AIBU for not wanting my child to be called "cheeky monkey" by the staff at a nursery every time they greet him?

[ekatk]

My DS is 3.5 and is quite an active child and lately I noticed that one of the staff members at the nursery calls him "cheeky monkey" every time she sees him. I don't want him to feel "branded" with this and think that it's a norm to call someone this word all the time, cause someone might consider this offencing. Should I talk to the nursery staff or AIBU? What would you do?

I find that a term of endearment, an acknowledgement of character. I don't think it means he's cheeky or a monkey

I wouldn't do anything. That term is often used as an endearment IME, and so don't think it a judgment.
Wouldn't be entirely surprised if she didn't call a few of the children the same.

YABU

I would be relieved they hadn't asked to speak to me in private with concerns about his behaviour, given that a parent's "quite an active child" usually translates into "uncontrollable and gives staff a headache day in day out"

Choose your battles.

Cheeky monkey isn't an insult. It's a saying. A term of affection more than anything else, particularly with young children.

I haven’t voted because I suppose you might have a teeny, tiny point but it wouldn’t have bothered me if it’s said cheerfully.

By all means ask the staff not to address him as “Cheeky Monkey”. I’m sure they’ll oblige.

You’re being silly, it’s a very typical phrase.

I very much doubt a three and a half year old has any concept of feeling branded.

😂😂😂

If it was said in a happy voice I would be pleased the nursery staff like him.
Cheeky monkey is a common term of endearment as others have said.

Get a life 🤣 you must not have much else to think about.

It's either a term of endearment, or the staff member is rubbish with names like me. I could tell you the ins and outs of the children I worked with - their favourite colour, animal, sport, food, what they did at the weekend, what colour eyes they had - but names , nope,some just never stuck and if they looked remotely like another child that would be it I would get the names muddled forever more.

I always think of Cheeky Monkey as a lovely compliment and an affectionate phrase. It's lovely. I think complaining about this would be absolutely ridiculous.

Jesus Christ, this has got to be a wind up 😂😂😂

I don't think it's ever meant as a criticism, it's always meant kindly to show you like the person.

I don't suppose this nursery worker uses it exclusively to him, or only ever calls him that. She's just trying to show you and him that she's fond of his character.

Actually at my nursery that I work with, it's taught that we use their given names. Maybe ask that they call him it less?

Ds's nursery teacher used to call him chicken which was quite cute. But if you don't like it, then of course you can ask them to stop.

I do feel sorry for people working in schools and childcare these days.

On the one hand they are firefighting issues with the products of 3rd generation poor parenting who arrive at nursery and school never having sat at a table; had a regular bedtime; or been read a story. Then they have to accommodate parents nitpicking at every tiny thing they could possibly take offence at.

I call my own children this loads. I called the dog a cheeky monkey this morning too. It doesn't mean anything negative, it's affectionate

THIS OP

It depends. I almost complained to my child's nursery about this. As a black women I used to be called a monkey aa an insult and frequently had monkey noises made at me as I walked past. So when I had my first child and the nursery staff called him a cheeky monkey, I wanted to complain as I thought they were being insensitive at best and racist at worst.

But my husband explained they call every child that. Which is true. I would only complain if they target your child with that phrase rather than use it as a generic term of endearment.

For those who regularly use "cheeky monkey" as a term of endearment, please do realise it can be quite triggering to people who experienced the term "monkey" as a form of racism. I have to ignore the sensation to be upset whenever I hear my children being called that phrase.

I called my son that all the time! Because he was! It was a term of endearment.

Is this going to turn into a drip feed where your son is a POC and the staff have swastikas tattooed across their knuckles? ;)

My god, what has happened to people to be so offended by EVERYTHING

I mean if you walked in and they said "spoilt brat" but cheeky monkey really? I think you're being a bit precious and they will think you're a nut if you bring it up.

Oh fgs. I'm assuming he's your pfb. Honestly it's a term of endearment to the vast majority of people except the perpetually offended .