I have a 5 year old who has a father she sees every other weekend/once a month. I have a partner who she is very close to and respects very much. Last night she called my partner “dada” and I told her “you have a dad already but we can figure out another name to call him,” to which she said “but I want him to be my dada”. She calls her dad “papa” and I would love for her to have a sweet name to call my partner but I’m not sure what would be considered appropriate. I want to respect the “dad” label her father has, even though my partner is much more involved in her life than her actual father is. I asked him what he’s comfortable and he didn’t know what to answer. What are some sweet names for a “step-father” figure that won’t take away from her father’s role? Thank you for your help!!
Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. What should my daughter call her step dad? - Mamas Uncut
She has a dad so may be let her all him by his name or a special name x
To each their own, But I call my step dad “pa” but it really depends on what the child is comfortable with.
Since she called her dad papa and wants to call step dad dad I would discuss with her dad and see what he thinks. Being it’s a different name he may not mind.
His name. Jerry, Bob, Timmy, etc.
Let her decide! She knows her heart.
Whatever she is comfortable with. That’s her decision, noone elses
So my mama name is tiller, my daughter (his step) always called him papa till. She’s 10 now and came up with that at age 2.
Support your daughter. Is she wants to call him that then that’s her choice.
I would let her call him dada. I mean your partner is there obviously taking on a fatherly roll so she feels comfortable calling him that. Talk to both men about how they feel about it.
Let her call him whatever she wants. If she has a connection with him and wanted to call him Dada don’t make her feel like she’s wrong.
Popi or Papi( pronounced like the flower)
Mine is 4 and calls her step dad daddy. But she also calls her birth dad daddy to. She just gets twice the love 
Her dad is who she feels connected to.
So what if she feels connected to both.
I think it should be up to her what she calls them
Making her change the name could take away from the bond by making her feel like something is wrong with how she feels for him
Let her call him what she wants
My kids always called their step dad by his name but referred to him as “bonus dad” I wonder if you could use that somehow. It’s kinda long to day but like “BD”…that might sound too much like "VD"
I’m not sure but it’s a cute idea to find him his own nick name. I hope you find something great!
Let her call her step dad whatever she wants. She will figure it out
Let her call him what ever she would like.
My stepdaughter gave me a nickname still calls me that. Wouldn’t force it honestly
Whatever she wants to call him!
Yes i say let your daugther call him with whatever she wants to call him…support her decision.
What makes her comfortable 
My 5 year old took it upon himself to call my partner Daddy. He sees his dad every other weekend too and he refers to him as daddy too. He just says he’s lucky enough to have 2. It’s whatever makes the child happy x
Allow her to call him what her heart desires!
Ask your partner if it is ok she calls him dada
When we were growing up my dad was always with my lil sister from my moms new marriage. We all started calling my dad POPS because he didn’t feel comfortable with her calling him dad. To this day 30 years later he is still known as pops.
Nothing wrong with dada. Seeing as you did say her father is papa.
Any guy can be a father it takes a real man to be a dad.
If she calls her dad papa I would let her call him Dada or ask her dad what he thinks.
I agree, I let me kids choose what to call their step Dad. It really shouldn’t be a big deal we’re all in the same game of wanting to raise good kids. Bonus parents can be a blessing!
She has only one dad and it’s lovely she calls your partner Dada but if your husband is doing the right thing by having her in his life I think it not appropriate for her to call him Dada maybe think of something she can call him when she calls him Dada you could say no not Dada but whatever you guys work out I would say go for it if her father wasn’t in her life but because he is I think it’s hurtful for the dad so maybe just teach her a new name she can call him
If her bio dad is already “papa” then “dada” for step-dad is fine.
Let her call him what she wants.
Let her call him what she wants. She has a different name for her bio dad, so it shouldn’t be an issue 
I disagree with those saying ask her dad, or whatever mom thinks… respect your daughter and the relationship she has with her step father! She has two different names for two different men. Let them bond together, respect her feelings!
I like the names she has selected. Whatever you do, please don’t have her call your partner solely by his first name. Dada “Bruce” or Daddy “Bruce” could be an alternative since you are not married to your partner.
My daughter started calling her step dad (my husband) dad about 2 yrs into our relationship, she’ll still call him by his name sometimes too. (She was about 3 when it started) I think if it comes naturally its ok. When its forced I don’t agree with it.
Dada, daddy or dad are all great options.
Let her decide and her dad she calls papa anyways
Honestly it will always be up to the kids. Do not encourage or discourage her, just embrace it.
This is perfect, young one. Both are titles of respect, love and understanding- pretty good for 5 years old. You all must be awesome parents.
The answer is whatever she wants.
Let the child figure it out if she wants to call him dad n he’s there for her that’s wonderful I think
More to love our children the better
Let her call him what she chose❤ don’t change anything
My 9 year old calls my now ex fiancé dad by her choosing and I have never corrected her on it they will call them what they feel they deserve to be called. My ex is the only “dad” my daughter has ever known so when she went from his name to dad it took us both by surprise but it was all on her to do so even tho he is step dad but to her he’s her dad. Kids are smart
I see nothing wrong with Dada or dad.
I know a ton of people who call their steps mom or dad. It’s what she wants as long as no one told her to do it it shouldn’t matter. Most step dads play a bigger part simply because they live in the same house. That doesn’t make her father less active. I’m sure it will sting a little but her father can get over it and eventually be thankful his daughter is lucky enough to have such a great step parent she’s comfortable calling him that
My sisters and I share a different dad… They call my dad either dad or by his first name… My brother’s have a different mom and both call my mom and their bio mom mom or mama… There is nothing wrong with it if he acts as a dad to her and she has that connection with him and see him as a dad… You shouldn’t make your daughter feel bad for having 2 good dads just means she’s a lucky little girl
As long as she’s choosing to call him that, it’s fine. I would definitely talk to her father about it so he has a heads up.
I don’t see anything wrong with her calling him dada. Maybe discuss it with her dad and see if he’s comfortable with it as well?
I would let her call him whatever she wants as long as he’s comfortable with it. If she calls dad papa, dada is fine!
My oldest calls his stepdad, dad. Anyone can be a father, it takes someone special to be daddy. My husband does more for the kids and treats them equal. He does more than what my ex has ever done. He will tell you that both boys are his. Might not be blood but he is mine.
What she calls him should be her choice as its right to her
It’s up to the kid what they want to call people in their lives.
What ever she feels comfortable calling him it’s not about anyone else’s feeling its about her she’s a child she shouldn’t have to consider feelings when it’s comes to the people she’s loves and sounds like she loves him 
She can decide when she’s ready
Let her call him that if that’s what they want
I would say whatever your daughter is comfortable with calling him. As long as step dad is good with it and responsive to her, I’d let it be. My 3yo son just calls my bf and father to his little brother by his first name still lol His bio dad is still very much involved with him though, so it isn’t a surprise to me. But I’d let him call my bf what he wanted to as long as he knows who his bio dad is.
What ever she is comfortable with calling him
He is her step dad! Nothing wrong with calling him dad if it’s comfortable to her!
Honestly I would support what she wants. My daughter decided to call her step dad daddy when she was 3. Her dad didn’t like it but it was her choice. I told her you can have two dads. That just means you found someone who you feel loves you as much your dad. She won’t forget her dad or down play her dad because she has a second one. I know that from experience. My daughter is a daddy’s girl for both. You can’t tell her nothing bad about her dads or she is ready to fight
Dada is great !! She knows her heart and everyone should embrace it 
Why not? She can have two dads, let her call him dada, if it makes her happy,
Whats appropriate is what your daughter is comfortable with . She shouldn’t be told she can’t call him what she wants to call him.
Whatever she wants
You are thinking too much into this.
Allow this to be a organic process between the 2.
She’s already picked a name for him. Bio dad isn’t “dada” he’s “papa” so they already have different names. Why make it more complicated?
Look no matter what you say or do your daughter is gonna want to call your husband dada. And there’s a good reason behind it. And if her bio dad catches wind if what she calls your husband, then just say “that’s what SHE calls him. Nobody told her to do that” he’ll be mad regardless. Trust me. Respect what your daughter wants. 
i dont think a child should be calling a step parent mom or dad calling them by there name is good enough untill they are older to know the diffrence and make that choice on there own i have 4 step kids one i raised and never asked them to or forced them too the one i raised asked me if he could or if i mined if he called me mom i s aid to him if and when he wanted to thats his choice he already has a mom weather the relation ship is good or bad bad but i left it up to him
I think dada is appropriate. She called her real father papa. So another name like dada is ok
Let her choose what to call him.
Let her call him what she wants. Nobody else should get to make the decision of what she calls him.
We made up a fun nickname for my moms bf of 10 years we call my actual dad JB. His initials 
I was 14 when my mother remarried. So, i a little different. But i had the conversation with my step father. He knew my dad and they were civil to each other. I said i will not call you dad, what do you want me to call you? He said mike is just fine. He was mike until he died.
My daughter knew her father, it has since ended in major meltdown on his part. He was not always able to attend school functions, my boyfriend attended one. I was at a new job and no way for me to take a day off for the event. My boyfriend asked how he should introduce himself. My daughter took care of it, “this is my walter”. I loved it. No extra explanation required.
If your child wants a papa and a dada, let her.
I don’t know if you are old enough to remember the show differ’nt strokes. There was an episode where the boys tried to decide how to call their adopted father. They called their bio dad father so they were okay with calling their adopted dad, dad.
It’s up to the child what she wants to call him not anyone else. My 7 year calls me n her step mother mommy.
He is just your partner not your husband . See what they are both comfortable with.
My daughter went to my then boyfriend at 4 years old and said I want you to be my dad and I want to call you Dad. He has continued to raise her and be more involved and we’ve gone on to have other kids and everyone calls him dad. If she calls the other one Dad how about just Dad. I think you should let her follow her heart
Let her chose and back her up if her papa is upset about it. She’s allowed to have 2 dad’s. What a blessing
I called my stepdad by his name. I think she should choose what she calls him
Whatever she calls him shouldn’t be forced… My 3 girls call my husband daddy and they started that on their own however my son calls him by his name.
My step daughter calls me mom and her birth mom as well. At was weird but there is nothing wrong with it. It means she trust me and looks at me with the same as a mom. Us adults talked it over and well in the end there is nothing wrong with having an extra mom.
Let her call him what she feels is appropriate for her.
My oldest has her “Dad” and her “Daddy”.
My son also calls my husband daddy, but okay the difference is he literally doesn’t know his bio dad at all so I guess it’s easier for me. We never encouraged or discouraged it, I think it’s something he learnt from preschool
My grandbabies call their step momma momma Sarah
I feel like unless you are married to this man, she should call him his name…
If you marry him, that be revisited
Sensitive subject.
Let her call him dad if that’s how she sees him
My daughter lost her dad but she calls my boyfriend bonus dad or bd.
My daughters call my husband their step dad Frink but his name is frank so sorta a nick name
I got together with my husband when my daughter was 2 ½ years old. Her birth father isn’t in her life, but I left the decision up to my daughter what she wanted to call him. She used to call him Brenny honey or something like that. My husband’s name is Brandon. Now she calls him Daddy.
Let her call him what she feels comfortable with.
I always just called my step dad Mike.
I was older tho. His kids call my mom mom they were much younger like your daughter. A parent is a parent step blood or chosen
Dada is perfect! She chose and knows what her feelings are. My son has a step daughter, and in his concern for her, wouldn’t let her call him dad; she was 5. Now that he and her mom are married and have 2 more children, she refuses to call him dad. She volunteered this info and said it was because he told her she couldn’t call him dad 6 years ago. Children don’t forget. Please let her call him dada.
I mean I would just let her call him dada if she calls her dad papa.
It’s still different from dad.
My stepdaughter (almost 5) calls me Momma heather. So even if she adds his name on it too.
I would always leave this up to the child and what they feel comfortable with
I just want to hug you, who ever you are. Your heart is wholesome and I see the level of respect you have for all parties. Sometimes we want to make a decision for our babies but it seems like she already made the best decision based on the healthiness you’ve raised her in!!! Woman, you’s the shit!!! That is all!!! 
Let her call him dada.
Let her call him whatever she wants. My daughter is my “step” daughter and calls me mom and has since she was 4. Leave it up to the kid. You don’t have to be blood to be a kids mom or dad.
However she wants to name him
My daughter calls her father dad and her step dad daddy. My ex wasn’t a part of her life very often for many years and my husband is in her daily life. She has 2 dads. You said she has a papa for a grandfather what about Pop for her step dad?
Let her choose what she wants to call them. Talk to both of them about why she calls bio dad papa and your partner dada. Don’t force anything on her. From my own experience of my step mother making me call her mommy