Can we ban “kiddo?”

[Anonymous]

I occasionally call my eldest, now almost 14, kiddo. It’s just one of the nicknames I use for her. I never use it with other kids including my own. I’ve never thought it was a bothersome term. I agree it sounds less offensive than littles, which I only have used when referring to my younger 2 kids as a unit to differentiate them from the other.

[Anonymous]

I also hate the word kid. Can we add that to the banned list?

[Anonymous]

It drives me nuts that these are terms only women use, and that this manner of speaking is very transparently something women do to appear cute/non-threatening/charming.

I know some of you are going to say "that's not why I do it, I just like it," but it's baby talk and women use baby talk intentionally to make themselves appear helpless and cute. It is really grating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I occasionally call my eldest, now almost 14, kiddo. It’s just one of the nicknames I use for her. I never use it with other kids including my own. I’ve never thought it was a bothersome term. I agree it sounds less offensive than littles, which I only have used when referring to my younger 2 kids as a unit to differentiate them from the other.

It’s fine to say “hey, kiddo” to one of your kids in real life, but to write it out in a post? NO

[Anonymous]

Buddy. Ugh…why do people say this?!

[Anonymous]

I love "littles"

It's so much easier than saying "the two younger ones"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love "littles"

It's so much easier than saying "the two younger ones"

Just know you sound ridiculous when you say it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So agree with you OP. I especially hate it when teachers or school administrators say it. Can we communicate like adults please?

I mean I spend all my time with my little kids so I think it’s kind of unfair to expect me to sing Five Little Ducks 50 times in one day and then be mad if I don’t communicate “like an adult.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also hate the word kid. Can we add that to the banned list?

No, kid is too commonly used and is no longer an affectation. I don't love it either and generally use "child" or "daughter" or "son". But when someone says kid, it's not like they are affecting a childish tone on purpose to look cute. They are just using the default word.

Kiddo, littles, hubby, hubs, LO, etc. -- these are affectations. It's a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I occasionally call my eldest, now almost 14, kiddo. It’s just one of the nicknames I use for her. I never use it with other kids including my own. I’ve never thought it was a bothersome term. I agree it sounds less offensive than littles, which I only have used when referring to my younger 2 kids as a unit to differentiate them from the other.

It’s fine to say “hey, kiddo” to one of your kids in real life, but to write it out in a post? NO

Agreed. This is also specifically why I find "little" more annoying, though. Because while I can see calling your kid "kiddo" sometimes as a term of affection, no one says to their kid "Hey, little, how was school?" It's purely a term moms use to describe their kids to other people, and it's SO twee and affected.

Also the older the child is, the more annoying it is. Calling your 2-year old your little? Annoying but not that bad. They are literally little. Calling your 5 yr old "little"? SHUT UP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love "littles"

It's so much easier than saying "the two younger ones"

I mostly hear it used to describe only children, or to collectively describe all of someone's kid (2-3 kids). I still find it annoying in your parlance but more understandable.

A mom calling her only child "my little" though, makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love "littles"

It's so much easier than saying "the two younger ones"

Yes, this is the only way I use the term as well and only in speech or occasionally text to my husband.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love "littles"

It's so much easier than saying "the two younger ones"

Yes, this is the only way I use the term as well and only in speech or occasionally text to my husband.

I don't think anyone cares what you call your kids to your husband, or the terms of endearment you use with them directly. I know I don't.

I object to the use of these terms with other parents and on social media. I also hate hubby, the use of the term "squad" to refer to your friends, and all the twee abbreviations like "champers" for champaign, or "totes" for totally, etc. People who talk like that are exhausting.

[Anonymous]

Littles
Onesies
Grands (for grand children)
Preggers
"I feel badly" unless one has lost their sense of touch!

There are more but these are enough for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It drives me nuts that these are terms only women use, and that this manner of speaking is very transparently something women do to appear cute/non-threatening/charming.

I know some of you are going to say "that's not why I do it, I just like it," but it's baby talk and women use baby talk intentionally to make themselves appear helpless and cute. It is really grating.

YES YES YES!!