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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Husband won’t call grandchild by his name

582 replies

Blyther · 29/10/2023 22:18

our grandchild (5 months) has an unusual name. It’s a made up name which is a bit ‘out there’- think along the lines of ‘starry-Skye’ or ‘misty-bridge’. Our daughter in law is a bit whacky.

It’s of course entirely up to the parents to choose the name of their child but my husband won’t even say his name as it makes him cringe so much. He refers to the baby as ‘the little one’ or will call him by his middle name.

It’s now become apparent to the parents how he refuses to use his name and it’s causing an atmosphere. I just don’t know what to say to them as I completely understand his point and feel very sorry about the potential bullying he (the baby) is likely to encounter further down the road.

Advice on moving forward please.

OP posts:
AnnieSnap · 31/10/2023 22:21

Blyther · 31/10/2023 22:18

The parents insist on calling him Dixie-Moon-Beam

This is starting to sound like a wind-up 🙄

DreamTheMoors · 31/10/2023 22:24

Blyther · 31/10/2023 22:10

The name is Dixie-Moon-Beam, his surname rhymes with beam - like a river.

Thank you for all the comments. Sadly neither my husband or I have mastered saying his full name with a straight face. We will continue to call him ‘baby moonie’ or ‘little one’ until things reach crisis point. I guess then we will have to reassess and think of a new strategy going forward.

Yeah. Like never seeing your grandchildren.

I had a granny like you, and by the time I was 8 I avoided her like the plague.

Way to go laughing at a child and mocking your daughter-in-law but not your son, who had an equal hand in naming the baby.

You give mothers-in-law their shitty reputation - good job.

Springforward1 · 31/10/2023 22:41

Like previous posters I'd say Dixie is a reasonable choice.
I've no doubt it will be 'elaborated' on at school although that remains to be seen. The full name is utterly ridiculous. It's no wonder your both feeling it on behalf of your grandchild. He will either change it or refuse to use it unless of course his nature is as absurd as the name then he may well love it. I'd call him Dixie & ignore the rest then hopefully everyone else will eventually follow. 😁

Springforward1 · 31/10/2023 22:45

AnnieSnap · 31/10/2023 22:21

This is starting to sound like a wind-up 🙄

Show quote history

My thoughts too. I still contributed my thoughts just in case cause I've heard worse 🤦‍♀️🤣

Cottipus · 31/10/2023 22:46

Just call him Dixie. It’s quite a cute name on its own for a little baby.

My boys have long, traditional names with plenty of shortened versions and family members sometimes use those. It’s not a problem if they call Frederick “Fred” instead (just an example, not the real name).

Moveoverdarlin · 31/10/2023 22:56

So his full name is Dixie Moon Beam Stream?? Good grief, that is bloody awful.

In that case ignore my initial post where I called your husband ignorant. I’m doing an about turn. I don’t think many grandparents could get on board with that. No wonder you can’t say it.

Tourmalines · 31/10/2023 23:00

So you have to refer to his full name every time because that’s what they want ? That’s ridiculous. I’d be laughing too. Just call him Dixie . I’m agreeing with your husband on this one !!

LulooLemon · 31/10/2023 23:06

What a name!

Springforward1 · 31/10/2023 23:07

Moveoverdarlin · 31/10/2023 22:56

So his full name is Dixie Moon Beam Stream?? Good grief, that is bloody awful.

In that case ignore my initial post where I called your husband ignorant. I’m doing an about turn. I don’t think many grandparents could get on board with that. No wonder you can’t say it.

Sorry OP but I laughed out loud at this post. I totally get your DH feelings. I'm now not sure I could even say Dixie without laughing. Please let us know if this is a wind-up. If it is your forgiven cause it really has given me a good laugh 🤦‍♀️🤣

LoveLifeBeHappy · 31/10/2023 23:09

Sarahzb · 29/10/2023 22:24

Tell him to do one

Very helpful, thank you for your contribution.

LoveLifeBeHappy · 31/10/2023 23:12

Blyther · 31/10/2023 22:18

The parents insist on calling him Dixie-Moon-Beam

I do feel for the kid. The child is going to be ridiculed at school. Hopefully, they'll just use Dixie.

Falzarega · 31/10/2023 23:17

Dixie Moon Beam?

For real?

Ok if that is the name nickname the poor kid Dee or Zee (as in DixZee) or Bea.

Desperatenow1 · 31/10/2023 23:29

Funny now posters actually know the name, they are kind of agreeing that it's ridiculous and you should now shorten it to just the first bit rather than calling him by the full name! Such a change of heart 😬

Honestly this has been one of the most ridiculous posts I have seen on here. OP you have taken an awful lot of stick to which you have been most gracious and not risen.

I am still with your husband, I couldn't get any of that name past my lips and I have yet to meet anyone who could.....maybe it is the company I keep but everyone I know who be rolling around the floor at that!

I honestly don't know what I would call the child if it were my grandchild.....and just hope to god I am never put in that position.

LadyThatLaunches · 31/10/2023 23:29

Dixie Fucking Moon Beam!!! 😳

The parents need sectioned. It sounds like a Bowie song.

Snowdayplease · 31/10/2023 23:35

DreamTheMoors · 31/10/2023 22:24

Yeah. Like never seeing your grandchildren.

I had a granny like you, and by the time I was 8 I avoided her like the plague.

Way to go laughing at a child and mocking your daughter-in-law but not your son, who had an equal hand in naming the baby.

You give mothers-in-law their shitty reputation - good job.

Show quote history

Don't be ridiculous.
This is a name requiring an intervention, not a bitten tongue.

saraclara · 31/10/2023 23:46

Not calling him by his name is going to pale into insignificance now that you've outed his name, and consequently his parents.

I'd go into hiding if I were you

pineapplecrushed · 31/10/2023 23:56

I'm sympathetic to him. Name your kid stupid names and expect people to hate saying them.

HairyBanana · 31/10/2023 23:59

Dixie is a lovely name. I used to work with a sweet old chap with that name - I think it was a nickname but it was used by everyone and was on his work name bagde. He was a well travelled military veteran with wonderful tales to tell and he was full of charm, someone my gran (age 106) would call a "proper gentleman". Maybe one day your grandson will inspire similar love and respect and will people laugh at his name? I think not.

bemusedmoose · 01/11/2023 00:10

He's being really childish! Doesnt matter if he likes the name or not - use it because that is what he is called.

Medlady · 01/11/2023 00:21

‘Dix’ isn’t bad

Snowdayplease · 01/11/2023 00:27

I could learn to like Dixie, it's the rest of it that's the issue imo.
Op it that's his real name you really should get the thread deleted before the DM arrive.

PlantsHaveTakenOverMyHome · 01/11/2023 00:44

I had a cat called Dixie... This has to be a wind up as I refuse to believe any ordinary couple that didn't absolutely hate their offspring would saddle the poor little sod with it! 😂

MaydinEssex · 01/11/2023 00:47

Blyther · 29/10/2023 22:43

Honestly he can’t, he’s tried practicing with just me

Show quote history

Please just say the name of this poor child!

looking4pup · 01/11/2023 00:52

Oh I was convinced it was Button.

looking4pup · 01/11/2023 00:53

Medlady · 01/11/2023 00:21

‘Dix’ isn’t bad

It's not how you spell it though is it?

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