Dear Annie: I have a friend in her late 30s who is pregnant with her second baby.
We are not the closest of friends, but we’ve been friends for over 20 years. She recently shared the baby name she and her husband like the most so far.
Unfortunately, in my family, there have been two babies who were given this specific name, and both were stillborn. You can imagine how unsettled I was when I learned she was considering it.
I’m not very superstitious, but I feel like it’s bad luck, and I can’t help but get chills every time I hear that name. Should I share this with her? Thank you for your advice. — Haunted by a Name
Dear Haunted: Unless your friend asks you outright for your thoughts, keep your family’s history with this name to yourself.
For your friend and her husband, it brings joy and excitement, and learning of your experience with it can only make them anxious and stressed, which isn’t good for any parent-to-be.
What happened in your family isn’t guaranteed to happen in theirs. Maybe their baby will be a new spark of positivity around this name for you.
Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].
