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Original poster

Why can’t they spell my son’s name correctly

114 replies

Itstakeawaynight · 06/04/2024 18:24

Our son is 26. The shortened version of his name, which is the only version we’ve ever used since the day he was born has three letters. The female version has two letters.

My sister in law, every single time, every birthday card, every present label is always spelt the female way, with two letters. It’s really pissed me off over the years, but she’s highly sensitive to criticism so I’ve never corrected her. She’s still just done it again on his birthday. Would I be unreasonable to say something.

OP posts:
Copperoliverbear · 06/04/2024 22:44

I'm surprised you haven't done it before x

TeaKitten · 06/04/2024 22:40

He’s 26 and you’ve never corrected her, and now you want to have a strop about it?? Can your son not talk?

DrJoanAllenby · 06/04/2024 22:38

'so I’ve never corrected her.'

🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

HMW1906 · 06/04/2024 22:32

unless she’s only recently joined the family then you’ve let it go for 26 years, you would be unreasonable to try to correct it now, the right time to do it was 26 years ago

Youdontknowmedoyou · 06/04/2024 20:24

Two family members deliberately and maliciously did this to three of our children over the years. It was the tip of the iceberg.
Just let it wash, rise above it and don't entertain.

Whatifthehokeycokey · 06/04/2024 20:20

I think he's quite lucky she's still buying him presents at 26!

RomainesToBeSeen · 06/04/2024 20:15

We have several Olivers amongst extended family and friends that either go by Olly, Oly, Ollie, Oli or Olli.

To be honest I can never remember which is which and often send cards and hope for the best. 😂😂😂

Assuming that it's not meant maliciously I think you have to smile and let it go.

Greenflamesburn · 06/04/2024 20:11

Best one was the year my dad rang to ask how to spell my sisters name 🤐(mum was away we were both 18+) I told him to go upstairs and look at her old bedroom door, as her name was all over it 😂

IncognitoUsername · 06/04/2024 20:07

It’s a bit late to say something after 26 years. I get that it’s annoying - MIL always misses a letter out of DS name and adds a random extra letter to mine! DH has attempted to tell her but she just has it in her head that she’s right.
If your son is Joseph then I have a male relative who just uses Jo, so it wouldn’t have seemed wrong to me.

Berlinlover · 06/04/2024 20:02

My name gets spelled wrong all the time, it doesn’t bother me one bit.

Theoriginalmrscillianmurphy · 06/04/2024 20:00

I have a Niamh.

Pray for me.

NoSquirrels · 06/04/2024 19:58

Surely Joe can tell his aunt himself if he cares, which I very much doubt he does.

OP, you can save yourself the annoyance by not reading his birthday cards!

Gingerkittykat · 06/04/2024 19:54

My great aunt has always spelled my DDs name wrong. There are 2 common spellings of her name but she uses a completely different one!

We have a quick chuckle when we see the Xmas card spelt wrong but never correct her. We do always use the correct spelling of DDs name when sending her cards and it is on FB etc too.

OneTC · 06/04/2024 18:48

Nah you've needlessly endured it for 26 years, it'd be kind of weird to do it now

BIWI · 06/04/2024 18:46

You are being unreasonable for never having corrected her in the first place. Why are you asking now?!

ohtowinthelottery · 06/04/2024 18:45

I have a short name with 2 possible spellings. You'd be surprised how often I get a reply to an email (which I've signed with the correct spelling) with my name spelt with the incorrect spelling. I just laugh and reflect that the other person is either dyslexic or just lacks attention to detail.
After 60 years I can't really get worked up about it. Hopefully Joe feels the same!

LlynTegid · 06/04/2024 18:42

You should have said it years ago. Pointing out a mistake is not criticism. And if she is 'highly sensitive' that does not excuse silence.

Riverlee · 06/04/2024 18:41

Everydayimhuffling · 06/04/2024 18:35

If you've never corrected her, then how is she supposed to magically discover that she's doing it wrong? Why on earth didn't you correct her the first time, presumably when he was a baby? He's 26 now: if he cares then he can correct her himself.

About to post the same! If you’ve never corrected her, how was she to know it’s either the wrong spelling, or you’re upset by it?

MrsTerryPratchett · 06/04/2024 18:40

Greenflamesburn · 06/04/2024 18:35

My grandmother always put an E in my sons name. It should be an A. The one year she got it right she put a line though it and wrote it with an E underneath 😂
He still has that card from her, as she put a PS I finally spelt your name right, love the G'ma

Bless her that's adorable.

Everydayimhuffling · 06/04/2024 18:35

If you've never corrected her, then how is she supposed to magically discover that she's doing it wrong? Why on earth didn't you correct her the first time, presumably when he was a baby? He's 26 now: if he cares then he can correct her himself.

arethereanyleftatall · 06/04/2024 18:35

Your sil? As in your brothers wife? If so, maybe he could write the cards and sort the presents for his side of the family, rather than her doing it incorrectly. Your son could mention it to his uncle that he'd rather the presents came from him rather than with a letter missed out.

Greenflamesburn · 06/04/2024 18:35

My grandmother always put an E in my sons name. It should be an A. The one year she got it right she put a line though it and wrote it with an E underneath 😂
He still has that card from her, as she put a PS I finally spelt your name right, love the G'ma

Auburngal · 06/04/2024 18:35

At least you given your DS a standard name.

Its those normal names which parents give them a different spelling; On one forum, there was a poster - teacher and one of their pupils is called Katelan pronounced Caitlyn. FFS why give your kid a different spelling to the norm and the poor child has to spend half its life spelling their name out.

DiamondArtists · 06/04/2024 18:35

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

FlutteryButterfly · 06/04/2024 18:35

I was going to guess Joe/Jo too. Not helpful to the OP I know.