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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think sil is selfish and unthoughtful?

41 replies

smileygrapefruit · 20/12/2015 15:35

Dd2 is 4 weeks old. When she was born I sent an email to mine and dh' s siblings announcing the birth (the usual: name, weight, time etc). We chose Petunia would be her MIDDLE name.The response I got from sil was "I'm very disappointed with the Petunia", that was it, no congratulations or anything. I responded with something along the lines of "wtaf? What are you on about?" She said she couldn't believe we'd called her that as she'd told us ages ago their first daughter would be called Lily. Have changed the names for anonymity but basically they are both flowers but that is as much as they have in common. Neither me, dh or my parents remember her sharing her chosen future name, nor do any of us see any similarity between the names, nor do they have any children yet. She went on to block me on Facebook so I messaged my db asking what the hell was going on and he (has no backbone) told me to give it a few days as sil is very upset about it so I should give her time to calm down. Really?! I genuinely couldn't see an issue with the names and was absolutely livid about her response to our good news (had two miscarriages last year) but I'm the one that should give her some time then get in touch?! Any way, I didn't hear anything for a week so I did message her (I don't want to fall out with family), I explained it was her middle name so wouldn't even really be used, and that I just didn't understand the problem and basically we just agreed to disagree and to forgive and forget. The thing is I can't shake the feeling that she was the only one any way in the wrong and now I see her as a very self centred, selfish person. Am I bu to let this taint my view of her and still be pissed off?

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 20/12/2015 16:23

totally insane

the names arent even the same and one is middle

yes she may be ttc and doesnt want q asked all the time, but even so to be this ott a name that isnt even the same is silly

tell db to grow some balls

AdjustableWench · 20/12/2015 16:24

Your SIL is being ridiculous. My SIL named her DD the same name as my DD and there's never been any problem with it - my DD sees a lot of her cousin and they like having the same name. There were very good reasons why they have the same name - it's a family name in both families. I know other families too where this happens: my friend's mother and her first cousin have different versions of the same name (think Liz and Beth, but a different name). In any case, I don't know why anyone would think they have a right to 'reserve' a name. Maybe your SIL will eventually have a couple of boys!

Salene · 20/12/2015 16:24

She sound a complete loony tune to be honest.

AdjustableWench · 20/12/2015 16:27

Sorry - meant to add AND YOUR DD'S NAME ISN'T EVEN THE SAME ONE YOUR SIL WANTED! So she's just plain nuts.

Champagneformyrealfriends · 20/12/2015 16:27

Anti that was the first thing I thought too Grin

Dipankrispaneven · 20/12/2015 16:30

So for all she knows she'll never have a daughter, but you have to keep off flower-related names for ever? That's batshit. I have to say that I neither know nor care what my nephews' and nieces' middle names are.

smileygrapefruit · 20/12/2015 16:31

Almost positive they aren't having issues or have had any miscarriages but even if they had, a simple congrats would have been fine. I managed that much when me and DH were going through it. My parents thought she was being utterly ridiculous and they never talk badly of anyone.

OP posts:
Antimobiles · 20/12/2015 16:37

It goes to highlight the sad fact, human beings have such highly over inflated egos. All this angst over nothing! God knows what she'll do if she never has a daughter, OR you choose the same school she had earmarked! the same christening dress she'd been eyeing up, nursery etc where will it end!

SmallLegsOrSmallEggs · 20/12/2015 16:39

Yup. Batshit.
I'd find it hard not to slyly wind her up.
E.g. send her lillies and say hope you like the petunias etc.
We were thinking of tai8ng dd to baby massage but not if you have already decided you are taking your as yet to be conceived dc to bm. Wouldn't want to tread on your toes and having you chuck another wobbly....

Ffs. I knew someone who called both their sons the same fucking name. Same dad. Different mums. Same name. Different spelling. (One of which isn't even a proper spelling)

Tell her if that is the biggest thing she has to worry about then she is truly blessed with a happy life.

smileygrapefruit · 20/12/2015 16:43

I secretly now want her to only have boys as she's so set on her (boring, mainstream but obviously very original and unique) girls name. Does that make me a bad person?! Haha

OP posts:
Antimobiles · 20/12/2015 16:44

Small what a coincidence, I have two SIL's with exact name, same dad different mums, they seemed to have survived.

Potatoface2 · 20/12/2015 16:57

i think there are more issues than the baby name....maybe shes desperate for a baby but cant concieve...there could be many problems that you are unaware of marriage probs, fertility, not being able to afford it...unfortunately there's not a lot you can do except try to carry on as normal....congrats on your new baby though!

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 20/12/2015 16:58

Wow! Just wow!

It's not at all unusual to have people with the same name in families...
Especially when it's a family name traditionally given.... Knew a jean-michel, in his immediate family, his dad was J-M, his grandad took - all same surname. His maternal uncle was also J-M.. Altho different surname.... They managed without the sky falling in... When all were together people just used different forms... Wasn't difficult...

Seems some people are intent on making a fuss!

CoffeeCoffeeAndLotsOfIt · 20/12/2015 17:46

YANBU. She's being absolutely ridiculous.

Good luck in the future with her - I think you're going to need it!

Congrats on your new baby

smileygrapefruit · 20/12/2015 19:24

The more I re-read her messages the more I think what a self obsessed person she really is. After I contacted my brother to ask what was going on (because she was ignoring my messages) she messaged me saying how dare I contact 'her husband' and make myself out to be the victim....excuse me he was my brother before your husband! actually I would happily not have her in our lives but I love my brother and it would be very sad to lose that relationship, and they're the girls aunt and uncle.

OP posts:
CoffeeCoffeeAndLotsOfIt · 20/12/2015 20:14

Keep contacting your brother as you would normally. If she doesn't like it, that is her problem and hers alone.

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