About Rebecca Eckler
Since becoming pregnant with her daughter Rowan, Canadian journalist and author Rebecca Eckler has penned three hilarious books, including the best-selling Knocked Up. Catch Rebecca’s weekly unique perspective on motherhood and single parenthood.
Brainstorming a Baby Name
eckler plus one: kids' baby name suggestions canada
(Jan.20.12)
I’m pregnant with my second child which means, once again, I get to go through the fun process of coming up with names. But, I ask you, would you let your other children come up with the baby’s name?
My Baby Daddy has two daughters and I have one and they all have been throwing suggestions my way (as me and my Baby Daddy brainstorm as well.) My daughter has two stuffed animals with names that I would love to use, but I’m not really allowed to, because as my daughter says, “They’re already taken.” I even like the name of our pet fish, but that’s taken. But my daughter has also thrown out some really, um, interesting names as have my Baby Daddy’s daughters. I just have to respond with, “I’ll definitely think about it!” Not!
I really want them to be involved in choosing the name, but this time around there are five people who need to agree, instead of just two (me and the father). It reminds me of being in school and having to do class projects with four other people. It was always easier to get the project done with less people. I hated class projects because I always thought I could just do the project better on my own. Coming up with a name, and trying to please everyone, seems to be an impossible task. But, like I’ve said, I want everyone to have a say and hopefully we all can agree on a name.
I’ve thrown out a couple names only to have one of them say, “I’m really not into that name.” Or, “I know someone at school with that name and I don’t like them at all!” So those names go down into the ether of unused names because one of us doesn’t like them. At the end of the day (especially the day this baby is born) I know it’s my choice. But I love the idea of our children coming up with a name for this baby. It makes everyone involved and actually it’s quite fun. Finally, after weeks of going back and forth, with the children writing lists of names (Rocco Eckler? Um….), we finally came up with a name that everyone seems to like.
Did you have older children when you gave birth to another? And, if so, did they help pick out a name? What’s the craziest name one of your children has come up with? Share! And for those of you who have young children, would you let them pick out a name?
Follow me at @rebeccaeckler.
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