I'm coining a new word: ANBO

[momta]

TLDR: It's an acronym for "Adult Non-Binary Offspring".

I have an anbo. They are neither male nor female, neither are they a child. So none of the words I would otherwise use to describe them work, which tends to either force me to misgender them, and/or call them a "child" when they are 25 years old.

I have a friend who also has an anbo, and she recently asked me how to refer to them, considering they are not a "child," nor a "daughter," nor a "son." It makes for long, complicated conversations with people who either don't understand what it means to be non-binary, or want to engage in some rancorous conversation that I don't have time for. (Pretty sure a new word isn't going to fix this, but it might speed up the process a little, and help me get it over with faster.)

So...new word: ANBO

You're welcome

[TwilightZone]

1. Just "offspring" would probably work, too.

Without the qualifiers. That would eliminate a lot of the complications and explanations. If you and your offspring both have a sense of humor about it, you could say progeny, heir, successor or descendant.

Whatever works for you is best, though.

[NoRethugFriends]

2. Could use kid. Doesn't really imply age.

I refer to my 44 and 46-year-olds as my kids

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. I love this!

I recently had this conversation with a friend. I’m old enough that I’m still adjusting to the concept that “they/them” is not necessarily plural, but trying to be sensitive, not be a dope, and learn.

I ran into a former neighbor and asked how “Johnnie” is doing. That neighbor said, “‘Johnnie’ is now ‘Isabel,’ and doing great - finally!” Well, Isabel is heading off to college, so while my kids will always be my kids, I really wanted a way to refer to this young adult as something other than “kid” or whatever.

So I love your new word! And I love your ANBO!

[momta]

4. "They/them" is hard for me too.

I have an English degree, and I can be a bit obnoxious in correcting people's grammar. I finally had to just say to myself, "I love my family, I love my anbo, and if this is what they want and need, then I will do my best to adjust."

I later read that, according to Wikipedia, the first use of the singular "they" in literature is from the poem Guillaume de Palerme, from 1375. Not sure why, but that made using a little easier for me.

[LostOne4Ever]

5. I think it is awesome that you are supporting your ANBO this way!

So many people won’t even put in the effort to merely call their trans/ nonbinary family by their pronouns much less new name.

But you love and respect your offspring so much that you are willing to coin a new acronym just for them!!! I wish more people where like you!!!