, what would you know in what esteem I'd put them. This why do they hug him and kiss him is chit-chat. With all respect, maybe bored of her own life or never got the attention her Husband receives?