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?

Interesting thought..... I have never met an adult Poppy......do they all change their name by deed poll as soon as they get to 18?

I know a Poppy in her thirties.

Came to say precisely this.

But that Wolfie is a nickname not his legal, registered name!

Wolfie was the first name of Robert Lindsay’s character in Citizen Smith, back in the 70s.

Would it be my choice of name for a child? No.

Would I risk cutting myself off from my child and grandchild, rather than accepting their choice of name for. their child? Of course not.

@Jubillude - which would be worse - calling your grandchild Wolfie, or not seeing f your grandchild? Are you going to cut off your nose to spite your face?

You lost me when you fretted about what the WI gang would think.

It’s not about blaming the baby it’s about trying to control her daughter’s choice. Op doesn’t like the name so by withholding the offer of babysitting Op is hoping her daughter will think she can’t possibly have a baby without her mums offer of babysitting so she will change her mind and call her baby something ‘normal’ and not as out there

Didn’t spot that line - OP is definitely pushing the BS with that one.

It is a truly awful name imo too but there isn’t a lot you can do. I do know of a grannie who managed to convince her dd of picking a different name for her baby so no harm in trying.

I know three adult Poppys: two are recent university graduates; one is a pensioner.

Sorry but this is surely an AI post? The way it is written is pure AI

The WI gang probably all have grandchildren called Marley, Bonnie, Teddy, Goldie, Lottie, Ronnie.

When Wolfie goes for a job interview he is much more likely to be up against any of the names I’ve listed above than someone called Richard.

I appreciate that your experience tells you this is a mistake and we are taught we need a ‘proper’ name to be taken seriously for a job but I think times have changed.

I would apologise and say you were surprised because you hadn’t heard it before but it’s grown on you already.

I know someone who called their child this. It’s awful isn’t it?

what on earth makes Poppy any more unusual or unsuitable a name than Rose, Lily, Daisy, Holly, etc?

What does the WI gang mean?

Women’s Institute

This post reads as if you’re 90. Pretending you can’t understand the concept of influencers or a social media app that’s been around for years whilst attending your WI meetings.

Surely you’re in your 40s-60s?

Is she giving him a sensible middle name? So if he becomes a rock star or gladiator he can be Wolf or Wolfie but if he wants to be an electrician or a doctor he can be Thomas?
YABU to say you won't look after him, that's so sad. But YANBU about it being a stupid name.

Refusing to provide childcare you've previously promised in an attempt to control the name parents give their child is absolutely pathetic.

You are really more concerned about being embarrassed in front of your friends that about whether you support your child and build a relationship with your grandchild?

Honestly, I'm lost for words. It's none of your business what name they pick, it simply isn't up to you.

I would raise an eyebrow, but then I’m a fan of giving children a “proper” name on their birth certificate, then diminishing it in everyday life if required.

So E.g. a Liam and a Wolfie would have, on their birth certificates, William and Wolfgang - Wolfgang being a perfectly acceptable German name.

You’re going to wave goodbye to a close relationship with your grandchild because he has a silly name? Well that’s an interesting life choice. And pretty hypocritical when it’s right up there on the list of ‘stupid things to do’ along with calling your child Wolfie.

Yes, it’s a silly name. But you had your go at naming a child and you get no say in naming anyone else’s. At best, you could talk to her and ask her if she’s thought about the limitations that name is going to put on him as he grows up? That he’s going to spend a lifetime being asked where the three little pigs are, and whether he’s huffed or puffed at anything lately. Ask her if she’s thought about using it as a nickname, but putting something different on his birth certificate, so if he wants to be taken seriously as a doctor or a lawyer, then he can be. But if she’s adamant, then you have no choice but to accept it and sod what the WI women think.

Princess Beatrice's stepson is called Wolfie

'Oh Wolfie'

Bloody loved that show

Yes he is called Wolfie, but his name is actually Christopher!

Years ago, acquaintance did the same. What? Wolfie? Er, that's an unusual choice 🙄 Not really, she said, my dad's German, as you know, his name is Wolfgang and it's just a shortened version of that. Which made sense. Wolfe with an umlaut.