• toynbee@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    22
    ·
    2 days ago

    My 5 year old has recently started trying out various different titles. I’ve been (by their choice) Dad, Daddy, Dada, Papa, Mister, and probably a few more including (occasionally) my actual first name. I do like “Dada” because I remember when it was their only word and it was used to express excitement at my presence, but I don’t mind any of them because whatever they call me, they’re calling me with love. As long as I can tell that they’re referring to me, I’ll always respond. I agree with you, though; I certainly don’t want the relationship depicted in the original picture.

    They sometimes called their mother “Maker,” which is kind of an interesting choice IMHO, but the mother has pretty much the same attitude about it that I do. I call the kid “Little Bean” sometimes and plan to continue doing so no matter how big they get. Also, as a related side note, I got a lot of mileage out of all the bean memes on Lemmy back when that was the thing.

    • jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      14
      ·
      2 days ago

      Our oldest, who is almost 17, calls me by my first name. Although I have heard her refer to me as “dad” when she thinks I’m not in earshot. When I adopted her, I promised she would never have to call me “dad” unless she wanted to.

      We’ve since turned it into a running joke where when anyone asks why she calls me by my first name, she’ll tell them she did something so bad that she was never allowed to call me dad again as punishment.

      • toynbee@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        edit-2
        2 days ago

        They actually do hold it in reserve! They mainly use it when instructed to do something they don’t want to, like cleaning up.

        “Please pick up the mess you made before getting out any more toys.”

        robotic voice “Yes, Maker. Cleaning up.”

        They’re a great kid with a lot of personality.

        edit: Line breaks. I always get those wrong.

      • toynbee@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        2 days ago

        It is pretty cute. They only started doing it recently, so I’m not sure where they got it.

        It makes me think of Dresden Files, wherein the protagonist lives with a cat named “Mister.”