What's with high 5's and "buddy"?

[Jodi]

Okay, I'm not venting at all here!!! Just curious... do you notice your child with ds gets called "buddy" a lot, and asked to give high 5's a lot?

We were trying out a new church today, and that happened a few times. I mentioned it to DH, and we kinda chuckled when it happened again.

I said guess that's why it's called "The Buddy Walk, huh?" and he laughed and said "don't you go and try to change that..." Who, me? LOL!

I know it is harmless and it is a way for people to try to connect... but it is kinda strange how universal "buddy" has become for boys with ds, it's like an endearing nickname I guess.

Jodi

[momofrussell]

HA! Never really gave it much thought.... we call Russell "buddy" sometimes. We use to call him BUBBY when he was younger but we do call him "buddy" at times.... Reece does more so for some reason LOL

A.

[Jodi]

Oh!!! A - we do it too! I forgot to mention that! We call Ryan "buddy" often... we say stuff like "hey, what's up bud?" I don't say that to my older son. I call him "honey" - he'd shoot me if he knew I posted that

Anyway, that's sorta what got me wondering... knowing that we do it too.

[Kristin]

Even though Clarice is a girl, she often wants to be someone's buddy. She'll often say she's "Mamma's buddy". I wonder if it is used by adults to connect one of our kids to a child without DS and not try to force a friendship. Buddy is friendly, but does not imply a more permanent relationship.

The high fives are common between teachers and elementary kids. It has replaced hugs because it doesn't get teachers in trouble but still gives kids some physical contact as a reinforcer. Both of my kids like high fives. That's my take on it anyway.

[Pat]

I call John-John "Dude." It's so cute to hear him refer to someone as "Dude", including me sometimes. LOL Should I change it to "Buddy?" lolol
Pat

[Emilysmom]

Jodi,
Maybe I don't notice this because Emily is a girl...........would seem really odd if people called her "Buddy"! But, now that you mention it, my husband and son both do this with little kids they meet. And I've always thought it was because they heard me and others talk about not wanting our kids to hug everyone. Shaking hands with little kids seems uncomfortable; too "old" for kids and teens to do. So, a "high five" is like a greeting. I'm wondering if this is what others are thinking too? As for the "Buddy", I see it as a sort of a name you can call boys when you don't know their name. It sounds friendly, you know? Like a waitress saying to a little girl "What would you like to order Sweetie"?

Susan

[CC]

Actually I and Colin both say to Chris lots "whats up buddy" and to be real honest we do lots of high 5's around here

I personally don't think it has anything to due with the DS just a phrase and the high 5's just another way of positive affection.

CC ~

[elizabethsmom]

I am guilty of this when working on the pediatric unit. I call kids "buddy" as a friendly greeting I guess. I remember faces, meds, treatments, schedules ... but for the life of me I can't seem to always remember names.. even when I think I do it's often incorrect. So..rather than say the wrong name and upset the child, I use "buddy" and "cutie" a lot for young kids. (obviously NOT the 17 yr old boy with broken leg, etc.)

As for the high 5's... we've actually taught Elizabeth to do that instead of kissing everyone. All of my nephews, neices, aunts and uncles want to do SOMETHING to say hello and goodbye, but I'm kind of turned off by the kissing of my little ones (was the same with my typical kids when they were little). So... I'd rather they high 5'd it. It's cute, the teens like to see her do it, and I'm happy everyone's not putting their mouth on her face.

Just my opinion
Sheryl

[Chris too]

My two boys (typical) are both often called "buddy" and other little boys as well. It's just what you call a little guy. And high-five? All my kids high-five & always have. Their pediatrician always high-fives them & just about everyone who wants to praise them gives high-fives.

[jelanismom]

Heh bud! Heh dude, heh little buddy, I think it's all the same no matter the kid...my son's dad always says "heh dude" as a greeting and then a high five... Here's something funny, I saw on a worksheet from somewhere that you fill in that asks ... "can your child give a high five?" lolol I remember my brother back in the 'old days' being called "buddy" just by whomesoever...and buddy was always an endearing term...like he's my little buddy.
And thank the seventies for the high fives...and give me five, etc... ;D

[advocate4myself]

I think it is a term of friendliness and a connection with others. And acceptance too in a way. I don't know about girls and women. I know I don't want to be called a "buddy." It just doesn't sound right to me. I don't like "sweetie" either. I have to put up with this from nurses and waitress sometimes. I know they don't mean anything negative about this. I just remember my grandmother having to be called that. Then I think, am I that old to them? ..............Debbie

[Renee']

We call Lauren buddy or bubby. I notice that a lot too. Lots of high fives

[elizabethsmom]

Debbie,
I agree with you. I don't want to be called "sweetie" so I don't know why you would. I do know, however, that some people do it as a habit, and not meant to be disrespectful. I've actually spoken to Joby about it because when we are in New Orleans (where he's from) he calls everyone we meet (at a store, a drive-thru, a gas station, a waitress, etc) "honey". They all seem to respond o.k., and it seems like everyone down there does it, not just my husband, but being from Michigan, not something I hear much. Anyway, meant to say, I think sometimes it's just meant as a endearing hello when you don't know someones name rather than "hey you, person with the brown hair in the booth in the corner". KWIM. :-)
Sheryl

[danikins]

I guess I never thought about it. I see people ask other kids for high fives all the time. I think it is just a way to open a way to communicate. You know, we as adults, sometimes don't know a way to possibly start a conversation. It is no biggie to me. As far as buddy, my dad called all his grandson's "little buddy".

Now, I say "honey" to Dani all them time--so she usually ends her sentences to everyone with "honey". Yesterday she told her teacher, "momma was coming and we were having dinner--okay honey?. Like she was making sure Miss Monique knew I was getting her.

Just my thought on things. I am older though.

I also let Dani do "pound its".

To me, high five's are pretty common. Course, I live in a State that calls soda, "pop".

Kim ;D