A mum wants to change the name of her newborn baby but is feeling awkward because her mother-in-law has already had it tattooed on her arm.
The mum is feeling torn over the "nightmare" situation but feels strongly that her new son's original name isn't right for him. Both she and her partner have had a "change of heart" and are determined to change their son's name.
Now, she "feels awful" because her mother-in-law "immediately" tattooed the baby's name on her arm, despite the infant being just two weeks old. The new parents were unaware of her plans and are now unsure how to handle the desired name change.
READ MORE: Mum 'humiliated' and left in tears when trying to pay for Greggs sausage rolls
The mum sought advice on Mumsnet's popular Am I Being Unreasonable (AIBU) thread. In a post simply titled "MIL tattooed DS's name...", she wrote: "We have just had a baby two weeks ago, MIL immediately tattooed baby boy's name on her arm.
"However, we have since had a change of heart re the name... What a nightmare! We didn't ask her to, or knew she was doing it, it's obviously really sweet of her to do it so that's not the problem it's more just now we don't want to call him that.
"I feel awful! How on earth do we handle this? I'm really trying to talk myself into keeping the name, but it doesn't sit right..."
The new parent's post received more than 100 responses from fellow Mumsnet users keen to share their thoughts. One suggested: "Can you use that as the middle name so she can just add the "new" first name to the front?"
Another said: "It's really not your problem, to be honest. It was entirely her decision, and not something most people would do. You're entirely within your rights to change your minds, it's still very early days and you're only getting to know him."
A third commented: "Oh yikes. Perhaps she should have waited until you registered baby.... Erm... can you live with that name or does it just really not work?"
Another Mumsnet user said: "I agree with suggestion to keep it as a middle name- you liked it enough so maybe it will work better as a middle? She could then add his name to the tattoo. To be honest she was a bit premature to do it after only 2 weeks but I definitely would not want to upset my MIL so I'd try to find a compromise."
Would you keep a name you didn't like to avoid upsetting a family member who'd had it tattooed on them? Let us know in the comments section below.
A fifth said: "No way would I keep a name I didn't actually want to use because someone had decided to tattoo it on their body. Use the name you like. She can have laser removal or a cover up."
Another quipped: "That's so funny! Can I be there when you tell her you're changing his name? I'll bring some nice biscuits." And another said: "She's daft for doing it so quickly, she could have waited. He's your son so if you prefer a different name then go for it."
And another Mumsnet user added: "I'm struggling to believe this actually, but if it's true, it's her problem, not yours. You can't give your child a name you no longer like, simply to avoid upsetting some loon who got a tattoo done!"
One Mumsnet user asked if her mother-in-law already had tattoos, to which the mum replied: "Yes she has all her kids and gc's [grandchildren's] names already. It's not massive but it's right near her wrist, and has its own area, there's no mistaking it's there! I can't handle this level of awkward, I'm really not good with stuff like this."
In another follow up comment, the mum added: "Hahaha it is slightly funny, but I also just feel so bad for her. The name absolutely doesn't work especially as my dd [dear daughter] pointed out it sounds like a certain body part that is less than ideal. Even as a middle name isn't really an option but we would keep it for her I guess, just not as a first name."
Receive our daily What's On newsletter, Friday Food and Drink and breaking news email alerts by signing up here
Read next:
- Jurgen Klopp delivers message of support to LGBT+ community at national awards event
Sugababes tour 2022: Pre sale, tickets, dates and everything you need to know
UK's favourite supermarket revealed and it isn't Asda, Aldi, Tesco, Lidl or Sainsbury's
Asda's new chocolate bag shoppers 'need to find' in supermarkets
