Belacqua Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 bumping. she's now claiming "kiddo" for a disabled child (and only one person on the local autism group is remotely partially agreeing with her) is like saying "colored" in reference to an african american. Did she explain that at all? Because it makes absolutely no sense, and now that logical failure is going to bug me all day. And I'll throw in, late, with everybody who says there's nothing offensive about it. I don't even find it especially cutesy; it's more something a gruff grandpa would say in a rare moment of sentimentality. Sort of the outer edge of affectionate. I'll also agree with those who find "kiddies" creepy. I recall reading a magazine article about a summer swimming camp; some venerable older swimming champion volunteered at the camp and said he liked "helping out with the kiddies." I felt just awful about finding that icky, as I had zero reason to think his intentions were anything other than honorable, but it still just read kind of skeevy. "Kiddos" would have changed the vibe entirely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PachiSusan Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Yeah, like Vulturebutt. tee hee!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I've only heard it used as an informal word for regular kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Dup. Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Gah, will people freak out and be offended over every little thing?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I've only heard it used as an informal word for regular kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 bumping. she's now claiming "kiddo" for a disabled child (and only one person on the local autism group is remotely partially agreeing with her) is like saying "colored" in reference to an african american. can this woman get a grip? I hope someone challenges her on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexigail Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 When I worked in a special ed preschool a lot of the teachers used the term kiddo to refer to the students. It's a little over used but it never really bothered me. I thought it was kind of cute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Well thank goodness the poll was unanimously that kiddo is okay because I use it a good bit. It's much easier than accidentally calling your own children the wrong name because you're so absentminded. I had a weird panic moment looking at the poll question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbanSue Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Oddly enough, our only child who we call "kiddo" is also disabled but I'm pretty sure the two have nothing to do with each other :) How old was the child in question? We did have the issue of our diabled child seeming younger than he was for a couple of years because he couldn't walk. Dh was sensitive about this. Was this a teen who the mom was trying to move toward adulthood and felt worried that he/she was going to be patronized and condescended to his whole life? I could potentially see that. People are so nauseating towards our disabled child sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I refer to my children as 'Kiddos' all of the time. I think 'kids' sounds a little disrespectful. (i don't mind hearing it. I just don't like saying it.) At 11 and 15 for the youngest two, 'kiddies' doesn't work well, either. And, really, if you know my bunch, you will see that 'Children' is a little too refined. :crying: So, when I'm referring to them en-mass, I use the collective kiddos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceyobu Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 214 votes with no dissenters here is a record. Seriously. I bet if you posted a poll entitled "cupcakes are delicious" you wouldn't get consensus. So, what do people who don't use the phrase "kiddos" say? "Come on kiddos! Time to go!" rolls off the tongue a lot better than "Come on children!" I also feel like kiddo can be used with a slightly older child. Because, you aren't calling them a "child". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Uh, what?? Where did this person come from? :confused1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 Really?! Here's the definition according to Miriam Webster. I was interested to see the term has been around since 1905! Nothing negative at all. Feel free to send her the link. :) It is in the 1905 dictionary, it was probably around for a number of years previous to that. someone else already sent the link. It didn't seem to make any impression. It seems it is a provider she's upset about. I tried to point out there are some boorish and ego-centric providers who patronize everyone and she may have gotten one that she mistakenly thinks is singling out her child. (child is apparently an older teen.) she's dug in for the duration. you'd think as the mother of a sn child she'd have bigger fish to fry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 Well thank goodness the poll was unanimously that kiddo is okay because I use it a good bit. It's much easier than accidentally calling your own children the wrong name because you're so absentminded. I had a weird panic moment looking at the poll question. I *still* end up mistakenly calling my kids by their next older siblings name. even dudeling, who is 12yrs younger than his next sibling, gets called by 2ds's name. though, not quite as bad as calling 1ds by 2dd's name. :blushing: (though, I do jokingly refer to them as my "twins".) I loved erma bombeck's column about her mother calling to come in for supper, and not coming. her mother asked when she'd come, and she replied - when you get my name right. My dh and his siblings were all called by various of my mil's siblings names. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 So, what do people who don't use the phrase "kiddos" say? "Come on kiddos! Time to go!" rolls off the tongue a lot better than "Come on children!" I also feel like kiddo can be used with a slightly older child. Because, you aren't calling them a "child". I tend to call the younger ones "kiddos" but when I'm trying to wrangle my 8 and 18yos in the car I tend to go with "people" instead. As in, "Hey people! Get in the car!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 I'm tending away from that discussion list. she's dug in. people are challenging her on equating "kiddo" with "colored" (she's stating kiddo is discriminatory because it's used for disabled children. umm, no, it's used for any children.) she's even had a few indignant moms who use kiddo with their kids, and are also still called kiddo by their own parent/grandparent. I really just wanted to know if anyone else had ever heard of it used to imply a child was disabled. I never had. that's why I did the poll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeterbug Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Am I the only one who is tempted to delete my vote and vote the other way? I mean, unanimous? I'm almost afraid we are jinxing the boards! Watch out! They'll crash tonight! Ack! :leaving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 My MIL (Texas) used to use it in a slightly dismissive way, saying things like, 'That's the way of the world, kiddo.' It was used to her own sons and her grandchildren, none of whom is disabled. When she wasn't being dismissive, she would say 'kids'. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundAbout Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I use it all of the time and my DS is not disabled. I have an only child and a deployed husband so it kind of captures the freewheeling casual nature of our home life as in "Hey kiddo, lets ditch math and run down to Jamba Juice." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I have never heard kiddo used to refer to a disabled child, only as a cutesy affectation of "kid". Ditto nor has it ever crossed my mind as a term for a disabled child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Yeah, like Vulturebutt. You know, if I knew I could change it back, I'd be Vulturebutt for the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briansmama Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Another vote of agreement here- my dad called my sisters and me kiddo growing up and none of use are SN. I don't use the term (it bugs me almost as much as the word "kidlet", which thankfully my dad never used) but I would not associate it with a special needs child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeindeed Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 It's a cutesy version of kid. I use it all the time, especially on my blog & FB. My youngest child has special needs, and I've never heard "kiddo" used to describe a disabled child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 A friend who is 10 to 15 years older than me actually calls *me* and other friends of hers kiddo, as a friendly, affectionate type term. I have never ever heard it specifically connected with disabilities. Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I call my children kiddo all the time. It doesn't mean anything besides 'kid.' Heck, my coworker calls me that (he is all of a year older than I am). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 I love the hive. 312 votes it's a variation of kids. this woman is insisting it is *widely* used as a discriminatory label for disabled kids. it's still going on today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I would be very tempted to give her a link to this poll or at least ask her to cite some sources to support her claim. If it's so widespread it shouldn't be hard to find numerous examples online. (Actually, if she googled it she may find this thread on her own.) And surely this many unanimous votes must be some kind of TWTM record! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I came up with this on Wikipedia. The article has lots of flags at the top, but maybe this is where she got the idea from. Kiddo, patronizing and excessively familiar term for a child, especially one with a disability. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I came up with this on Wikipedia. The article has lots of flags at the top, but maybe this is where she got the idea from. Kiddo, patronizing and excessively familiar term for a child, especially one with a disability. Laura Or perhaps the woman edited the Wikipedia article to put that in! I've never seen a unanimous WTM poll before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 This is like those people who insist that picnic is a synonym for lynching and there for insist that calling the office bbq "the offIce picnic" is racist. Um, no. Just no. Not at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&Rs Mom Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 This is like those people who insist that picnic is a synonym for lynching and there for insist that calling the office bbq "the offIce picnic" is racist. Um, no. Just no. Not at all. :confused1: I guess I do need to get out more - I've never heard this. And on the OP, I had to read the whole thread because I just posted something else using the word kiddo, and needed to make sure no one had actually discovered that it was a problem.... :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Next thing this bird will be posting on the list about how impossible it is to make friends in that town... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 NEVER heard that...EVER. I did pick up "littles" from the Hive though! I use that one all the time now. But my DD is definitely a "kiddo"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 :confused1: I guess I do need to get out more - I've never heard this. I consider this one of the upsides of not working at an office anymore. No more dealing with crazy over sensitive co-workers. I am all for anti-racism action and awareness, I was raised in a mixed family who was targeted by skinhead wannabe KKK types after all. But I am not for making up stuff to get offended about. Apparently, some do like to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Wow. This is one of the few times we all agree on something. :laugh: I know, it's freaking me out a little bit. I love the hive. 312 votes it's a variation of kids. this woman is insisting it is *widely* used as a discriminatory label for disabled kids. it's still going on today. Wow This is like those people who insist that picnic is a synonym for lynching and there for insist that calling the office bbq "the offIce picnic" is racist. Um, no. Just no. Not at all. Whoa :blink: Never heard that before. Next thing this bird will be posting on the list about how impossible it is to make friends in that town... Soooo true. :smilielol5: :smilielol5: :smilielol5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 Am I the only one who is tempted to delete my vote and vote the other way? I mean, unanimous? I'm almost afraid we are jinxing the boards! Watch out! They'll crash tonight! Ack! :leaving: :svengo: I didn't allow for an "other." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 This is like those people who insist that picnic is a synonym for lynching and there for insist that calling the office bbq "the offIce picnic" is racist. Um, no. Just no. Not at all. Idiots. Lynching wasn't limited to minorities. Give someone a freaking history book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I did hear an objection once to using the term "kid" because a "kid" is a baby goat, not a human child. Doesn't seem the two objections are related though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplyme99 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 That mom is a wack-a-doo ... nothing to do with disabilities! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccolopy Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I avoid "kiddo" because I've heard too many coaches/teachers/camp counselors use it when they don't know a kid's name, but I've never heard of any connection to children with special needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelbe5 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 My kiddo has autism. It is not a bad word or reference. My other two kiddos don't mind when I say that to them, either. I really don't understand why this woman would feel that way about the word. ETA we need to save this thread for posterity. The Hive is unanimous! Pass the cupcakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I have heard kiddo being used much more often in a scolding tone than affectionate tone. But that is for people young and older, SN or NT. No one used that specifically for a SN child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Awesome! A unanimous poll. I've never seen that here. :thumbup: I agree with a previous poster that it could be insulting if used to refer to a disabled teen who seemed young. Dh calls our dds kiddos. He surely doesn't mean it in a bad way. My dad uses the term kiddies. I've never heard anyone else use it, but I know he doesn't mean anything negative by it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Idiots. Lynching wasn't limited to minorities. Give someone a freaking history book. There is so no point arguing with people that stupid. Believe me, I tried. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 bumping. she's now claiming "kiddo" for a disabled child (and only one person on the local autism group is remotely partially agreeing with her) is like saying "colored" in reference to an african american. can this woman get a grip? umm... no. She's wrong. And, she's a whackadoodle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nscribe Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 :rant: In a world where people have fears over whether they will be able to feed their children because they lost their job, people still die under civil strife and dictators and so forth.....I just can't muster sympathy for any offense taken by the use of the word "kiddo". I don't want to muster it. The idea is silly and wasteful of the immense capacity we have as humans to think. There are real people, with real problems who I can't find enough time in life to help. This woman can stand in line one place ahead of anyone who is also so easily offended and in search for issues to be offended, while blind to things that matter. Maybe when every other conceviable problem in the world is solved it will be worth one more moment spent on her search for something to fret about, thus file it in the circular file and flush. Next! :rant: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXBeth Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Or perhaps the woman edited the Wikipedia article to put that in! I've never seen a unanimous WTM poll before Ha! I though the exact same thing and then scrolled down to see you had already posted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I came up with this on Wikipedia. The article has lots of flags at the top, but maybe this is where she got the idea from. Kiddo, patronizing and excessively familiar term for a child, especially one with a disability. Laura Even if you take this definition (which is Wikipedia, so not the most reliable), it is only true if used by someone who is not close to the child since the definition uses the phrase "excessively familiar". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redheadmom Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 That definition now appears to be missing. At least it didn't show up while others on the same page did. Maybe it's a conspiracy to create a unanimous poll and end the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Yikes. After many years visiting online forums and learning there are all kinds of special people in this world, I shouldn't be shocked. And yet, I am. I am continually amazed at the silly, little, stupid things that people will get their knickers in a twist over. I'm also a little creeped out that this poll is unanimous. 405 votes strong. The sky may be falling as I type... :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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