Most people like and cherish their name. A name not only reveals a person's identity; it also reveals a lot about their personality. But how should you react if you notice that your mother-in-law calls you by your husband's ex's name? While this can be a very awkward situation to find yourself in, it is not that uncommon, especially if your husband has had several relationships prior to your marriage.
Mother-in-law's Age
Before you decide to never talk to your mother-in-law again due to her "insulting" remark, consider some other possibilities. Not all women who call their daughters-in-law by their son's ex's name are doing so due to deliberate, malicious intent. Some women make careless mistakes and forget people's names very easily. This is common among some older women whose memories may not be as sharp as they once were.
Duration of Previous Relationship
Another factor to take into account is how long your husband's previous relationship lasted. If he was married to his ex for quite some time, then your husband's ex's name will have become more deeply ingrained in your mother-in-law's mind and therefore harder for her to simply forget overnight. It is common for some women to mix up names when they have become well acquainted with their son's ex. Again, this is no reflection on you as a daughter-in-law and you should not feel offended by your mother-in-law's careless mistake.
Present Acquaintance
If your mother-in-law has accidentally called you by your husband's ex's name more than once since your marriage, it could be due to the fact that your mother-in-law has not known you for very long. It takes time for some women to adjust to their sons' new marriages, which means they are more likely to slip up and call you by the wrong name at first until they get to know you better.
It is frustrating for some women to endure the name of one of their husband's ex-wives or other past relationships, but it should not be viewed as a long term problem. Instead of automatically concluding that your mother-in-law is trying to break you and your husband up, consider her age, how long she knew your husband's ex and how well acquainted she has become with you. The answers to these questions will usually help you to see that your mother-in-law does not mean to call you by the wrong name. But in the meantime, gently remind your mother-in-law of your name. She will soon see her mistake and hopefully make more of an effort in future to get your name right.
