Barbara Ann Elder

Dad-dy … Dad-dy

My little 14-month-old grandson practiced the sounds over and over. Clearly, pleased as punch, he now started turning in circles – another of his latest tricks – as he continued to mouth Dad-dy, Dad-dy.

Up until that moment he could only say Dada, despite the coaxing of us all to make it Daddy instead.

And today he nailed it. The sounds came out just right. He knew it. He felt the joy. And, as he swirled in triumph, he blew a few extra bubbles to make his point.

Kids Determine the Lingo

It really isn’t your choice, is it?

In the end, kids will determine what names they call you and how they say it.

Try coaching a toddler to say Grandma, Grandma. The fact is that, if they come up with Mama instead, then Mama it is. Case closed!

If truth be told, the names our kids come up with are often far cuter, and certainly more special, than any of the tried-and-true terms commonly used. And, in most cases, the kid-version names stick and lovingly continue for life.

And so, my toddler granddaughter couldn’t quite wrap her head around my elder son’s name, Stuart. When she started confronting him, finger wagging with great authority, Asha, Asha, it finally twigged that she was calling his name, and this was her version of Stuart.

He has worn his name with pride ever since, and Asha he remains to this day!

The Joy of Kid-Speak

As your kids grow older, they continue to delight in coining unique catchphrases.

School is their social hub, and the influence of this social system is paramount.

School is where your kids make friends, navigate the rules to live and play by, explore their dreams, and start to figure out their place in the grand scheme of things.

Being liked and valued by their peers makes all the difference in their action-packed, vulnerable, world.

Parroting the lingo, as they put it, empowers them, and enables them to fit in with their friends with effortless ease. The fact that they have no idea about the meaning or the origin of many of the catchphrases of the moment is of no importance whatsoever.

All that matters is that these creative catchphrases are way cool. Which means they are cool too.

Fast forward to my feisty, eleven-year-old granddaughter. She and her pals are all about cute, cryptic abbreviations.

Almost every response is peppered with idk (I don’t know), idc (I don’t care), jk (just kidding), brb (be right back), let’s bounce (let’s get out of here) … And, if you don’t know the lingo, you’re antique toast!

Note to Self … Get with the Program!

It’s important that we, the adults in our kids’ lives, (parents and teachers), remain plugged in to the lingo. Otherwise, you risk being tossed to the heap of irrelevance without a backward glance.

Besides, what could be more fun than connecting with your kid in this casual, informal way?

Give it a try. 

And you’ll be promoted to Cool Mom/Dad status in record time!

Bear in mind, though, that the lingo is subject to change at a moment’s notice. Stay alert and attuned!

As for Children’s Authors … Show You’ve Got This … and You ‘Get’ Them

It’s all about originality, trustworthiness, and authenticity in your children’s book. Young readers must identify with your characters and enjoy hearing them speak … in their lingo. 

Don’t try to explain what your characters are feeling or thinking. Your story will sparkle with refreshing credibility when you discreetly step aside, and your young heroes tell their readers straight up what’s really going down.

When that happens, just watch your creds skyrocket … 

As your star power as a children’s author soars!