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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my 4 year old son Jackson insisting that he wanted to go by the name Jack. Some of you have asked me what has happened and so here is a quick update.
The next day after writing the post, Jackson told me that if he was going to be Jackson, then I need to call Julia her full name – Julia, not Jules like we often do. (Jackson started this nickname for her a long time ago and I use it all the time.) So I think he may have felt left out and wanted a nickname.
I told him ok and I am trying to remember to call my niece Julia. That seemed to do the trick. When I slipped the other day and called her Jules, he reminded me.
Last night, however, when we were at my in-laws house meeting some out-of-town relatives, Jackson complained about his name again and told them that he wanted to go by Jack. But other than that, he hasn’t been talking about it.
So I am just letting things rest at calling him Jackson and his cousin Julia. If he starts to get really upset about it again, then maybe I will have to reconsider. And if he is still concerned about it when he gets older, then I will probably let him go by Jack. But for right now, I think I will just try to see if the issue starts to fade.
Thanks for all your input – it is so fun and helpful to hear what other people think. You all had some great ideas and insights! (I loved that BlestWithSons reminded me that C.S. Lewis changed his name to Jack at about the same age. If Jackson does ultimately change his name to Jack, the fact that he will share the same name as C.S. Lewis will bring me great comfort. My friends actually named their little boy, who is Jackson’s age, Lewis after “Jack” Lewis.)
I am not ready to give up on the name Jackson yet – as I said, I adore it!
Abby says
I had a similar experience with my son, Jonathon. We had always called him Jon-Jon and then when he was about 3.5 he decided he wanted to be called by his full name: Jonathon. So we all started calling him by his full name even though we still slip up sometimes 🙂
Kvetch says
Cute post again about the nickname. Sweetly I must tell you that when he goes to school – assuming you won’t be homeschooling – you will not be able to control what the kids call him. I have never ever called my son anything but his full name, and other kids have never ever called him anything but his nickname. If he wants to be called Jack, that’s what they’re going to call him. This might be a lesson in “pick your battles.”
GiBee says
You know … JACKS isn’t too bad! Actually, I kind of like the nickname Jacks. Kind of endearing!
Just a thought.
Can you tell I’m catching up on my reading?
Perri says
Ryan’s middle name is Jackson – I love it too.
My good friend told her boyfriend, Autis, that she just really didn’t like that name – so she was going to call him Ed. Everyone does now and they’ve been married almost 25 years. Ed is not even his middle name, last name, cousin’s name, nothing. She just picked it out of thin air on the spur of the moment.
Laurie says
I didn’t get in on the orignal post, but I have a story for you. My dad, real name Paul, insisted as a young boy he wanted to be called Bob. “Bob” he became to his family and friends. As an adult he has gone by “Paul” at work and at church, but by “Bob” with family and friends. People have even thought my mom was remarried because of the name game. Once, when he was in Jr. High, he had records listed under 4 different names: Paul Fleetwood, Bob Fleetwood, P.M. Fleetwood and Robert Fleetwood. And, what is truly funny, he had a different grade point average under each of the names. His sons-in-law love to call him Big Bob…yet he is only 5’4″.
eph2810 says
I think this is awesome way to approach it. And Blest always has great input :smile:…Especailly raising boys.
e-Mom says
A hoot! What a koinkydink. Glad you have a “theologically aware” friend! (re: C. S. Lewis). I prefer Jackson too, but I’ve found it’s really uncommon down here south-of-the border.
Emily says
I love that fact about CS Lewis — glad you know it, too! 🙂
Stephanie says
My youngest’s name is Grayson and we alternate saying Gray or Grayson (mostly Gray) and I am sure someday he’ll assert his preference, too! BTW we love the name Jack, too-and it is on our list if we keep having more boys!