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If you don't like it, tell the paremts you are uncomfortable with it and please stop telling the child to address you that way.
I don't find it odd that you prefer not to have that title, for whatever reasons. Some folks don't like being adressed as grandma or grandpa, either.
Just tell them. If they try to belittle you or demand reasons, don't discuss it. Simply keep saying that you expect them to respect your wishes. You are entitled to be addressed as you wish.
My grandmother was an aunt the minute she was born, as she was the youngest of a very large family. Age is irrelevant. No, her older nieces and nephews didn't call her "Aunt First-name", since they were older than she was or were her age-peers - but her great nieces and nephews certainly called her "Aunt First-name", as it was more age-appropriate. She became a great aunt around the age of twenty.
Like "Aunt", "Uncle" is a term of respect and cordiality, and it has no bearing on marital status or age. As for the claim that it will lead to confusion for later generations trying to figure out their family tree, that's a bit far-fetched. It also places future remote possibilities well-ahead of present-day realities.
Technically, you are this child's step-uncle. A child who is a member of a family such as you describe has already suffered a number of upheavals, due to parents' divorces and remarriages. Encouraging extended family stability and closeness by the use of terms like "aunt", "uncle", and "cousin" preceding the names of adult relatives - and step-relatives, and relatives by marriage - is reassuring to such a child, and a very good thing.
I agree, think of the child, not yourself. You should be flattered, not upset, that you have a new niece or nephew (not a "it"!) who wants to have a warm relationship with you and whose parents are encouraging this.
My dad was the youngest of eleven. He was born an uncle. Being an uncle doesn't denote age at all.
I'd say talk to the parents. If they are doing it out of respect, then take it as such and accept it. At 29 there are a LOT of uncles. And the kid is related but through marriage.
They could be using the overly generalized 'cousin'....
I am still 'Aunt' to my ex's siblings kids and its fine.
And a child calling an adult by the first name is not quite right.
A sibling recently was married and the person he is married to has a kid and my sibling is teaching this kid to call me uncle, but I'm not related to this kid in any way. This is the reason I don't want to be called uncle by this kid. It's like they are trying to make me an uncle without even being one. I'm 28 and if I was the real uncle it would be strange, I wouldn't like being one, but I can't complain about being called that when that happens. How do I tell this kid not to call me this? It's very annoying.
What would the kid do if you were calling him "little ****"?
Tell his parents?
Since this is such a big deal I suggest you do what a kid would have the sense to do - tell his parents.
Technically, you are his uncle. It counts, even if it is by marriage. So don't be a nincompoop. Family is as family does.
This^^.
Much ado about nothing, OP.
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