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AIBU?

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Husband calling me by name in front of kids

179 replies

Minniemousse8 · 16/03/2025 07:46

My husband has gradually started calling me by my name when talking to our kids. For example, ‘Can you tell Helen that dinner is ready’ instead of ‘Can you tell mum’. Not all the time, but much more frequently.

I feel quite an emotional reaction to this. Like it’s somehow a demotion of parental status - as if I’m their step-mum (I am a step-mum also), or some lady down the road.

I’ve asked him to please not do it and explained why, but it’s obvious he feels I am overreacting and it frustrates him that I care.

AIBU to want him to cut this out? Or am I over sensitive?

OP posts:
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janj52301 · 20/03/2025 08:44

I'd have no probs, both my girls went through phases of calling by my name, just left them to it. What I really HATE is DH calling me mum 20 years after the girls left home.

WorkItUpYourBangle · 19/03/2025 00:00

carrotsandtomatoes · 18/03/2025 14:21

I find it so peculiar that you think there is some conscious motive to a man referring to his partner by her name to their kids. I do it all the time. I have no ulterior motive. Sometimes I say ‘could you ask your dad to….’ Other times I say ‘would you pass this on to David’
(my dh name isn’t really David 😂)

Aye but did 'David' tell you several times that it hurts his feelings and to stop doing it? No because you likely would have. This guy didn't and that's the difference. Once is a mistake, repeatedly after being corrected and explained to, is a choice.

Minniemousse8 · 18/03/2025 21:42

Thanks for all your messages. I’ve taken them on board. I’m glad a lot of you can understand my sensitivity around it.

I’m minded to probe a bit more about why he’s doing it (next time he does it) and try and explain how it feels to him. I sense he feels a bit got at, at the moment, so I’ll tread lightly.

And no, there’s definitely no affair!

I won’t be posting further. Thanks again. ❤️

OP posts:
Minniemousse8 · 18/03/2025 21:33

sellotapechicken · 18/03/2025 19:44

Given that you’ve drip fed that he has cognitive issues after a surgery I think you should give him a bit of a break

I always find this whole dripfeeding complaint a bit much. It didn’t occur to me that it was relevant and if it didn’t occur to me, then it’s not as if it’s deliberate. As I’ve said his mild cognitive impairment has never manifested in this way. It manifests in a very particular, different way. In all other ways, he is in very good form.

OP posts:
sellotapechicken · 18/03/2025 19:44

Given that you’ve drip fed that he has cognitive issues after a surgery I think you should give him a bit of a break

Ilovecleaning · 18/03/2025 19:29

Supershiny · 18/03/2025 08:37

We are a mixed family of birth, step and foster kids. My middle birth child (38) has always called me by my first name and now my grandchildren call me a mixture of Gran, first name and various pet names. I really have no issue what I am called, I’m the mother and grandmother, all loved equally. 🥰

Yes, that’s fine but the OP isn’t happy with this. If you don’t mind, that’s great.

NotVeryFunny · 18/03/2025 16:26

MolkosTeenageAngst · 16/03/2025 07:52

How old are your kids? I’d see a big difference between doing this in front of a four year old (odd and I can see why you’re upset) and doing it with teen or adult DC (no big deal).

It would still be weird. If I talk to my adult DS about his dad (we are not together), I call him “your dad”. It would be weird to call him “Alastair” as that’s not what my DS calls him.

Ilovecleaning · 18/03/2025 16:18

justanotherimperfectmum2025 · 18/03/2025 15:32

I got completely ripped to shreds for calling my Auntie Carol just ‘Carol’ by my Dad, so ‘titles’ are definitely important to some people

Yes. Titles are important to a lot of people and they do suggest respect. Tbh I find people whose children call them by their first names have their heads up their arses, think they are so special and they can be quite superior.

Ilovecleaning · 18/03/2025 16:13

carrotsandtomatoes · 18/03/2025 14:24

It’s not denying anything 😂
it’s also not disrespectful. Referring to their mother as ‘that bitch’ would be disrespectful. But their name? Nah. That’s just normal.

use of a title is not the singular means by which we denote a role. You don’t cease to be a mother by not being called ‘mum’. It’s ridiculous to suggest this in any way denies a role

  • odd that you find my comment about denying parent- child relationship screamingly funny with an emoji to make your reaction clear
  • I did not say it is disrespectful to call a parent by their first name
  • You cannot compare referring to someone as “that bitch” and using their first name. Worlds apart.
  • “use of a title is not the singular means…” Really? Well, blow me down; I’d never have thought of that all by myself.
Technonan · 18/03/2025 15:56

It wouldn't bother me.

justanotherimperfectmum2025 · 18/03/2025 15:32

carrotsandtomatoes · 18/03/2025 14:24

It’s not denying anything 😂
it’s also not disrespectful. Referring to their mother as ‘that bitch’ would be disrespectful. But their name? Nah. That’s just normal.

use of a title is not the singular means by which we denote a role. You don’t cease to be a mother by not being called ‘mum’. It’s ridiculous to suggest this in any way denies a role

I got completely ripped to shreds for calling my Auntie Carol just ‘Carol’ by my Dad, so ‘titles’ are definitely important to some people

Owl55 · 18/03/2025 14:50

Has he got your replacement lined up by any chance and doesn’t want to get the names mixed up?

carrotsandtomatoes · 18/03/2025 14:24

Ilovecleaning · 17/03/2025 21:22

I can’t believe that 30% think YABU. It’s really off to do this. I’ve never heard anyone do this - apart from a couple I knew who insisted their kids cal them by their first names - which I find really weird. I think it is denying the parent- child relationship.
you need to put your foot down and make it clear that he stops doing it NOW.
tbh your DH sounds a bit of a knob.

It’s not denying anything 😂
it’s also not disrespectful. Referring to their mother as ‘that bitch’ would be disrespectful. But their name? Nah. That’s just normal.

use of a title is not the singular means by which we denote a role. You don’t cease to be a mother by not being called ‘mum’. It’s ridiculous to suggest this in any way denies a role

carrotsandtomatoes · 18/03/2025 14:21

WorkItUpYourBangle · 18/03/2025 12:25

I've called my mum by her first name all my life because she has treated me differently to my siblings and I never felt like she was a real mum. No one else has ever referred to her as her name to me though. They've always said your mum. So even to me this seems weird. I would never call my husband by his name to the kids. He isn't doing it unconsciously. Men lie about the things they do all the time as if they can't help it.

I find it so peculiar that you think there is some conscious motive to a man referring to his partner by her name to their kids. I do it all the time. I have no ulterior motive. Sometimes I say ‘could you ask your dad to….’ Other times I say ‘would you pass this on to David’
(my dh name isn’t really David 😂)

WorkItUpYourBangle · 18/03/2025 12:25

I've called my mum by her first name all my life because she has treated me differently to my siblings and I never felt like she was a real mum. No one else has ever referred to her as her name to me though. They've always said your mum. So even to me this seems weird. I would never call my husband by his name to the kids. He isn't doing it unconsciously. Men lie about the things they do all the time as if they can't help it.

Missj25 · 18/03/2025 08:51

What matters is that you have said to him , you don’t like it & he still does it !

anareen · 18/03/2025 08:40

I would think he is looking for a reaction out f you. This makes no sense. Why would he slowly start doing this

Supershiny · 18/03/2025 08:37

We are a mixed family of birth, step and foster kids. My middle birth child (38) has always called me by my first name and now my grandchildren call me a mixture of Gran, first name and various pet names. I really have no issue what I am called, I’m the mother and grandmother, all loved equally. 🥰

Christwosheds · 18/03/2025 08:32

I would hate this. I am Chris to many people, but only my two dds get to call me Mum. I will be their Mum however old they get.
I would pick him up on it every time. One mistake would be understandable, repeatedly doing it is weird. There must be some reason he isn’t acknowledging?

Shotokan101 · 18/03/2025 00:38

Oh, and just tell him to stop - period!

Shotokan101 · 18/03/2025 00:37

Just give him a really stupid nickname and use that with the kids....

Thirteenblackcat · 18/03/2025 00:18

Rockchicknana · 17/03/2025 18:36

So you'd rather your mum referred to him by his name when talking to you? I find that odd tbh. For instance I might say to my son 'have you spoken to your Dad lately?' Not 'have you spoken to TwattyMcTwatface lately?'

No, I want her to refer to him as Dad when she speaks about him to me. I was saying the OPs husband is disrespectful

Ilovecleaning · 17/03/2025 21:22

I can’t believe that 30% think YABU. It’s really off to do this. I’ve never heard anyone do this - apart from a couple I knew who insisted their kids cal them by their first names - which I find really weird. I think it is denying the parent- child relationship.
you need to put your foot down and make it clear that he stops doing it NOW.
tbh your DH sounds a bit of a knob.

GrannyHelen1 · 17/03/2025 21:13

I had the opposite problem. My first children were born in the 1960s and called me by my first name. Quite the thing in those days. When I married for the second time and had another couple of children, my husband hated any of them calling me by name and sabotaged it by always referring to me as Mum or Mummy. For a few years the older ones stuck it out, but gradually over the years 'Mum' crept in and I lost my personal identity and became a generic parent. I never forgave him.

justanotherimperfectmum2025 · 17/03/2025 19:55

It’s a sign of disrespect and undermining you as a parent. Unless you are their Stepparent, (I call my SM by her first name and only call my biological mum ‘mum’. Otherwise the kids will start calling you by your real name. The fact that you have asked him not to do it, but he continues is another telltale sign he’s disrespecting you!

YANBU!!

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