https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 08:37:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2525871 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:38:48 +0000 krispi 2525871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My grandfather didn't have a middle name, and I guess he always felt his name was a bit incomplete. He was a little odd, so he just started making up middle names for himself. He would leave some interesting ones on our answering machine... (He always felt the need to state his full name for some reason.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2524172 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 19:35:47 +0000 MoonMoon 2524172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also come from a culture that doesn't use middle names, but we gave our LO one because hey, free name!</p> <p>One reason I can think of not to have a middle name: it can have religious significance. My cousin lives in Germany and there, the second name is traditionally the Christian name, and he's not Christian so he didn't give his kids middle names. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2524123 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 18:54:55 +0000 bloved 2524123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no middle name and I grew up hating it! Plus no one believed me when I said I did not have one; they all assumed it was so awful I was lying so I would not have to shareS </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2524063 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:34:14 +0000 Miss Ariel 2524063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friend's dad didn't have one. But he's a dr, and he picked a middle initial to use professionally. And technically his birth name is a nickname and for his professional name he also goes by the full length version. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2524047 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:18:39 +0000 Torchwood 2524047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I both have to use our middle names a LOT because we have a common last name. I feel like it's just useful, even with an uncommon name there are so many people out there it could happen.</p> <p>Also, I changed my nickname multiple times growing up. I would have resented not having as much to choose from. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523946 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 15:33:11 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2523946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love using the middle name spot to honour someone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523903 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:55:13 +0000 snowjewelz 2523903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We both came from cultures that don't use middle names. But we do have one for DD. I say go for it if you have one, don't if you can't come up with one! DH wanted DD to have one since we have a common last name. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523900 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:51:44 +0000 OldpuebloJenn 2523900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter's middle name is my last name. I didn't change my name so it's nice for us to have that connection and I like that my heritage is acknowledged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523894 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:49:31 +0000 PurplePeony 2523894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH is also from a culture where middle names aren't the norm and doesn't see the point. However, I didn't change my last name when we got married, and though I didn't mind giving DD his last name, I wanted my name to be part of hers, too. So it made perfect sense to give her my last name as a middle. Otherwise, I probably would have pushed what @pinkelephant suggested, which is what lots of our friends have done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523882 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:40:34 +0000 cnidaria 2523882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: That's a good idea - I'll have to run it by him :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523872 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:30:56 +0000 agold 2523872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like middle names, but I don't see a real need for them. If it makes the name nice, then I would add one or two! I actually don't have a middle name - my first name is a long name. I've never had a problem not having a middle name. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523842 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:11:17 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2523842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like middle names. We both have family names as our middle names and gave our son a family name for his middle name. It's not a rule but I'm sure we were influenced by how we were named! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523838 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:10:14 +0000 PinkElephant 2523838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In your particular case, it might be a great way to incorporate a name from your DH's culture (if you're giving the baby a more "mainstream American" name), or vice-versa, if your baby is getting a very specific cultural name/name in another language, to give them a more common English name they could use in certain situations if they chose to do so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523836 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:08:17 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2523836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used a middle name. Middles are the norm.</p> <p>My parents gave my bro and I female/ male versions of the opposite sex parent's own middle name. Those names passed down a piece of them, but that is not the norm in my family. Everyone else just has a second name their parents liked. My husband's family appears to be the same at least with his immediate family in terms of choosing a name they like. </p> <p>Our LO's middle name will honor a member/ side of my family. I don't know if subsequent LOs will be so lucky, but they will all have middle names. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523833 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:06:39 +0000 kiddosc 2523833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used middle names as a way to honor family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523832 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:04:13 +0000 Mamaof2 2523832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both my kids and everyone I know uses middle names so that's what we did too!</p> <p>We use family names.</p> <p>However, if your DH is strongly against it I think its ok to not have one </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/middle-name-or-no-middle-name#post-2523827 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:01:53 +0000 cnidaria 2523827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I are expecting our first child this fall and were discussing whether or not to give him/her a middle name. DH is from a culture that doesn't use them, so he doesn't see the point. On my side, everybody has a middle name - often passed down from a relative as a way to keep family names going.</p> <p>Would/did you use a middle name for your child(ren)? What reasons can you think of to use/not use a middle name? Curious to see both sides of this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-459081 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:51:39 +0000 LazyLightning 459081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: omg! The odds were against you getting it! crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-459079 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:51:20 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 459079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTiz: Seriously?? Wow people can become so crazy when babies are in the picture. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-459078 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:51:03 +0000 Anagram 459078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LazyLightning: haha. I actually went to the store the next day, but at the crappy store where I stopped, they didn't have any fresh cut pineapple, so I got a can....and then when I got it home, I realized the bottom of the can had all this goo on it. When I washed off the goo, I realized it was a hole in the can and the goo was old pineapple juice. And the pineapple inside looked rotten and brown.</p> <p>Which has never happened to me, ever. So, I have very bad pineapple luck right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-459065 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:44:19 +0000 LazyLightning 459065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If my husband told me i couldn't eat pineapple based on his mother's superstition, then refused to listen when i tried to show him facts that show otherwise.... I'd buy one on my way to work and eat it at my desk. seriously wtf. </p> <p>My only problem has been relatives trying to give me ginger because i don't feel well. I really, really don't like ginger or gingerale. I can't help it! That and being so nauseous and people telling me if I would just eat x, y, or z, i would feel better. (Tried it, barfed it. sorry.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-459061 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:43:11 +0000 shopaholic 459061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL (and a few friends) told me I couldn't eat watermelon during pregnancy. It's a long-standing Chinese superstition (and I think pineapple and mangos fall in the same category) that have to do with your Chi. I resisted for a couple of weeks, but my 1st tri was in the summer and I couldn't take it anymore! I would just eat it and she would be like "really! you have to stop!" but I told her "I can barely stomach anything else, so I'm going to have what I can actually eat."<br /> My mom was like, "you can't walk/wear high heels/move/etc" ridiculous. I just let things go in one ear and right out the other... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-459052 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:39:57 +0000 blackbird 459052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whoa, i don't have any experience with cultural issues, but my parents are really displeased that I am continuing to exercise, and once made a reference to my m/c over it. I still get emails telling me not to work out!</p> <p>I ate sooo much crushed pineapple suspended in raspberry jello, though! I don't follow "rules" unless there is lots of professional, medical data to back it up, though :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-459020 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:29:33 +0000 MrsTiz 459020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to add that my MIL just sent THE ENTIRE FAMILY a group text with a picture of a scratch on her arm saying that we need to get rid of our dog before we have a baby because our house is unfit for a baby since we have a dog. Um..are you freaking kidding me?!? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-458982 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:07:25 +0000 Mrs. Lantern 458982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>According to my MIL (who is traditional), I can't...</p> <p>- Dance when pregnant<br /> - Take the flu shot or any shots for that matter<br /> - Eat watermelon<br /> - Eat spicy chips</p> <p>...and probably a million more things. It's amusing but annoying to say the least! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-458904 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:34:12 +0000 MrsTiz 458904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not cultural, but DH's mom about lost her mind at the idea of me taking vitamins. She convinced DH that I was awful because I was taking Vitamin D even though my Dr told me to. She didn't believe me because Dr.Google told her otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-458877 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:16:27 +0000 Mrsbells 458877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From what I heard pineapple only causes contractions if you eat it in large quantities, you have to eat 8 pineapples in a row is what I heard. Although I tried eating a lot when I was past my due date but nothing happened lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-458861 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:11:17 +0000 Foodnerd81 458861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any issues like that but I can only imagine how annoying it must have been to want something and be denied for no real reason. Sitting here with my morning sickness, if something sounded good and Dh refused to let me have it, I'd be so mad! I also can't imagine smelling curry cooking so I feel you there (and I usually love it).<br /> No help but I feel your pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-458815 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:56:15 +0000 autumnlove 458815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom is convinced raising my hands above my head will cause fetal distress and lead to miscarriage! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cultural-differences-while-pregnantwith-kids#post-458804 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:52:00 +0000 Anagram 458804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So....my husband is south asian and his mom told us I'm "not allowed" to have pineapple. I didn't care at all (because I've been so sick) until the other night when pineapple sounded SO GOOD to me and didn't make me feel nauseous....but DH would *not* let me get it.</p> <p>His mother is convinced that eating even a few small pieces of pineapple will make me miscarry the baby. I looked it up online, and it seems to be an old wives tale. I'd apparently have to eat MANY pineapples, including the core, which contains some chemical that can, in large amounts, cause uterine contractions. However, it's not on my doctor's do not eat list, and my own mother ate it while pregnant with all 6 of her babies.</p> <p>Still, my husband, who is normally laid back, was SO UPSET that I would even consider eating it when his mom said it was bad, he wouldn't even let me show him what I found online. This is the first time we've had this kind of issue. I ended up not getting the pineapple, but I really wanted it. And STILL want it.</p> <p>SIGH. Anyone else have good stories of different cultural expectations while pregnant/after having a baby?</p> <p>Also, when I was at his parents for Thanksgiving, and was extremely, extremely ill...his mom kept trying to feed me vegetable curries, and kept cooking all day long, even though the very smell of all that stuff was making my nausea so. much. worse. But she was convined it would help me, so she kept going.</p> <p>Please someone entertain me with your stories! </p>