Why do people use the word "kiddo"?

[Anonymous]

Kinders for kindergartners
Grands=grandchildren
Hubby=husband

-all annoying

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind the word "kiddo" but if people put it in the same neighborhood as "hubbie" or littles (or prego) I will stop using it.

“Littles” is gagworthy, and overlaps heavily with people whose whole identity is wrapped up in being a “boymom.”

"Littles" draws up images of adults in the BDSM community who wear diapers, drink bottles, and play children's games. There is no way that I would use the term in connection with children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think “kid” sounds very dismissive. “Child” or “children”sounds too formal. Therefore, I refer to my kiddos as kiddos. Guess I don’t really care what anyone else thinks about it.

That's my thought too

[Anonymous]

I find people who put on extremely performative pubic affection annoying (not like, anyone, but like extreme people a la Rachel Hollis or something). And there is some overlap with this group of people and the use of some of these endearments. But it is ridiculous to me to blame the endearments, which likely have absolutely nothing to do with you or the person and have to do with what they were called growing up or what their communities call children/spouses/etc.

What is important is not the word, but the emotion behind it. My husband, who is quite stoic and not prone to these terms occasionally refers to me as 'his woman'. And the first few times I kind of side eyed it and the feminist in me raised an eyebrow. But he does not have any of the negative traits I might associate with someone using that term, its just how he expresses affection. If he were gone tomorrow, I would yearn for him to call me that one more time.

So if you are the kind of person who wants to make someone feel bad about the way they express love and affection? Get a life. Let them live their life and live your own. And figure out what it is that is really bothering you and focus on that. Because maybe, like OP, you have a legitimate gripe with that person. But if you don't address the gripe and instead mock them for the terms of endearment they use, you will come across like a mega a-hole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think “kid” sounds very dismissive. “Child” or “children”sounds too formal. Therefore, I refer to my kiddos as kiddos. Guess I don’t really care what anyone else thinks about it.

That's my thought too

My thought is that you're both the type to have been preggo. Or something similar. Ick.

[Anonymous]

It’s just colloquial slang of slang. I don’t mind it at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think “kid” sounds very dismissive. “Child” or “children”sounds too formal. Therefore, I refer to my kiddos as kiddos. Guess I don’t really care what anyone else thinks about it.

That's my thought too

My thought is that you're both the type to have been preggo. Or something similar. Ick.

No. NP here and kiddos is referencing children. It doesn’t relate to how an adult references themselves. You both need to relax.

It’s pretty common, guys, especially among preschool teachers.

[Anonymous]

Some of you sound like my grandmother! She used to go off on the word “kids” in reference to children. “My kid” sent her into a fit!

[Anonymous]

Our principal refers to the kids as "friends" at all times. As in, while pointing to two little girls, "Those two friends over there aren't sure which bus they're on. Could you take these friends to the office and help them figure it out." Or, "We have a friend here who needs their temperature taken." "Good morning friends!" She is also disingenuous and it grates.

[Anonymous]

I don't like "hubby" or "preggo" but I like "kiddo." I also like "doggo."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids are baby goats

Hi. Please consult a dictionary. There you will lean that the same word has multiple meanings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind the word "kiddo" but if people put it in the same neighborhood as "hubbie" or littles (or prego) I will stop using it.

“Littles” is gagworthy, and overlaps heavily with people whose whole identity is wrapped up in being a “boymom.”

Agree it is gagworthy but it's not a #boymom thing. Definitely more of a performative crunchy mom thing, usually said by a mom wearing Birkenstocks carrying a toddler named Basil in a Tula carrier. She will use the phrase "littles" as she talks at you about her philosophy on mindful elimination communication. You will want to die, but before you can die, you will know a lot about Basil's bowel movements.

You guys are killing be! These are amazing.

My thing is that these dumb nicknames are excusable if your oldest is under 3. Do I love it? No. But becoming a mom can involve this search for identity and I think a lot of people try this stuff on for a bit. But once you have a preschooler, I think you should have dropped the cutesy nicknames and the whole “being mommy is my whole world!” schtick. I would also hope you’ve realized by them that there are no perfect parents and it’s gross to judge other parents over stuff like screen time and their kids eating chicken nuggets.

Honestly, I’m MUCH more grossed out by people who use cutesy nicknames for their spouse. Hubs, hubby, better half, wifey, “the wife”…. Gag me. Hubby is the worst.

I completely agree. Once you have a preschooler, you need to move on to judging people based on the nicknames they use.

[Anonymous]

Old thread but was just reading through posts on our neighborhood list serve and it's amazing how many people exclusively use "kiddo" or "little one" and I thought about this thread from a few months back. I just realized why this annoys me.

It's because it feels like people do it to be cute and, specifically, to make you see them as cute. It feels fake. It's the same people who are peppering their posts with unnecessary exclamation points and random overshares. It feels needy as hell.

It's like: "Hey neighbors! Our little one has finally graduated from the crib, yay! (Also, gulp!) We're selling it for $200, including mattress and bedding if you are interested. Hit me up if your kiddo needs a new place to sleep!"

When it could be like: "Good condition gray crib for sale, $200 OBO. Mattress and bedding available for free if you buy the crib. A few nicks but otherwise in good shape (see pics). LMK if you have questions."

Also only women do this and I think maybe we should ask why. Really. Why?

[Anonymous]

I hate it. It feels like an attempt to be cute because the speaker is uncomfortable somehow.

[Anonymous]

Our superintendent of schools used to call the students kiddos all the time. The way she said it made me think she really didn't like children at all.