Called Out for Name Calling

It seems to me that the idea of names vs. titles would be a difficult one for toddlers to grasp. Why am I Mommy AND Megan AND Aunt Meg AND The Queen of All She Surveys? These shifting titles, based on different relationships, could be very bewildering.

Eleanor has done a better job than we expected of understanding that we can be all of these things at the same time. We were shocked the first time she called us by name; I had always assumed that she thought my name was "Mommy." And actually, she's even quicker to pick up on these labels than we ever imagined.

A few weeks ago, Keith told me that he asked Eleanor what I called him (meaning: What's his name?). "Jerkface!" she replied. Obviously he had to be lying. I don't call him a jerkface that much. Certainly she would be much more likely to—if not answering with his name—then use an affectionate term such as "sweetheart" or "my love." Right?

This morning he asked her again, "What does Mommy call me?"

Slightly more tactfully this time, she replied, "Jerkface and Keith."

Thanks, Eleanor/Tattletale!