A woman has taken to social media for advice after sharing how her brother’s choice is baby names left her heartbroken – and now she is considering never speaking to him again
A woman has been left outraged after hearing what her brother named his daughter – and has decided to cut him out of her life entirely. The 27-year-old explained how she and her sister-in-law, 32, found out they were both pregnant at the same time – and their bond grew closer for it.
They went baby shopping together and shared their excitement about experiencing motherhood with each others love and support. She said on Reddit: ” Me and my husband at the time were so excited we picked the name Riley when I was only 10 weeks. Our crib bedding, baby book, even new born outfit had the name Riley on it.”
Tragically though, the woman lost her baby at three months, resulting in a still birth. She said: “I then found out I’m infertile after. I was crushed. I always wanted to be a mum. I was still happy for my brother and sister in law, although seeing her get to still be pregnant hurt.
“They found out they were having twin girls and pushed through my pain and would still ask her about the pregnancy, like baby shower, room décor and names. I noticed she was being really secretive about the names. I didn’t think much of it at the time.”
However, everything changed when she met the twins in hospital shortly after their birth and came to learn what her brother and sister-in-law decided to name them.
She added: “l went to the hospital overjoyed but also with my heart in shambles still, to meet my nieces for the first time. They hand me one girl, I ask what’s her name – ‘Rae-lynn’.
“I then see my brother holding the other and asked hers. The room fell silent. Her mum who knew none the wiser said “Ry-lee”. I know the spelling isn’t the same but the way I almost fell to my knees.
“Seeing a new born baby in perfect health with the same name as mine I had lost only three months earlier.
“It was hard enough holding a healthy baby that wasn’t mine at the time but knowing I would hear the same name as mine all the time sent me into a deep depression.”
She says she “really tried to be a good auntie” – but she couldn’t help but feel hurt and was struggling to hide her upset.
“My brother and sister in law have complained at lot about me not being as present with my nieces as I am with my other brothers children,” she said.
“The name sticks out like a sore thumb everyone knows but its just ignored. They even asked me for my baby’s stuff and I gave it to them.
“Her friend asked why the name was spelled wrong and her sister told her it was my baby’s name and I was nice enough to give them my deceased babies items.
“Finally its been a few years. Its still hard for me to be around them but not as much because of the name and grief but more because someone who was my best friend and my own brother would be willing to hurt me like that.
“It all came to a head when they pushed me to answer why I’m more involved with my other brothers children (I see the twins 4 to 5 times a year and my other brothers kids around once a month”
After feeling cornered by them, she finally opened up and shared the impact their child’s name was having on her.
“My sister in law said “its a family name” – referring to not Rylee but Leigh because that’s her mother’s middle name. My brother also said it doesn’t matter because they can’t steal a baby name when I don’t even have a baby.
“So I know years have passed (the twins are five now) and if I went no contact back then it would be understandable but I feel like I really gave it my best shot but I can’t handle it any more, but my nieces also know who I am and would probably miss me.”
Wanting to know whether she’s in the wrong for wanting to go no-contact with them, she has taken to social media to ask users for their thoughts.
In response, one user said: “They knew it would hurt you and they chose to do it anyway. Actions have consequences. You need to protect yourself first.” Another user added : “Your brother and sister-in-law are evil people.”