[gpjt]

For me, the OP's use of the word "child" to describe a 19-year-old seems to bolster your point. If a parent automatically uses that word (rather than the more age-neutral "son" or something similar) it makes me think they're infantilising the person in question.

[elefanten]

Fair point, though the post is written in gender neutral language, perhaps to shield privacy. In that context, “child” is probably the most natural word to use?

[jay_kyburz]

I had a similar reaction, but on reflection, I think if I were trying to describe my relationship with adults I am a parent of, I would still have to describe them as children.

[theGnuMe]

Adult children is the vernacular.

[Daviey]

And the inverse is?

I don't think I agree that this is common language.

The simple form of relationship is "our children" or "my parents", clarifying the age bracket isn't normally used. I say this as someone with 2 children, one is 19.

In some contexts I may describe my parents as "my elderly parents", but only if the age context is relevant.

[dgfitz]

> And the inverse is?

Infant? Toddler? Young child? Tween? Teenager?

Really?

[Daviey]

Inverse means opposite, but I'll pretend you answered the question.

So you'd introduce every time, as your (infant|toddler|young child|tween|teenager|adult|senior|elderly) child? Because that seems odd.

Yes, really.

[aeonik]

Offspring is the word I would use. I use the word Spawn in casual settings though.

[throwawayigd]

the word "child" was used since I wanted to use a gender neutral language and "offspring" is not a word that came to mind. "kid" would have been equally bad.

[coffeeman6]

I think they are going for gender neutral language.

[HenryBemis]

I will take the word "child" from the context that "hey I'm the parent, they are the child".

Also, I'm over 40, and I can say that at 19 I thought I was god/king/etc. and looking bad I am thinking that "damn I was soooOOOOOooo stupid!!". So yeah, at 19 kids are still morons. They may get some things right, but hey, there is a reason that many of us feel that we are (still) learning and (still) have a lot to learn about life at our 40s, 50s, 60s.