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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think if my DP is happy his DM should respect that

33 replies

CustardCreamer · 20/10/2025 12:40

DP and I have been together for 6 years, no kids. We're getting married next summer, all going well, excited making plans etc

My DP is one of three brothers, one of whom is married and has children. I've got 1 married sister who took her husband's name.

My DP has a surname plus first/surname combination that he has said for years he's not keen on. It's a surname that's not super unusual but resulted in lots of teasing at school and he just doesn't like it. This is totally his view, not mine imposed on him. I was happy to take his name, I don't have a similarly conflicting first name and didn't have the teasing at school, I'd not got as far as thinking how it would affect our children though.

My DP spoke to my parents about taking their surname, to ask if they'd be ok with that. His reasoning is he doesn't want our kids to have to deal with the same teasing. His family name will continue through his brothers and his brother's kids and my family name which he likes would come to an end with me taking his

My parents were understandably touched by his ask, I'd be happy to keep mine but his mother's gone ballistic. Saying I've poisoned her son against them and she could see this coming and how my parents must have sown the seed and put him under pressure and how he's never mentioned this to her before now etc etc.

He's now thinking of going back on it all to only keep his mother happy but I must admit, having now had this as an option discussed I think it's the right decision

I don't really want to have separate surnames, not even sure how that would work with kids, who's surname would they take? if we did go separate and the kids took my name I could 100% see this being an even bigger deal to her at that point.

Should I tell her to back off? Should I encourage my DP and support him in telling her to back off?

Such a stupid drama!

OP posts:
whatafaf · 20/10/2025 13:53

I’d really want to know if he corrected her at all. Her saying these things about you and your family doesn’t bode well for the future. Part of me thinks he should be dealing with this without your involvement. Equally I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a response along the lines of your OP and how touched you and your family were when DP brought this suggestion to you and how disappointed you are in her reaction and the feelings she’s expressed about you and your family.

Toadetta · 20/10/2025 13:55

"Mil, I would have been happy either way. It's DH's choice." And repeat

OriginalUsername2 · 20/10/2025 13:59

If mum throws a tantrum and he backs down, that’s something to worry about. Let her be upset, she’ll live.

MissDoubleU · 20/10/2025 14:00

My male DP is taking my name when we marry. There’s no reason this shouldn’t be totally normal. His mother needs to chill out, it’s nothing to do with her.

MissDoubleU · 20/10/2025 14:01

OriginalUsername2 · 20/10/2025 13:59

If mum throws a tantrum and he backs down, that’s something to worry about. Let her be upset, she’ll live.

Agree with this. If he’s going to mend to mummy’s wishes every time she throws a strop it’s a red flag. I’d bring this to him as a serious concern. He’s living his life, not hers.

BauhausOfEliott · 20/10/2025 14:06

Your DP is perfectly entitled to call himself whatever he bloody wants.

His mother is perfectly entitled not to be happy about it, but that shouldn't a) result in her being a dick to him and to you about it or b) affect his decision in any way. She needs to keep her feelings to herself; it's none of her business. And he needs to tell her that.

It's getting more popular for men to take their wife's name these days. Until recently I'd never met anyone who had done it, but I know three different men now who made that choice - all for slightly different reasons I think.

skyeisthelimit · 20/10/2025 14:06

Presumably he told his mother it was 100% his choice when she went mental at him? Why did he allow her to have a go at you and your parents when it is his decision?

I can understand her being hurt by it, but he really does need to make it clear that it is what he wants.

ThatBlackCat · 20/10/2025 15:48

He sounds like a cowardly little mummy's boy, I'd see this as a red flag warning and get away from him, if he wavers. You also haven't said if he defended you to his mother's unfounded accusations against you. If he didn't stand up for you then you know where you stand. A good decent man would have read her the riot act. If you marry this manchild of a mummy's boy you will be stuck in a marriage where he hasn't got your back and kowtows to his mum's every whim and outburst, leaving you continually isolated and the bad guy. He doesn't sound like he'll ever prioritise you or even have your back. Take this as a forewarning of how your life and marriage will be, and leave before you're on here again 2 years time again about your batshit MIL and your husband not defending you.

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