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My sister changed her name when she ascended to the Crystal Throne, may she live forever. Blaine Send a noteboard - 03/11/2009 02:52:35 AM
Backstory - My brother's son (five years old) is technically my sister-in-law's son from a previous marriage. However, vile ex-husband hasn't been a figure in the child's life since a few months after he was born, while my brother has been the "dad" since my nephew was one and a half. Ex-in law family have pretty much disowned the ex-husband and completely love my brother. My brother, his wife, and the kids vacation with the ex-in-laws, etc.

With the addition of my new niece, brother and sister-in-law are considering changing the son's name to better fit in with the family. They don't want to offend my nephew's biological grandparents, but they also don't want my nephew to feel too different by not having the same name as the rest of the family. Additionally, they don't feel that my nephew is emotionally ready for the "Whys" of a different last name.

So...

1) Have you ever been in a similar situation? Either as the parent, child, grandparent?

2) How, if at all, would having a different last name than your siblings affect you?

3) Would you feel offended if you were the biological grandparent in this type of situation?


There are ways to go around this, doing hyphenated names and whatnot.


1) When my mother remarried, she thankfully didn't try to get me to change my last name. I was 10 by that time however and understood what my last name signified. I don't know how old your nephew is and how well he understands but by the age of 10 i was very proud of my last name, but then again i still had a really good relationship with my father.

2) My older brother from my mother's previous marriage kept his father's last name. It hasn't really affected me at any time of my life. I love my brother and his last name has never been an issue. He grew up calling my dad "dad" but i don't think having a different last name was detrimental to him.

3) If was one of the grandparents and liked your brother as much as you have described, I don't think i would i would have a problem with it. I'm sure they understand that their son isn't a part of your nephew's life anymore and they don't want him to feel like he isn't part of the family simply because he has a different last name.
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Changing your child's name... - 02/11/2009 11:07:40 PM 798 Views
I'm an observer. - 02/11/2009 11:16:50 PM 577 Views
Is your brother going to actually adopt the child? - 02/11/2009 11:54:20 PM 581 Views
My brother wants to, but... - 03/11/2009 11:18:20 PM 525 Views
Does he pay child support? - 04/11/2009 12:38:33 AM 448 Views
Never paid a dime. - 04/11/2009 12:44:40 AM 458 Views
Re: Never paid a dime. - 04/11/2009 03:24:02 AM 483 Views
Re: Never paid a dime. - 05/11/2009 07:35:05 AM 437 Views
I'd only change the name if he adopted the son legally. - 03/11/2009 12:23:08 AM 471 Views
I agree with you and Tash... - 03/11/2009 03:22:28 AM 465 Views
The thing is... - 03/11/2009 11:19:45 PM 434 Views
Concur - 03/11/2009 06:56:54 PM 503 Views
I'm more interested in the feelings/needs of the child than the feelings of adults. - 03/11/2009 01:16:49 AM 480 Views
I really like this reply and agree with everything in it... - 03/11/2009 01:23:15 AM 490 Views
There's bad things, and there's bad things. - 03/11/2009 01:46:33 PM 424 Views
I don't know the full details of the first marriage... - 03/11/2009 11:28:41 PM 451 Views
True... - 03/11/2009 11:23:55 PM 493 Views
Yes. - 04/11/2009 12:36:24 AM 502 Views
My situation was almost the same. - 03/11/2009 02:10:24 AM 534 Views
My sister changed her name when she ascended to the Crystal Throne, may she live forever. - 03/11/2009 02:52:35 AM 555 Views
Not me, but..... - 03/11/2009 03:07:28 AM 560 Views
I personally believe the boy should keep his biological fathers last name no matter what *NM* - 03/11/2009 03:18:24 AM 211 Views
I'm curious why you believe this. - 03/11/2009 01:54:40 PM 454 Views
I'm a bit curious too...explain. *NM* - 03/11/2009 11:31:02 PM 206 Views
personal belief - 04/11/2009 03:44:35 PM 427 Views
Happened to my dad (kinda). - 03/11/2009 05:25:52 AM 441 Views
Here are my thoughts (I have been in a somewhat similar situation). - 03/11/2009 06:52:17 AM 518 Views
Curious - 03/11/2009 01:59:30 PM 471 Views
Re: Curious - 03/11/2009 06:46:52 PM 537 Views
I am in a similar position. - 03/11/2009 07:18:57 AM 472 Views
I'd wait until the child is old enough to want to himself - 03/11/2009 07:29:36 AM 450 Views
I think I kind of agree here... - 06/11/2009 03:28:31 AM 500 Views

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