Ugh so frustrated!!!!

julesjarvais65

My MIL doesn't like the name we chose, Emmalyn Alexa. She likes Alexa, but she doesn't like Emmalyn. Why? Because my DH has a cousin named Emma, who is 20 btw. I also have a cousin named Emma, who is 16. But our daughters name is NOT Emma, its not Emmalyn. We aren't planning on calling her Emma, if its shortened at all we will call her Emmy. On top of that, both of our cousins love the name, neither of them even considering that it was close to their name.

Now his MIL won't stop calling her Alexa. Idk what to do, my DH won't step up and say something. THAT IS NOT HER NAME!!! Any suggestions?

Ugh. Done venting.

julesjarvais65

Oh, and just because its his mom he says she can call her whatever. NO this is not ok. Her name is not Alexa.

kenldav

It's your child so you and your husband can name her anything you want. MIL had her chance to name her children. IMO, I think your husband should stand up for you and tell her that this is what you're naming her and that she will be called by Emmalyn of Emmy only. Alexa is her mn not her first name so she will not be called Alexa. BTW, I love the name you have picked out! Very pretty I also considered Emmalyn and Emerson for out LO to be

EastCoastBride

Well, obviously this is partially a DH problem.

W/ your MIL, when she refers to your baby as Alexa, dont' react. At all.  When she prods you "why aren't you responding?", you say "because her name is Emmalyn".  Period.

But also- once the baby is here, MIL might start calling her Emmalyn.  My MIL HATED the name we chose, but she now "loves" it (uh huh, sure).  But she DOES call DS his name. 

Once your baby is born, if she still insists on Alexa, I would point blank say to her (but nicely) "Her name is Emmalyn and this is a matter of respect towards me and DH.  If you continue to call her Alexa, I will take that as a direct sign that you don't respect me.". 

Annie984

I can't stand people who do this.  I don't understand why other people think they should have a say in what you name your children.  I would have one more conversation with her on the topic.  Let her know that your child's name with by Emmalyn, and she may call her Emmalyn or Emmy, and to do otherwise would be disrespectful of you as parents.  I might add that you want your daughter to have a good relationship with her grandmother and that this is starting things off on the wrong foot.   After I finish saying that, I would tell her that you and your husband will no longer be discussing her name.  Any further conversations she tried to start about her name would be met with, "We clearly expressed our feelings on this issue, and they haven't changed."  I would say this over and over if I had to.  I would also use the same phrase every time she called her Alexa.

 

And in the future, I wouldn't tell anyone my name choice. ;-)

apc1929

I would first have my DH talk to her but that sounds like it won't work for you.  I would have no problem sitting her down and telling her firmly that your dd is Emmalyn and that's what she should be called..   If that doesn't work then honestly I'd just let it go-- as long as she is the only one doing it I bet she'll feel stupid after baby is born and start calling her by her correct name.

D&HMom

I would correct her every time she says Alexa...to the point you get annoying.

ie:

MIL - I can't wait for Alexa to be born

You - Yes we are excited for Emmalyn's birth

MIL - I bought the cutest outfit for Alexa,

You -That is so kind of you to buy a gift for Emmalyn

You get my drift...then she will either get the message or confront you where you stand your ground and tell her your child's name is Emmalyn.  Point out your child will be confused when people call her by different names.  Likely once Emmalyn is born she will get over it.