To refuse to babysit my DD’s baby if she insists on naming him Wolfie??

[Jubillude]

Posting for traffic.

My DD (26) has just had her first baby boy. Lovely healthy little thing, I’m thrilled to be a grandma at last. I was over the moon when she asked if I’d help out with childcare now and then once she’s back at work. Of course I said yes, that’s what families do.

But then today she dropped the bombshell of what she’s naming him. Are you ready for this? Wolfie. 😳

Apparently it’s something to do with a “cool influencer” she follows (don’t ask me, I barely understand Instagram). I nearly choked on my tea when she said it. I honestly thought she was joking but no, she’s deadly serious. She’s filling in the birth certificate this week.

Now I don’t want to be cruel but it just sounds absolutely ridiculous. A baby, fine, but imagine a grown man introducing himself at a job interview as Wolfie. Or me at the WI trying to tell people I’m looking after Wolfie this afternoon. I can’t even say it without laughing.

I told her straight that if she insists on calling him that, I won’t be able to babysit. I simply couldn’t keep a straight face and I honestly think it’s cruel to saddle a child with a silly name just because it’s trendy 🙄. She accused me of being dramatic and old fashioned but honestly, has the world gone mad?

So AIBU to draw a line here, or is this as daft as I think?

And before anyone says I’m controlling, I KNOW it’s her baby and her choice. But surely grandparents are allowed to have a say when it’s something that could affect the child’s future?

What do you think?

I don't like the name either but her child, her choice. Also your choice not to babysit but it would be very sad not to have a relationship with your grandchild because of their name..

Wolfie is actually becoming a popular name. I have heard it a few times.
if you want to miss out on being a grandparent go ahead with refusing to babysit but the only one you are hurting is yourself.

Citizen Smith

Freedom for Tooting!

“Cool influencer”?
Choked on your tea?
Down the WI?

Next!

I know a few wolfies, it’s not uncommon now. It might sound strange to you but names are all relative, it wasn’t that long ago that ‘Fanny’ was a common name which would be laughed at now. Also there lots more multicultural names etc now. Times have changed, move on and stop being so judgmental.

You are correct that it’s a ridiculous name, but you will be cutting off your nose to spite your face if you refuse to spend time with your grandson because of it.

Suggest Wolfgang? Shortened to Wolfie for everyday but a grown up name when needed. itd not as if it's a new name.

"My darling grandson , oh yes, Wolfgang. Because he so adored classical when he was in utero"

As opposed to Wolfgang which is a perfectly normal name?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang

you ARE being controlling, judgmental, and really unkind. Your DD has just had a baby and you are laughing at her. I think it is probably for the best that you don’t do any childcare. You sound pretty toxic.

Haha, shades of Citizen Smith!
I'd say , "That's nice dear. How's little Wolfgang doing today? " Or "Power to the people!".
But seriously, you can say your'e not keen ONCE and then leave it at that. It's her choice, not yours.

I know a Wolfe spoken the same as wolfie , he’s 14 so not as unusual as you think. He’s a lovely boy, no one has ever questioned his name or raised an eyebrow!

You need to shut your mouth and I'm a grandma and didn't like the name Edith but it wasn't going to be my baby. You don't have a say.

I think Wolfgang is brilliant

He is her baby and no you don't have a say in whatever she calls him.
Fine not to lije his name but it is his name and if you want a relationship with him and your daughter you have to accept it
You are being unreasonable to refuse to look after him because you don't like his name.

Power to the People!
Suggest she gives him a "proper" name, like Wolfgang.
Actually, you could try saying "how lovely, just like Mozart.... that's very classical." to see if that puts her off.
Failing that, just do what Citizen Smith's M-i-L did and call him Foxy..... or Wilf as a PP suggested.

I see everyone else who remembers Citizen Smith posted while I was typing mine.

That's what popped into my head!

I think I'm the only other person on this thread old enough to get this reference. That was my first thought too!

You might not like the name but it’s not up to you. You say you’re not being controlling but you very much are. Have you thought what you’d do if she realises this and decides to cool your relationship with your grandchild to ease her stress? Be careful not to cut off your nose to spite your face.

How would you feel if your mother insisted you call your child something SHE preferred? Personally I think there are far worse names, and I’m not young either.

' But surely grandparents are allowed to have a say when it’s something that could affect the child’s future?'

Errr, no, you had that chance and raised a daughter who decided to call her baby Wolfie. That's on you and you have to live with it. Then you have to decide if you don't want to be involved in your grandsons life because you can't handle the conversation at your WI.

Maybe he'd be better off without tbh..

Yes this! My DS had a friend called Wilfie, but my ds called him Wolfie, not sure whether it was by accident or design…

It’s a bloody awful name but not worth ruing your family relationships over

This post reads like AI.