Saving the favorite name for the "good" child?

That's really interesting and quite sad actually, but I don't blame them. Forgive me, I'm only 14, but the image in their own mind has changed. The name Shawn probably brings them sadness that their little boy- their first born child- won't be the cute little thing old women coo at in the Grocery store or be a popular jock in high school. I personally wouldn't change it, but truthfully, I have no idea what it's like to be pregnant with a disabled baby. Just my opinion.

That's ******* terrible if they change the name just because it wasn't the 'perfect child'. Yes, of course ai picture what Delilah or Noah (my favorite names) might look like, but I wouldn't love them any less or change the name just because they didn't fit what I pictured them as.

However, they might have a reason behind the change...for example:

1.) They probably realize that kids get made fun of in school - a lot. Names & disabilities being two of the most common reasons (wealth & appearance high up there too), and decided to give him a more common name so cut down on a lot of the teasing he'd get (Let's face it - the more uncommon the name, the higher teasing would be).

2.) Maybe they realize raising a child with downs syndrome will be harder than raising a 'normal' child, and have decided this will be their last, and want to honor a family member named Michael.

Both are pretty far fetched, I know, but possibilities. The point is - they might have a good reason for the name change, even though they haven't told anyone why.

I cannot believe they are saving their favourite name for a "perfect" child. Ignorant people indeed.

My husband and I have 2 "special needs" children. Both our sons will need life-long care, will never ever be toilet trained and are tube fed. We do not know whether they will have a normal life span and both are in and out of hospital continuously. The elder of the 2 has already had over 30 operations.

During both pregnancies we had names picked out for out baby when it was born. Both times we used our name of choice. Why not? These boys are still our sons and we still love them to death. I cannot believe that their are people around who would treat their own children as second class citizens because of a disability. I honestly feel sorry for this child and I can only hope this couple give him the life he deserves. Our sons are not treated any differently than their 6 siblings and they are certainly never made to feel that they are not "perfect".

Well maybe if I knew my kid was going to grow up to be the president, I would use a really powerful name. Or if I knew my kid was going to grow up to be the next Charlie Manson, I would use a really evil sounding name...

But obviously we can't do that. lol

The only reason I would "save" my favourite name for the next baby would be if the name didn't fit the gender of the baby. Which whatever, I have a favourite name list for both genders.

So no, I wouldn't.

What would they do if their next baby after Michael had Down Syndrome too? Or something even worse? Would he not be "good enough" to be named Shawn, either? If that's the case, tell them to GROW UP...or just not have kids.

No, that's ridiculous! However, I changed my mind last minute when I had twin girls... only I kept the same names, just switch baby A to baby B's name... you know, like Baby A was supposed to be Jill but she looked more like a Beth, etc. I think that's the only time to reserve a name, is if it just DOESN'T fit the child. I would just ask them "So, how come the last minute change?" Just because I'm nosey, but I'm sure they had a real reason.

Good luck to them, those babies are the sweetest little things I have ever seen in my life!

<33

That's fu**ed up. Sorry, but that's the truth imo. Reading that just made me really angry. How could anyone be so shallow. So he's not going to be "perfect" whatever that is. They are already treating him like hes not good enough and he's not even born yet. And, imagine how this child would feel if they found this out. Or, what if they have another boy, one who they deem worthy of the name Shawn, what if he also found out what went on with the naming? That would feel horrible for both of them. I'm sure they would feel really hurt if they had some sort of disability and later found out that their parents decided to change the name they had planned for them b/c when they were born their parents didn't deem them worthy of having that name.

I like many names, if that happened to me I would not use the name I always wanted to use because it wouldn't be fair to the child. I would say his name and always think what if the child had been a normal child. It sounds dumb, ridiculous, and uncalled for. Plus I have made a long list of names I like because most spouses don't agree on names but that's beside the point. So in that long list of names I would find a special name for the child that I haven't dreamed being a typical boy who plays baseball, football or soccer, who gets just enough attention from girls or the typical tomboy who loves to roughhouse with boys and hates pink, dresses and anything kinda girly. The name would be something that is liked and specially picked for the child with love.Also because the baby had defect and I changed the name would not mean I would love the bay less it would mean I'd love him or her just as much as a normal baby. and I would treat as best to my possibility. Oh and my uncle has some kind of problem that the doctor did to him causing him to be put into different schools than normal children, never get married, or even have a normal life but he is very special, caring and more thankfuI for what he gets because of his child. And I do think that it is sad that some people change the name because certain reason and to look down on these people is just as wrong, but I would change the name for the best of the kid. get what might be the reasoning behind changing the name. I get that some people want ot change the kids name for certain reasons I respect their decisions and opinions. I also get the side of people saying its rubbish because its the name you always wanted to name your child and it might be the only chance you have to name a child that name. Also a way to avoid this situation is have names as posibilities but not to set down on the name and call the baby sweety, pumpkin, etc. making a special nickname for 9 months pregnant or until he or she is born.

Hope I helped and didn't overwhelm you,

Karrah :)

I always knew I was going to name my daughter Cameron or Addison. But her name is Arabella. The reason she is Arabella is because I had a miscarriage before, which was gonna be Cameron Hope. Arabella is latin and means answered prayer, so I have Arabella Grace instead.

I always knew if I had a boy, his name was going to be Zachary Cole. Last year, I was blessed with Zachary Cole. Regardless of if they would have been diagnosed with down syndrome, it wouldn't have changed anything. If they are saving Shawn for a child that will be a regular child, that's wrong. There's not reason this innocent baby boy shouldn't be named Shawn. They both like it so why not? He was Shawn before they found out they were pregnant and before he became diagnosed with down syndrome. They should get over it and name their son Shawn like they had planned. Why not Shawn Michael or Michael Shawn? I wouldn't change my kids name for nothing. Hope they figure it out soon!

Thats sad that they are already treating their child as different,its almost like they have turned their backs on the poor child thats going to go through so much in life, if anything the parents should realize that they are going to need to step up and stop being stupid. Hopefully when the baby is born they will never treat their child like that .

I would certainly give my favorite name to the baby, no matter what his/her problem may be. I was in this situation myself and still gave the name I had planned on using (for as long as I could remember) to my baby, Lauren Sophia. I knew she wasn't going to make it when she was born, but she had always been my Little Lauren when I was pregnant with her, and I wasn't going to change her name just because of her problems. She died the day she was born, but I am very glad I kept her name the same.

I think every child, disabled or not, deserves a special name that Mom and Dad picked out for their little loved one. Not a special name that Mom and Dad picked up for their little disabled one--that's just not fair.

Interesting question!