Am I just being overly sensitive about this issue?

Question

My MIL refers to my daughter as "little person".  I think she thinks this is a term of endearment, but it sounds so condescending.  I have brought it up to my husband and he sees now how irritiating it is.  Is there a good way to bring this up with the MIL?  She even has my FIL saying it now too.  I find it odd that anyone would say... Hello little person, how's my little person.  Just sounds so... unpersonal.  My daughter is almost 2 so she has been doing this since she was born.   Give me your opinions on this and ways to help us talk to his mom about this.  Isnt it the same thing as if we were to call her "Old Lady"?

Go Bears! · Accepted Answer

One of my old coworkers had a similar problem.  She named her daughter Madison and her MIL always called her Maddy.  She taught her daughter to correct people - "My name is Madison, not Maddy"
You can teach your daughter to do the same - My name isn't little person, it is ______.

? · Answer

Little person seems kind of cute.  I see my daughter becoming a person everyday.  It doesn't sound as though she means little person in a negative way.  Are there other reasons why you think your MIL may be out of line?

foxinsox · Answer

I think...you are being oversensitive. 

It sounds like a term of endearment. My friend calls my boys "little man"...she loves them..its a dutchy thing. Just the way she was raised...no disrespect..just her thing. 

I call my new nephew a little piggy...because he snorfles when drinks..it never occurred to me that his mom and dad would be offended. If they told me I would try to stop..but after two years..I think you need to just get over yourself.

Start signing her cards to Grandma "Dear Big Person-Merry Christmas - Love, Little Person. "

Anonymous · Answer

I call my father in law "Old man"!!  Don't worry as long as they love her that's all that matters.  Happy Holidays!!

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Am I just being overly sensitive about this issue?

4 Answers