Dear Prudence,
When I met my boyfriend (who doesn’t have kids) four years ago, my twins were only 1. He is a wonderful guy and the only dad they’ve ever known, and we’re in it for the long haul. Here’s the problem: He absolutely refuses to let them call him “Dad” or “Daddy.” They call him by his first name, but refer to him as “my dad” (which he doesn’t mind). However, they often ask if they’re allowed to call him “Dad,” and he won’t let them and won’t really explain why. I know he loves them, but it makes my kids sad that they can’t call him by what he means to them. When I asked my boyfriend, he said he prefers to be called his real name. What should I do?