Jleemurpa's Journal

My youngest son will turn nine the 5th of November. For most of his life he has been called AJ which is short for his first and middle name Andrew John. There have been times people, such as teachers, have addressed him as Andrew and he would tell them he prefers AJ.

About a week ago he told me he didn't want to be called AJ any longer but rather Andrew. All he has given me for a reason is he thinks AJ sounds like a little kids name and he doesn't know anyone else who uses initials for their name. I asked if he had been made fun of in school and he told me no and that he just wanted to be called Andrew from now on.

My dad was here visiting and brought it up to him in private to see if he could get a better explaination. My dad thinks it has to do with the fact the use of AJ came from his father when he was a toddler. It appears as if he is dropping the AJ because he is upset with his father who comitted suicide two years ago. The second anniversary of his death was a few weeks ago and Andrew never mentioned anything to me, but it was shortly after that when this whole name change thing came around.

I have tried to talk to him about this again and he gives me the same answers as before. If I mention his father as being the reason he says no or just shruges his shoulders.

For now I going to let the questions stop and honor his request. Old habits are hard to break but I will call him Andrew.