What's in a name?

I was really hesitant writing about this, for it's going to probably cause me a shit ton of drama but it's an obstacle that most dating single parents may face.

If you may recall a couple weeks ago, stranger danger first met my 3 year old son during a 'toliet fixing' fiasco. When he arrived, I simply stated "#1 this is my friend *insert real name here*" and that mostly was it. #1 was immediately attached to his leg and would not let him be to do what he came over to do. While we were sitting on the couch, SD made a comment along the lines of "I'm going to get mommy!" and #1 exclaims..."That's MY mommy, you're dad"

*cue crickets chirping*

I wanted to pretend I didn't hear what my child just said, so, that's the route I took. Maybe he said bad, maybe he thought his name was Tad.... so I didn't address it. After about an hour of them goofing off and doing 'boy' things (aka rough housing, I don't rough house...I'm a delicate flower) again, the 'dad' word came out. Yep, I couldn't pretend I didn't hear it, it was clear as a bell.

Later that night, SD and I were texting and I brought up the topic. SD felt that he was saying it as a statement, not as a name. Potentially, but my child is 3. He doesn't call his teacher's 'teacher' he calls them their names and even though he was introduced with SD's actual name, I couldn't figure out why he was so quick to put the label 'dad' on someone who was male, and a friend of his mother's.....ugh I can see the therapy bills already.

Normally in this situation, you would let the child choose what to call your significant other. I'm okay with SD's children calling me Kelly, for that's probably what they prefer but in the case of a small child, I could call SD chicken butt and he would legitimately believe that's his name. However, #1 has a dad already and I feel that my child isn't an appropriate age to make that decision on his own.

Personally, I don't want #1 or #2 for that matter being raised calling SD by his first name. I feel that it's giving them the impression that he's on their level. If SD is going to be apart of their lives on a regular basis, we could call him Uncle but what happens when he's in school? "Oh I live with mommy and uncle SD"... *cue banjo music*

We decided on a nickname, it was similarly close to his name and puts a more fun twist to his name. So, today I needed help moving some heavy objects and summoned my knight in shining armor. I told #1 specifically that "nickname of SD" (did I lose you yet?) was on his way. After helping me out, I put my children in the car and was standing outside saying my goodbyes. Again, my brain wanted to think my child was screaming BAH!! in the car but we all know he wasn't. Once I got in the car, #1 says to me "Mommy, I didn't get to say goodbye to Dad!" "#1, remember, his name is *nickname*" "No mommy, it's dad"

Aye.