MY MIL DEMANDED TO NAME MY BABY—SO I AGREED, BUT WITH ONE CONDITION

When I found out I was pregnant, I was over the moon. **My husband, Ethan, was excited too.** But there was a **huge problem—his mother.**

Linda had **zero** concept of boundaries.

We were staying in her apartment to save money, and she treated us like **tenants who owed her their souls.** She **approved our groceries, rearranged our furniture, and even walked into our bedroom unannounced.**

But **nothing** prepared me for what she said one evening over dinner.

**”Since you live under my roof,”** she announced smugly, **”I think it’s only fair that I get to name the baby.”**

I nearly choked on my food. **”I thought Ethan and I would choose the name?”**

Linda waved a dismissive hand. **”No, no. You live here rent-free. It’s only right I name MY grandchild.”**

I could’ve argued. **I could’ve screamed.**

Instead? **I smiled sweetly.**

**“You know what, Linda? That actually sounds fair.”**

Her eyes **lit up like she’d won the lottery.**

**”Wonderful! I’ve always loved the names Gertrude for a girl and Bartholomew for a boy!”**

I forced a grin. **“Great! But only if you agree to ONE condition.”**

Linda’s smile faltered. **”What condition?”**

I leaned forward, keeping my voice cheerful.

**”Since we’re naming people based on who pays rent… I think it’s only fair that Ethan and I get to rename YOU.”**

Her mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. **”Excuse me?”**

**”You know, since you’re living with us too,”** I added innocently. **”We’ll start calling you… Granny McToothless! Or maybe Old Lady Jenkins?”**

Ethan **snorted into his drink.**

Linda **turned bright red.** **”That’s ridiculous!”**

I shrugged. **”Not really. If you name my baby because you own the apartment, then I get to name you because I live here too. Seems fair, right?”**

Silence.

Linda **stared at me like she was rethinking her life choices.** Then, with a huff, she grabbed her plate and **stormed off.**

She never brought up the baby’s name again.

And our daughter? **We named her exactly what WE wanted.**