Our names are an important part of our identity - so it's important other people get them right. A mum has been left feeling "uncomfortable" after her daughter's school teacher started shortening her surname for an easier life in the classroom.
Although her daughter doesn't mind having her name shortened, she is concerned about how her dad would feel about it if he were to find out what's been happening. Seeking support on Mumsnet, the woman wrote: "My daughter has a double-barrelled surname - it's hyphenated.
"She began in year 2 at school this year and then another child with the same first name joined the class, so her teacher began calling them Anna B and Anna M. My daughter being Anna M.
"Now, technically, my daughter is Anna M-S Should I say something or not? Anna M appears on lists, and charts and everything and my daughter does not seem to mind but I'm not sure how her dad would feel."
Worried about bringing it up with the school, the mum doesn't want to come across as "hysterical" over the situation as she understands the teacher is only doing it out of convenience.
"I don't feel quite comfortable with the teacher doing this. I guess it's to make things easier but it seems a bit rude to me," she added.
"Do you think it is worth mentioning or should I just indicate to her new teacher next year that we prefer her full surname used?
"I am bad at approaching things like this - I always come over as hysterical and anxious."
While some users understood the mum's point of view, others encouraged her to "let it go" because it's not worth picking a fight over.
One user said: "What a fuss! Seems quite inconsequential to me!"
Another user added: "The M is the starting letter of her surname even if it is hyphenated. I don't see why it matters in the slightest anyway."
A third user said: "Don't even mention it. You are making a fuss about nothing.
"Your daughter will still be Anna M when being referred to, whether she writes her whole name on her work or not.
"My daughter is one of four children in her class with the same name or derivatives of the name.
"In fact, she's the only one who uses the full name. In spite of this, she's always called by her first name and surname.
"I wouldn't dream of going in to see the teacher and ask her just to call my daughter by her first name."
Do you have a strange story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
