It is a learned behavior and has nothing to do with a child feeling this person is better than that one. My sd for example called her step dad Dad, then it became Pa cause of some family thing or something, but now she must call him that and she despises him. talking to a child about what to call someone is EXACTLY what we do everyday.
Curious if you child started calling you 'yo $itch, are you also okay with that, true it is an extreme but it happens more than people would like to believe and it is the CHILD's choice, or more commenly, one of your children calling you by your first name at a young age.
And also I brought up the "confused" issue becaus the poster is stating it is already and issue, because DAD calls himself DAD
I realize their are people who think they have no chance of deploying, however we are in war times and technically ANY member reguardless of job duties can be sent, unless medically incapable or on special orders (which her ex is not) The military owns you and can change that status at anytime.