A Rose By Any Other Name...

Toddler turned three last Saturday. We haven’t told her yet. Her party isn’t until Sunday, and if we told her last Saturday, the conversation would go like this:

“Happy Birthday, honey! You are 3 years old today!”

“I’m 3! It’s my birthday! Now I get presents, and balloons, and cake, and every one hides and yells ‘Surprise’!”

“Actually honey, your party isn’t until next week Sunday. Your party is next week.”

“WHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

(Sunday) “Is it my party yet?”

“No.”

(Monday) “Is it my party yet?”

“No.”

(Tuesday) “Is it my party yet?”

“No.”

(Wednesday) "Is it my party yet?"

"No."

(Thursday) "Is it my party yet?"

"No."

(Friday) "Is it my party yet?"

"No."

(Saturday) "Is it my party yet?"

"No."

(Sunday) "Is it my party yet?"

"Yes! Happy Birthday!"

"I’m 4!"

Long story short, she’s 3 now, and is no longer a Toddler.

Crap, now what do I call her on my blog?

When I started my blog, except for myself, I always changed the names of any one I referenced, unless I had their express permission to use their real name. Privacy issues, and all.

Because I couldn’t gain their express permission to use their real names, and because it helped readers understand how old my children were, I referred to them as “Baby” and “Toddler.”

Except I forgot that kids grow up. Now Toddler has to be referred to as “Preschooler” (even though she doesn’t attend preschool yet) or “3-year-old” (which is kind of a mouthful). Also, if one reads my earlier posts, will they realize the child now referred to as “Preschooler” was once referred to as “Toddler” and the child now referred to as “Toddler” was once referred to as “Baby”?

Arrrgg.

I could just use their real names, but then there’s no way to know how old they are unless I say “X, who is 3,” which annoys me for some reason. Some sort of executive decision needs to be made.

So, from here on out, I will refer to Toddler as Preschooler. Baby will remain Baby until she turns 18 months, and then she will be referred to as Toddler. All others will have aliases unless they grant me permission to use their real name.

I, of course, will always be referred to by my real name. As author of this blog, I believe readers deserve to know who I am.

Now, I must be off. Preschooler has removed the ham from her sandwich and is shouting “Hooray, hooray!!” while she waves the ham around like a flag.