Is a child ever really too old for nicknames?

Question

Ever since my daughter was a baby, I've called her Princess. It was like a standard nickname, like how Bill Miller on Still Standing calls his daughter Pumpkin. I don't call her Princess infront of her friends but last night I said "Could you please pass me the salad dressing, Princess." and she did and said "Dad, I'm fourteen, could you possibly not call me Princess? I think I'm a little too old." Her older brother looked at me and then at her and said "Isabelle, your never really to old for a nickname. I mean people still call me Bri Bri and I'm 17." and all my daughter said was "Well I'm different."

I'm wondering, is a child really too old for nicknames as long as you don't call them it infront of friends?

What's your opinion. I mean she still calls me Daddy, so I'm kind of confused.

Answer 1

No, I don't think your ever to old. In most famillies they parents call their kids by nicknames regardless of age. she could be 40 and it would still be ok to call her princess. it's a sign of affection, i think, for parents to call you by nicknames.  

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with addressing a loved one by a term of enderement.  

Answer 3

It really does depend on her, if she doesn't object, sure, go ahead, but there's nothing wrong if she wants to be 'mature'.

Answer 4

i said that to my dad when i was like 14 or 15 (im 15 now) and i kind of regret it because i like the nicknames :) i was just in a bad mood

try waiting a while before calling her princess again and then if she always keeps getting mad you should stop until shes older

Answer 5

My husband still calls my twin daughters, fourteen, a million names, example.

Kenzie, Kenzie Rose, Mac, Kenny, Sassy "Sas"

Kenny Leigh, Kenny, Ken, Princess

So just try not to do it more often.

Answer 6

I'd leave the ball in their court.  I think a lot of it depends on the nickname and how the child feels about it.  A mushy nickname for example, is going to lose its appeal with an 8 year old boy you know?  

I guess I'd also consider the personality of the child in general (some kids dont like attention).  My daughter has a nickname, but my son doesn't.  Up until a few months ago, Gina actually thought her middle name was Bear.  I don't remember how she inherited the name Bear, but she's used to it, and she likes it.  So she'll keep it as long as she wants it.

Answer 7

You're never too old for a nickname- she's just at that age where everything you do will seem incredibly embarassing. If she doesn't want you to call her that for now then I wouldn't but it won't last. When she's a little older she'll probably think it's sweet.  

Answer 8

You're only too old for a nickname if you've told people you don't want to be called by that name anymore.  I know it bugs you that she doesn't want to be called Princess anymore, but if she doesn't like it, she doesn't like.  I betchia when she gets a little older, she'll want you to call her Princess again.  Just give it time.  :)

Answer 9

I think you can use a nickname forever...it is a sign of closeness and love...in this case however your daughter has asked you not to...it is probably just a phase she is going through so lay off of it for a while and try again in a few months....you sound like a great dad so don't let this get you down, it is just her way of trying to find independence!...I have to tell you my dad has a nickname for me and he still uses it and i am an adult!...Keep up the good work!

Answer 10

Well..you are her Daddy so it's not really a nickname but if she doesn't like you calling her Princess anymore, you have to respect that.  It does not matter who thinks a child is too old or not too old for nicknames, in your case, your daughter thinks she is.

Answer 11

nope. im 19 and my grandparents still call me ashley bear. and theyve called me that since birth. i think shes just going through that teenage girl "faze" where she knows everything.  

Answer 12

just call her a nickname based on her REAL name! like belle, or isa u kno second daddy is like a title to dads my sis still call me dad daddy and shes 23

      no a child is never to old for nicknames it depends on the nickname u giv'em

Answer 13

No, of course you're never to old for nicknames.

Trust me, at 14, this is a phase. She really just wants to be "grown up" and will reject things that make her feel young. But by 17 or 18, she'll grow out of it.

Don't take it personally! Teenage girls are silly that way.

Answer 14

no.. but she is 14 she is at the point were she wants to have nothing to do with her parents...and wants to grow up.

Answer 15

Absolutely not!  As a parent, I've never stopped calling my children by their nicknames and 2 are 24!

My step-sister is 38.  We got together the other night and my stepdad still calls her 'smokey'!

Its just her age.  One day, after the peer pressure to be cool and grown up goes away, she'll love the fact that Daddy still calls her Princess!!!

Answer 16

Tell her she can't call you daddy unless you can call her princess lol. Or accept the fact that she's growing up and get her an age appropriate nickname--Like Izzy or something.

My parents just gave me a nickname last year and I have no problem with it--as no one else seems to find a suitable nickname.

But no,, you're never to old for a nickname.

Answer 17

I don't think she is too old. Just try to not say it as much. And thank god you don't say it in front of her friends. I mean she shouldn't take it for granted cause my parents never had nicknames for me and uhh it felt weird growing up without a nickname and everyone elses family does.  

Answer 18

it can depend on her mood. if she's upset, say it softly, if she's mad, don't, is she's happy and communicative it would be all right. but if she asks you repeatedly, stop. teenage girls are picky. my dad used to pat the top o fmy head when he passed by me on the couch, and that annoyed me so badly, i asked him to stop several times, and he still does it. i've ostly just had to get used to it. maybe explain why you call her that.