90. "you are being very defensive and why..." In response to In response to 87
he's right, it does seem like you wanted confirmation. For what? none of us knows...unless you just like creating dramatic situations. I will give you my take...
1. it's inappropriate for that child to call you dad given the relative short time you have dated his mom even if you did live with them for the past 6 months. You two aren't married. 2. while the kid's wants and feelings can't be ignored, you cant' just give into children to make them happy. 3. if you don't feel comfortable, then say "at this time, let's just stick with denny and in the future, we can revisit this again." that way you leave it open for change if you decide in the future. 4. if he asks why just say "i think that's a title better reserved for your *real dad OR for people who are married, since your mom and I aren't married (yet?) then maybe we should hold off on that."
you can give this child lots of answers without hurting their feelings. even if they are a little hurt, guess what...he's a CHILD. This is truly not the big issue you are making it out to be. He can't call his mom's random boyfriend"dad". So what. buy him a video game and he will get over it. Chances are, he's only asking because of the standard set with his dad. but this issue is really not that big of a deal to mill over it so much.