Growing up, my dad had silly names for each of his four kids. These nicknames are very special to us because we all feel like we have a special place in our dad's heart, even now. I was "puddin' head" which came from an old Shirley Temple movie that we used to watch over and over growing up. My next youngest sister was "baby doll"... I guess she was sweeter than I was. In fact, I know she was. My brother's nickname was "Pog-Squally"... and I am certain I don't know where that came from. But it fit him. My baby sister's nickname was "little brown-eyed girl" because she was the only one of us with brown eyes instead of blue or hazel. Even today we answer to these names and feel a special bond when daddy calls us by these funny nicknames.
I started doing this with my own kids when we had our first baby in 2006. My oldest is "Sugar Buns" and my middle child is "Booger Bear". My newest baby boy has only been in our home for a couple of weeks and I got up to go get him because he was crying and hungry. When I stood up I said, "Oh, Sugar Buns is crying." This was when my oldest looked at me and said, "I thought I was your Sugar Buns." I felt terrible that I had just mixed up the names and made him feel like I just used that name on anyone.
I had to apologize and clarify that he was my "Sugar Buns" and that I just haven't had time to think up another name for the new baby. He was relieved.
So, don't underestimate the love your child feels when you communicate something. We mommies have to make sure that we spread our love out evenly. Even though we know in our hearts that we love all of our children equally, we get busy and communicate things when we don't even realize it. For me it is important, especially during this time of change with a new baby brother to spread the love and create balance for each child. This is a challenge sometimes... but it can be done.
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.~ Psalm 127:3
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