Why do people use the word "kiddo"?

[Anonymous]

The principal at our ES always says "kiddos" but never "kids" or "children" -- I don't get this. Is "kiddos" more PC or better school speak for some reason?

[Anonymous]

I hear it at both of my kids’ schools too OP, always from teachers or admin. Never from other parents. I agree; I think it’s odd.

[Anonymous]

It's just what is comfortable rolling off the tongue.

[Anonymous]

It's an affectionate diminutive.

[Anonymous]

ES Principal here: It’s just something this person likes to use. It’s a personal preference and is one I do not share with your principal, OP.

[Anonymous]

I use kiddo so strangers don’t know if girls or boys im very private. So today my kiddo was acting up but a drive around the lights made everything better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I use kiddo so strangers don’t know if girls or boys im very private. So today my kiddo was acting up but a drive around the lights made everything better.

Seems like “kid” would accomplish the same thing without being cutesy and gross.

[Anonymous]

I really despise the word "kiddo." It sounds insulting to me. But I realize that the problem is my associations with the word, and not the word itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's an affectionate diminutive.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I use kiddo so strangers don’t know if girls or boys im very private. So today my kiddo was acting up but a drive around the lights made everything better.

Seems like “kid” would accomplish the same thing without being cutesy and gross.

It’s what my beloved grandmother called me and my siblings and it makes me happy. Sorry it’s so revolting!

[Anonymous]

My dad, who died of Covid a year and a half ago, called me kiddo all my life. I’d call him and he’d a see with such love and excitement - “hey, kiddo”! I call my teen son kiddo now, because I can feel my dad with us when I do.

But different people have different associations. The word “littles” for kids is like nails on a chalkboard to me. That’s my problem, though. Call the people you love whatever makes you happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I use kiddo so strangers don’t know if girls or boys im very private. So today my kiddo was acting up but a drive around the lights made everything better.

Seems like “kid” would accomplish the same thing without being cutesy and gross.

It’s what my beloved grandmother called me and my siblings and it makes me happy. Sorry it’s so revolting!

OP here. I think it is the context that bothers me with our ES principal. It doesn't help that I generally view her as disingenuous and lacking transparency but when she refers to the children at the school as "kiddos" and her actions indicate she has no genuine affection for them, I feel like she has focus-grouped a word and decided it will serve her purposes. A beloved grandmother saying it is perfect, but not the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The principal at our ES always says "kiddos" but never "kids" or "children" -- I don't get this. Is "kiddos" more PC or better school speak for some reason?

What's to get? It is an affectionate term for kids. "Children" is fine if you are living in the 50s and kids are baby goats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I use kiddo so strangers don’t know if girls or boys im very private. So today my kiddo was acting up but a drive around the lights made everything better.

Seems like “kid” would accomplish the same thing without being cutesy and gross.

It’s what my beloved grandmother called me and my siblings and it makes me happy. Sorry it’s so revolting!

OP here. I think it is the context that bothers me with our ES principal. It doesn't help that I generally view her as disingenuous and lacking transparency but when she refers to the children at the school as "kiddos" and her actions indicate she has no genuine affection for them, I feel like she has focus-grouped a word and decided it will serve her purposes. A beloved grandmother saying it is perfect, but not the principal.

Ok you don't like her so no matter what she said you wouldn't like it. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The principal at our ES always says "kiddos" but never "kids" or "children" -- I don't get this. Is "kiddos" more PC or better school speak for some reason?

What's to get? It is an affectionate term for kids. "Children" is fine if you are living in the 50s and kids are baby goats.

Yes, but it is coming from the principal, not some loved one. I want her to be a responsible, competent, and fair educator, not to fake affection for my children.