Children are kinda messy, a bit grimey, and a little mischevious… like goblins. As our kids grew we had nick-names for them and some of these evolved into a developmental progression of goblin-ness.
Here are the phases I have mapped so far :
1. 🥔 Potato
When humans are born… they’re kinda par-baked compared to other animals, as in they’re not ambulatory, and only just aware of their environment. Some people talk about this as the “fourth trimester”. Somewhat uncharitably I call this phase the Potato.
2. 👶 Chublin
Your goblin is somewhat active and has started looking a little rolley. They’ve got creases part way down their limbs, big cheeks, and very little neck to speak of.
Chubby goblin → Chublin.
3. 💩 Grublin
Your goblin has moved on to solids. They make a significantly larger mess consuming food, and their output is a new level of nasty.
Grubby goblin → Grublin
4. 👹 Grumplin
Your grublin is growing a lot (which hurts) and they’ve also developed enough theory of mind to realise they can say “No!”, and just straight up defy your requests.
Grumpy goblin → Grumplin
5. 👺 Squablin
Higher cognitive functions are online, your goblin can now make reasoned attacks on your authority.
Squabling goblin → Squablin
(click to expand)