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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

How do you compromise on baby names?

138 replies

BraveLilBear · 09/07/2013 13:25

Hello - I'm looking for some un-hormonally fuelled perspective please!

We're still undecided on my/our first child's name (DP has 11yo son already), and at 38 weeks plus twinges, time is running out. My DP has set his heart on a particular name for a boy. It's old English and means 'intelligent', but is more commonly known as a surname, or a place name in the USA and in the north of England.

It doesn't feel right to me at all, and given that DP is also refusing to let baby have my surname as an additional middle name (tho has conceded to let it have one of my family first names as a middle name), it just doesn't feel right to me at all - I imagined going to the doctors and having my child's name called and it would feel like it wasn't my child.

The name is ok, but I think it sounds a bit daft and is too 'big' a name to hang on a newborn who has to get through primary and secondary school intact. If it wanted to be a lawyer, journalist, doctor etc it would sound great, but I worry it'll have a negative experience in childhood that would stop it wanting to achieve IYSWIM.

Thing is, DP is exceptionally stubborn and is also very selfish. I can't use the name here because he'll be able to ID me.

Every alternative I suggest, he hates, or at least says he does.

It's getting to the point now that I'm dreading my child being a boy - because I don't want the fight that will be inevitable.

I absolutely love the name we have in mind for a girl - now he's saying he'll only 'let me' name her that if I agree to the boy's name he likes.

Help?!

OP posts:
katehastried · 09/07/2013 22:33

You poor thing. I'm sorry you are realising that this man is really NOT a good thing for you.

I left a controlling man when my children were older. I wish I'd left before. I would still have had my beautiful babies but they wouldn't have known the trauma of separation when they were older. I think I always knew I would leave eventually. I wish I had been stronger and not so scared of being on my own. It's OK on my own. :) I get to say / wear / watch / listen to what I want.

51% sucks. I am 100% fabulous and I'm lucky to live with ME. ;)

Whatwouldyousay · 09/07/2013 22:37

OP now that I have the name I'm gobsmacked.

Over and above your other issues with your DP, let's focus on the naming of your baby.

In order to get your DP to see sense, I would suggest asking his 11 year old DS how he would react if a boy of that name joined his class.

Job done!!

SlumberingDormouse · 09/07/2013 22:56

I actually like the name, but then I have a very weird old-fashioned taste in names. My DP (who is half American) said immediately, 'That's a very black name.' Hmm

But this is irrevelant; you don't like it and that's what matters. Might your DH be more amenable after you've been through labour?! Could you use -the name that must not be named- as a middle name perhaps, or use a stately name/Middle English name/another one meaning 'intelligent'? There are other surnames that I like too which could suffice.

WhiteBirdBlueSky · 09/07/2013 23:01

The name is irrelevant.

If I were the OP I would be upset that people were PMing the name when I had specifically said I was fearful of being identified.

clam · 09/07/2013 23:01

You simply cannot name a child something you dislike. You are going to be yelling calling that name out thousands and thousands of times over a lifetime. And with this one, you'll be cringing Every. Single. Time.

BraveLilBear · 10/07/2013 09:33

Thanks all for your thoughts. Had an interesting discussion last night in which I repeatedly asked him 'do you want to be with me? ' he wouldn't give me an answer. Eventually he said maybe.

I feel numb.. I always felt that it was the love I felt for DP and he for me that would get me through labour. If that's gone, I don't know how I'll cope with childbirth let alone the life that comes after.

I feel very alone right now. Almost wish I was still at work so I could distract myself!

Re the names, I'm stepping up the search so we have a list again, for a boy or a girl.

OP posts:
HotDAMNlifeisgood · 10/07/2013 09:34

"Maybe"?

Leave him. tosser.

And no need to "compromise" on names anymore.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 10/07/2013 09:42

I repeatedly asked him 'do you want to be with me? ' he wouldn't give me an answer. Eventually he said maybe.

Sad Angry

OP, please, before your baby arrives, think very carefully. Weigh up who you can rely on, where they are, what you can do. This man is not good for you.

EachAndEveryHighway · 10/07/2013 09:59

I'm sorry to hear about this bear, when your feeling hormonal and nervous anyway so near the birth this is the last thing you need. Do you have any RL support nearby? I know you said your parents are some distance away - is there anyone else?

I know it's difficult to find the energy, but could you join an antenatal group just to give you something else to focus on other than your DP's prattishness. Aquanatal swimming or yoga or something like that?

Here are some Flowers and I wish you peace and strength.

Zyn · 10/07/2013 10:08

You don't need to compromise any more bear. Your choice. Your sur name. I understand that you're vulnerable being 38 weeks pregnant, but tell your health nurse/mw what's going on.

How can he believe he has the right to bully you so completely (first name and sur name) when he isn't committed to you. Sad But he sounds a tosser and it's a good thing he's not committed to you. The commitment of such a controlling person would engulf you. Good luck to you and your baby.

Zyn · 10/07/2013 10:11

Can you go back to your family after the baby is born?

There really is no point starting out as a family with a man who won't commit to you and wants to bulldoze over you at every point.... It will be better for you and your baby to start off with the people you can rely on. People who if asked if they love you and want to have you in their lives will instantly without hesitation say "of course !!". If those people are your mum, or a sister....... then please lean on them after your baby is born, even if it means travelling / relocation.

Zyn · 10/07/2013 10:13

ps, did you see Gillian mckeith on the get me out of the jungle programme? she got through labour twice!

OxfordBags · 10/07/2013 10:14

I've been lurking, because I saw your OP and thought "As this goes on, she's going to reveal more and more examples of him being an abuser", and, as my advice is always v blunt, I didn't want to barge in commenting on very little info.

Brave, you should name your child Massive Red Flags, because everything you write about this man is a massive red flag. Classic, classic signs, actons and words of an abuser. He's not even original. Abuse very often worsens or becomes more apparent during pregnancy or after childbirth.

He seems to be using you to work through his anger at his ex and his displeasure at the name choice of his other child (I bet no name compromise would've been good enough then either). This is a metaphor for how he, like all abusers, treat their partners - you are merely an object, a conduit, through which he gets what he wants, takes his temper out on, and gets revenge on for everything that pisses him off or disappoints or upset him in life. Such men are deeply inadequate and cannot change; they are emotionally stunted at a very young level and rarely if ever improve or change, although they might appear to change temporarily to suck you back in. This prize catch doesn't even care about you enough to make bullshit promises or try to appear to change, that's how little he respects you or gives a shit about your feelings and needs. Not that pretending to care or change is positive, I hasten to add.

Your talk of 51% positive being enough is very upsetting, but also very telling. As a child, you would've had to make sense of the Daddy you loved behaving badly, and you know doubt made it okay for yourself by telling yourself that so long as he is nice just over half the time, then everything is okay. I bet your Mum said similar stuff.

If you value yourself so low that only 51% is enough (and I bet a lot of that isn't actually great, just 'not bad'), then no-one else will value you more. Many women have partners who are okay or even lovely 80% of the time, but who beat and rape them and treat them like shit the other 20%. Does that make it worth staying? And do you know how much percent bad behaviour you should accept for a relationship to be worthwhile? ZERO.

Stay with this man, and the family atmosphere will train a son to be a future abuser and a daughter to be a future abuse victim. People think children don't notice their mothers being treated badly, but they dol even if itis unconscious. Look at you - your father treated your mother like crap, even though you say you didn't totally realise, and yet here you are, a victim of abuse. If you have a daughter, the name issue might be avoided, but she will grow up to be treated like shit, just like you are being.

On a last and practical note, as you are not married then actually and legally, your child should be given YOUR surname. It is a permissible legal courtesy that unmarried mothers can give their child the father's surname or double-barrell it. It is outrageous to demand a certain first name without any compromise, but it is a clear sign of the disdain he has for you that he won't even 'let' the child have your surname as a middle name when legally it should have the same surname as you!

Admitting you have made a mistake and leaving someone is never wrong. Staying with someone like this is always wrong. Just the way he said 'maybe' last night proves you shouldn't be with him, never mind the rest.

BraveLilBear · 10/07/2013 10:16

The only thing I can think of is to go home to my mum, which isn't ideal as I moved away for a reason. Plus there's the issue of antenatal/labour care as I'll be in a different health authority.

I really don't have many options here.

Was blocked from antenatal yoga earlier because of a health issue (later proved unnecessary) and the only aquanatal class is a car ride away (DP has my car for work).

Just had a text off a friend who just had a baby saying she might pop round with some stuff so that might do me some good. Only problem is it's DP's close friend's girlfriend so will have to put on a brave face and keep schtum.

Thanks for all the support. Am in a dark place but I appreciate it.

OP posts:
TeamEdward · 10/07/2013 10:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EachAndEveryHighway · 10/07/2013 10:35

Everything OxfordBags says is spot on.

Just seen that DP has my car for work

He really does have all the control doesn't he? Is this just since you've been on maternity leave? If so, I suggest that however he got to work before, he carries on doing that now. The last thing you need at this stage is to be completely stuck unable to go anywhere. Tell him it's not convenient any more for him to take your car to work.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 10/07/2013 10:42

The throwaway car comment made me groan out loud. Now you're expecting a visit from DP's mate's gf. You need your own circle of friends and support.

BraveLilBear · 10/07/2013 10:56

He works 65 miles away, I worked 2 miles away. Public transport is just about possible for him if he leaves at 550. He'd get home after 8.

If I go it'll be tough luck.

I don't know if I can do this. We've had some amazing times together. I don't want to just give up when I know how he can be... but what I'm getting now is not good enough and he blames me for 'being miserable all the time'.

Thanks all. I see how stark things are. I need to think and come up with some plans.

OP posts:
EachAndEveryHighway · 10/07/2013 11:05

So under normal circumstances with a nice respectful DP who is considerate and appreciative of you, him taking your car to work would be the sensible thing to do given his distance and your distance to work. But as he's a knob he can go jump.

As you say, you need to come up with some plans - what you said earlier about moving to a different health authority - that's not really an issue - I moved house very shortly before DC2s birth, and it was all fine - all your records just get moved over.

A fresh start is in order.

Or - could you stay and he go? What is the situation with the house? If it's rented, could you afford it with housing benefit plus tax credits?

Lweji · 10/07/2013 11:18

I don't want to just give up when I know how he can be...

Do you want to stay knowing how he is?

How he can be is a possibility and it's in your head, mostly.

How he is now is a reality and how he will be as long as he feels in control of you.

Ohsparkle · 10/07/2013 11:21

Oh Bear my heart is panicking for you; I was once with a chap who treated me like a princess 95% of the time. The other 5% he was a heavy drinker and his behaviour was disgusting. Used to frighten me and embarrass me. I, too, didn't want to return to Mum as had left home for a reason. (I can now see I swapped one set of circumstances for another). I left ex and returned twice (after he cried and sobbed and promised he'd change). Of course, he never did. The 3rd time I got away for good. Going back to Mum wasn't as bad as I'd thought. With hindsight, I only wish I'd had the strength to stay away from ex the first time. I developed health issues while with ex that miraculously disappeared a few months after I left him. It was tough leaving him as Mum didn't believe the 5% horrid behaviour (she'd never witnessed him drunk) and she wanted me to go back to him, told me I'd be single and lonely forever (yes, really!!) so I had to have an inner core of strength to get through it. But get through it I did with the help of AD's and repeating a mantra to myself that I would be better off "single and lonely" than scared and having panic attacks from being with this man.

I realise my story is not exactly the same as yours but wanted to you know people have been through similar and made it out the other side.
I wish you every success at getting away from this controlling and abusive man. Go through all your options. Hugs to you xx

ImperialBlether · 10/07/2013 11:29

Well, he'll have the choice now of buying himself a car (bet it's not his fault he doesn't have one) or moving closer to work.

Just out of interest, does he always drive your car? Every day? What happens at the weekend? In what way is it your car? Do you just pay the bills for it? Who puts the petrol in for his 130 mile daily round trip?

ImperialBlether · 10/07/2013 11:29

Personally I think he believes he's showing a weakness if he says he wants to be with you.

BerkshireMum · 10/07/2013 11:40

Bear, given what you've told us about your parents' relationship, I bet your mum would understand, possibly more than you think. Moving back with a parent is rarely the first choice for anyone but think of all the options it would give you.

Space to bond with your baby - with the name you choose

Time to think what you want to do next and where you'd like to be living

Chance to reconnect with some friends and build your own support network

If necessary, you could even go while he's out - make arrangements to have the car just for a day for some reason. Doesn't mean you don't see him or talk to him again (if that's what YOU decide) but it means it's you in control, not him.

Please take care - and start making some serious plans for your precious baby xx

valiumredhead · 10/07/2013 12:03

I was the same as cogito, when Dh manages to grow and give birth to a baby that's when he gets to have serious input. Luckily it's a name we both liked. I'm only half joking