I named my son Holden. Ok, Alec and I together named our son Holden. We liked the sound of it. Alec goes by a derivation of his middle name and really hoped to avoid that fate for our son. He spent all his school years correcting teachers and substitutes about what to call him. Silly nickname to the rescue.
The problem is that we had no forethought. We didn’t imagine how a young, articulate 3 year-old might pronounce his own name for well-meaning adults asking the innocent, “what is your name?” question and we certainly did not plan ahead for when we had a younger, less-articulate one-year old struggling to pronounce his big brother’s name.
Milo says “Oldie” when he wants his brother. Then again, Milo calls me and Alec both “MommyDaddy” or “DaddyMommy” so we probably shouldn’t go by him.
When grown-ups inquire, he might say “Holden” (sounding a little like “Olden” “Alden” or “Eldon) or he might say one of his recent nicknames given to him by his BFF at school, Miles (AKA Boo). They have named each other:
- Pachacho (always said to strangers with remarkable clarity, making it seem like I must have kidnapped this child if I insist on calling him something odd like Holden)
- Chicken Coop (again, pronounced clearly and distinctly, making strangers wonder why my kid is such a liar)
- Rhinoceros Goat (said well, but leaves people wondering if they’re mishearing a complicated family name)
- and now, inexplicably Flippy Cup (and we’re back to making little old ladies think I’m raising one adorable, shaggy haired liar).
During these phases, they call each other the chosen name and create a little exclusive club of 3 year old hilarity. It’s Flippy Cup that has me both scratching my head and declaring his hilarious imagination. I don’t know why Rhinoceros Goat didn’t strike me as funnier at the time.
Do any of your preschoolers answer only to a bizarre self-invented nickname?
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