When he is talking to his son about the dead ants

I'm a woman who has raised 2 children and there is nothing strange or sickening about using a term of endearment towards a young child. Would you rather the dad called him something derogatory? Is that more acceptable to you? Maybe there is something wrong with you that you are projecting onto this situation.

Have you ever been a father?
Or a son?
Or a human? 

I do the same thing, and I've always considered it to be sort of a southern thing. My extended family is from the south and we have always called our children "honey", or even "sweetie". There is nothing strange about it.

My father still calls me "big boy" and I'm a father now. When you're a parent, you just kinda always see your child as a baby or a precious thing you have to take care of. Whatever age they may be, they're still "my baby".

 me.

It was very weird and I know for damn sure if I was the little boy I would say dad don't call me that!