At Our Baby Shower, My MIL Announced She’d Name Our Baby – So I Let Her, on the Condition That She’ll Never Forget
Pregnancy didn’t bring out the soft side—it brought out the worst in my mother-in-law, Diane. She’s the type who treats family events like a reality show, and when I got pregnant, she acted like she was carrying the baby. She announced the news before I could, ordered custom “Glamma-to-be” shirts, and called the baby “ours.”
The breaking point was the baby shower. My friend Tessa had planned a perfect, intimate event, but Diane stood up, grabbed the spotlight, and declared the baby’s name: Clifford—after her ex. She boasted about me taking more photos with her than my own mom and even sent a $300 cake crashing to the floor. Matt tried to intervene, but I kept him back. Diane kept sending gifts and letters pushing the name, turning what should have been my day into her stage.
Finally, I called her. Sweetly, I suggested she write something for the baby’s keepsake box explaining the name. She eagerly agreed—and we filmed her reading it aloud for the box… and posted it online. Public reaction was brutal. Even Clifford himself weighed in: “Don’t involve me.” Diane sent back shredded blankets and a warning note.
When our son was born, we named him Lucas James—a name that belonged only to him. Diane? She still sometimes goes by “Grandma Clifford.” The experience taught me that sometimes, giving someone the microphone—and letting the world hear the truth—is the best revenge.
