My kid wants to name his dog something I think of as a racial slur. How do I tell him it's wrong?

Question

I don't want to mention the word, but suffice it to say, my boy is half Mexican. I just found out that a couple of the kids in his day care have been calling him this word.

He doesn't know it's an insult, he just thought it was a new nickname, and now wants to name his new puppy after this word.

How would you explain to a four year old that it's not a nice word, without hurting his feelings, since he's been being called that?

Or is it better to just let it go, and let him think it's a cool nickname, but not a good name for his puppy?

Answer 1

I don't think you should inform him it's a bad name, try suggesting a name, ie: *NAME* and inform him that although *bad name* is an interesting name, but not something good to say to other people, it's not something to name a pet after, and say that you think *NAME* would be better, but try to make him think its his idea. Also, I think you should talk to his teacher if he's being called a bad word, it just suprises me that kids so young know something like that! On no means, however, should you tell him its a cool nickname.

Answer 2

I would definitely not let him keep thinking that this is a good thing or an okay thing, or to let him name his dog this. It's innocent enough now, but he might also refer to other people by this name and get in trouble, or grow up thinking it's okay to be called that. You don't want a positive association with this word, so I'd say nip this in the bud right now.

What you need to do is sit him down and explain that the other children calling him this probably don't understand entirely, but that slur (whatever it is) is not a nice thing to call other people and it can hurt their feelings. Explain to him that it doesn't at all make him bad, or even that it means that they don't like him. Tell the daycare that the word's been circulating, too. If you know which boys they are, make sure to tell the daycare people. They can inform their parents and it can be handled. If it keeps happening, it might even be the parents using it. Either way, the root of their use of it needs to be found. It might seem innocent enough now, some typical name-calling and teasing, but letting it slide at a young age is the perfect opportunity for racial hatred to flourish later.

Answer 3

You could give the dog some derogatory name for the other kids' ethnicity, perhaps something like H*nky, Wh*tey, Gr*ngo, N*gger or whatever is appropriate for the little jerks and tell your son thats it's okay for him to call them that same name, too.

Well, maybe not, on second thought, Rover is a nice name too. When I was a kid, I remember a Black Cocker Spaniel in our neighborhood named Ni**eR. Even as dumb little white boys in an all white town 45 years ago, we knew it wasn't very cool.

I think you've got the best answer there yourself, tell him it's an okay nickname for him for right now, but not a good name for a dog. Then be sure to talk to the folks who run the daycare about it and get the name calling to stop. Think of some names you think he'd like and make up a good fib for a reason why it's a lot better choice. When he's old enough to understand, tell him the truth.

Answer 4

Come on,
be the father.

Tell your kid YOU don't like the word and the answer is NO!

Let the day care people know you don't like paying them to have your son insulted. It should stop.

In a few years after some of the novelty wears off tell him about this bad mystery word.

Answer 5

No, tell him that it is not a nice name, he will understand. Tell the day care about the other kids calling your son names, they should be paying more attention to things. I have a four year old daughter, however, she is not in school yet and has never been to day care but I try my best to tell her that when she does there will be other kids that will be mean to her and try to hurt her feelings but not to let it bother her. I know it hurts to see your child sad but he has to be prepared for these things. Kids can be brutal. I hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 6

there is one situation you are able to comprehend.... there is not any longer something incorrect with being black no rely what words are used to describe the certainty you're black. it is all the N observe is, a observe to describe the colour of your epidermis. Why do you think of words like honky or cracker are so innoffensive to white people. would you be indignant if a muslim reported as you a kaffir (kaffir being a muslim observe to describe non-muslims, meant as an insult). i'm guessing no longer as you're unlikely to work out something incorrect with no longer being a muslim. you have been taught from an early age to react badly to being reported as that observe, once you incredibly have not have been given any reason to. specific, there are d!cks interior the worldwide who will call you names, yet do no longer permit d!cks get to you. everybody hates them for a competent reason.

Answer 7

I wouldn't let him. Other people may not know that he does not know the meaning of the word and take offence to it. People may think that you are bringing up your son as a racist. His daycare provider should be told immediately what you son is being called so she can notify the parents of the children and have it stopped at once.

Answer 8

I think you should talk with the parents of the other kids and let them know you don't want them to keep telling your kid that nick name, than let your son know that nick name is not appropriate in a kid nor on a pet, no explanation is needed.

Answer 9

if its a bad name the worst thing is to let him think its cool. just tell him that there r other names that r better and thats not a good word to use.

Answer 10

speak to the daycare workers, they shouldn't be allowing this to go on. have them speak to the kids and other parents, it's really not acceptable.

then speak to your son and explain that it's not a nice word. you can't let him think that it's an acceptable word... one, for his self-esteem, when he gets older, and two - what happens if you lose the dog and have to scream that name up and down the street?