DS calls Grandpa "daddy"

[JordanKX]

I didn't want to post this in single-parenting (or maybe I'll double post), but I"m curious some BTDT experience with the definition of titles. DS knows his Daddy. No question. We've been split for 6 months, but his dad has his Monday afternoons and all of Friday night (often into late Saturday). But with dad means at Grandpa's house. So he's spending just as much time with Grandpa.

It was weird this weekend at a family reunion, every time he'd go up to Grandpa, it was "daddy".

When I'd say... "let's go find Daddy"... he'd run to Grandpa.

Grandpa = Daddy

DS is 2 next month.

How does it get defined... this "daddy" person? or the mommy person - for that matter. I mean, he doesn't confuse my mother (his gma) with me. She is definitely grandma, I am mommy. Always. He's never confused mommy. And yes, he's with me a lot more. But he is not without an active father - albeit less time, but still.

What does that say? Is this normal for kids to get confused about titles at this age?

[P.J.]

I have no idea what I'm talking about here, my son is just 14 months and only has about 15 words, but here's my take on what you describe:

Maybe your DS associates "Daddy" with his grandpa, since lately whenever he goes to his real "Daddy", grandpa is there. So, the word "daddy" means the broader category of "Those guys / that guy I see when I go visit my dad". Does he still call his dad "daddy"?

My DS, for example, uses the word "apple" to mean all fruits and veggies, and sometimes all food. It's all "apple" in his mind. His mind thinks like this: I eat apples, I also eat this and that, so they are also "apple". KWIM? He also uses the word "car" to mean anything with wheels. I realize he is a bit younger, but I wonder if that way of thinking, of making wider categories and then using one word for all of it, is still happening at 2.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by P.J. 

I have no idea what I'm talking about here, my son is just 14 months and only has about 15 words, but here's my take on what you describe:

Maybe your DS associates "Daddy" with his grandpa, since lately whenever he goes to his real "Daddy", grandpa is there. So, the word "daddy" means the broader category of "Those guys / that guy I see when I go visit my dad". Does he still call his dad "daddy"?

My DS, for example, uses the word "apple" to mean all fruits and veggies, and sometimes all food. It's all "apple" in his mind. His mind thinks like this: I eat apples, I also eat this and that, so they are also "apple". KWIM? He also uses the word "car" to mean anything with wheels. I realize he is a bit younger, but I wonder if that way of thinking, of making wider categories and then using one word for all of it, is still happening at 2.

I was thinking the same thing. Is it possible that you are reading too much into it? My DS has a huge vocabulary (including other words he could use in the following scenario) but tends to refer to all adult women as "mommies" lately.... He knows I'm HIS mommy and I'm Mommy with a capital M!! But he will also say things like, "What is that mommy doing?" to refer to a female cashier or something. Does your DS ever call his dad Daddy?

[octobermom]

this is very very common age his age. I wouldn't worry at all.

[JordanKX]

Thank you. I figured it was probably a normal thing - just part of the labeling process.

But still glad I asked! :-)

[Peony]

My DD1 called my mom Mama and me by my given name until she was about 3! No idea why, my mom didn't live with us, didn't refer to herself as mom, DD1 just decided that was the label she should be. She eventually switched and started calling me Mama and then gave my mom a different name. My current 2y calls DH Mama most of the time, it is rare that he will actually use the words Dada, but if I tell him to go to Dada, then he runs straight to DH. Just the labeling is off!

[octobermom]

It may have been because of how those words were more modeled. If your husbands and friends called you by your first name and if you called your mom MOM Vs say Jen or Mres Smith (whatever) then our kids learn ohh then YOU are (first name) and that woman (grandma) that is Mama ..  WHile not something every kid does many do.. and yea mama/dada mix up very common he  may switch call both of you dada before he really gets it.
t might have been because its was mode how the words were modeled.

Originally Posted by Peony 

My DD1 called my mom Mama and me by my given name until she was about 3! No idea why, my mom didn't live with us, didn't refer to herself as mom, DD1 just decided that was the label she should be. She eventually switched and started calling me Mama and then gave my mom a different name. My current 2y calls DH Mama most of the time, it is rare that he will actually use the words Dada, but if I tell him to go to Dada, then he runs straight to DH. Just the labeling is off!