So...I'm thinking about a name change. 

I had chosen Nadhima because I had googled "words for 'happiness' in different languages," and Nadhima was the one on the list that I liked (particularly for a name). It's arabic. Happiness is how I feel any time I'm anywhere near a horse.

But Dounia had just informed me that Nadhima doesn't mean what I thought it did. She said it means more like regret (like a girl regrets something) ... ugh ... Why it came up when I searched for 'happiness' specifically, I don't know. But I don't really want to be associated with regret while playing a horse game.

Wondering what everyone else's thoughts were.

I had thought about some other name possibilities.

1. Dounia had told that happiness in arabic would be saeada or farha - and a girl's name that means happiness would be Farah

2. I thought about Niijii because it means "friend" in Ojibwe. I learned it from the movie Spirit Rider as a child. The boy names his horse this. I loved it from the first time I heard it! I even named my childhood pet rooster this. It would also work because horses are pretty much my only constant friendships (ever), even though I want to be friends with everyone. However, Niijii is male. So I might have to use Niijikwe since this is the female form of the same word.

3. I also thought about naming myself after my RL mare. Her APHA registered name is Skippa Sally. She's known as Moxie around the barn. So it would be Skippa Sally, Moxie, or Foxie Moxie. I get a kick out of branding my horses for Skippa Sally as SS. I don't know why. I'm just a sucker for rhymes alliteration lol

Home schooling has been fitting his needs. He's always done more for me than anyone else.

He was never in public school. We were in a private Christian school. If he went back to a school, it would be a private Christian school. End of story. Like I said, that's not up for debate. I only brought it up because I was explaining why keeping Nadhima as my name might still fit too because I currently do have some regrets around having to give up my horse.

I vote for Naima, though I will likely always just call you "Nad" :)

I like Naima, with the same as everyone else it's close to your current name 

"certain world views/perspectives that I do not want making impressions on him"? Like what, if I may ask?

Like I said, this forum was not made for open debates of how I choose to raise MY child. That's my business. None of y'all 's

Nad, nobody was trying to tell you how to rais your kid (whom I pity rn). You posted about how crappy your life is, berated the public school system (and by that insulted other players); people simply tried to give ideas as to what you could do to ensure you can keep your horse, and you got all defensive about it.

As for the things you want to protect him from, I know what three of those are: the existence of LGBTQ people, the fact there are more than two genders, and the fact there are more religions than christianity.

But, hey, you do you.

There's absolutely no reason to pity my kid! My kid is turning out AWESOME! He is happy as a clam (even without the school system). He's the sweetest, kindest, most generous kid I know. And loves doing school at home! (He tells me and others when we're out all the time.) I don't need suggestions to keep my horse that involves putting my kid into the public school system. So everyone can stop suggesting it, and just accept that that's my choice because I know what's best for my own family. Maybe public school works for others. Good for you. But it's not what's best for my family. 

**EDIT**

Unfortunately, I can't justify putting my horse before my child. The only way I could keep her is if I went back to work. But then I wouldn't have the time (or energy) to devote to giving my son what he needs. I also just love being a stay at home mom! But I'm not "leaving my horse." I'm trying to find a nice place, some place close by that will still let me see her. 

I couldn't afford tuition either. I worked at the same school and got a HUGE tuition discount. No need to "dog it in front of me" for not having a choice financially to keep my horse either. If you have money to pay for horses, then good for you. I'm not even paying for private school anymore; I'm home schooling now because school just wasn't working for my kid. He's not a "typical" learner.

Exactly my point, blitz! I was by no means looking for opinions on how I raise my kid. Just simply which name people thought fit my life better: Nadhima or Naima because I couldn't decide. But apparently, people took it as a license to basically tell me that I'm a horrible parent because of my beliefs and a worse horse owner. I in no way asked for any of this. I only asked for name advice. 

Sssssalty.

Aaand this is why we can't have nice things, people.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, however not all of them need to be stated on a forum thread about a name change. 

Name has been decided, so I'm closing this down.