To think enough is enough?

[MrsMagooo]

DS is almost 5 months & has a strong, solid, albeit less common, bible name (old testement).

We knew that DHs Nan & Grandad wouldn't be keen on it but figured they would get used to it.

When DS was born & we announced his name DHs Nan said 'Well....it will take some getting used to' & DHs Grandad said 'I thought you would have called him something normal like Raymond'

Anywho - we figured after a few weeks they would get used to it.

Well we are almost 5 months down the line & they are still making a big issue of it.

DHs Nan refuses to say DSs name & always calls him 'the Baby' or 'that little fella' DHs Grandad always says to us 'Now, how do I pronounce it again?' it's really not a hard name to say/spell honest.

I've gritted my teeth until now but I am getting fed up with it.

We spent a long time choosing our sons name & I adore it, it suits him beautifully & will suit him all his life (I feel anyway)

I just think they are being damn rude now.

They can't keep calling him 'the baby'

I know that I should just be grateful that DS has great-grandparents & that in the grand scheme of things being reffered to as the 'little fella' is not so bad but it's really getting to me now.

They've had plenty of time to get used to it - it's almost like they think by keep going on about it we'll change his name!

Even MIL has said how daft it's getting now.

DH won't say anything as he doesn't see it as a big deal.

I don't like to shorten names & prefer DSs full name but have offered up the shortened version (even though I didn't want too) but they won't use that either.

So AIBU in thinking they should just get over it & start calling him by his name?

My real advice is to just start being very firm and consistent with them.

So every time they call him "the baby" or "titch" or whatever they say instead of Elijah, you should butt right in and say loudly, calmly and confidently "HIS NAME IS ELIJAH".

If they make remarks about not liking his name do not attempt to reply to these remarks in any way. Just repeat, loudly and calmly, "his name is Elijah".

If possible enlist your dh to say the same thing after you say it to re-inforce it.

Keep it simple for them and never get into any arguments or discussions about his name. they might be old dogs but you can still train 'em. Be persistent, consistent and calm and you will get there.

Elijah really is a lovely name. Nan and Grandad will realise eventually that you were right all along although obviously won't actually admit it. With enough persistent training they will probably think it is a brilliant name that they cleverly suggested to you in the first place. This is your ultimate goal and challenge for 2009. Good luck.

Thanks Podrick I shall make that my (one of many) NY resolution

I also think Elijah is a great name (with no difficulties on the pronounciation!) Good advice from Podrick there, I'd agree with it.

And at sphil's 'friend' (note the silly inverted commas ) - I'd have had to be prevented from decking someone who did that in front of me!

I'm with Podrick.

i think its a lovely name my daughter is called neve and my nan thought it was,nt a real name and where did i get a name like that from!but then she also said when i took her my scan picture is it a dog!!!??she was in her 80's so i let her off.apart from the fact its a lovely name they should respect your choice as its your child and certainly should,nt call him anything other than his proper name!

Ha ha - Elijah is now in our top 3 thanks to this thread. Stick that in the great-grandparents pipe and tell them to smoke it

Thanks!

I love the name Elijah!

We had to give ds a nickname as my MIL kept referring to him as Borg. His first name being the same as that of a rather well known tennis player. Purely coincidental, I never watch tennis if I can help it.

Put a sticker with his name on his chest every time you see them! even if they pronounce it phonetically they won't be far wrong and it's got to be better than "the baby". Might get the point across!

Tell them that as they can't pronounce it you are now considering changing his name to Zxwcksi (it really is the only other name you and dh like) and ask them which would they find easier/prefer?