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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Changing your surname

130 replies

slaner · 11/10/2012 22:32

I just wondered what everyone's thoughts are on changing your surname after you get married. I got married 2 years ago now but just can't come to terms with changing my name. This would be fine except we've got 2 children and they have my husbands surname so I feel a bit weird having a different name to the rest of my family. Also when I went on holiday, me and my daughter went up to passport control desk together and the man wanted to see my husband passport to prove we were parents, he said if I travelled with kids on my own I would need birth certificate to prove I'm the mum, is it just easier to change my name?!

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 11/10/2012 22:42

I've heard of that happening before on MN but not in RL. I've never travelled abroad with DCs and not DH and no plans to, however last year passport control did say something along the lines of "who are you going on holiday with?" to DS (8) and I wondered if that was his roundabout way of checking that I was his parent. I have never changed my name, the DCs have their father's surname, other than the occasional bit of confusion at school, and people mistakenly calling Mrs DHsurname from time to time it has never been a problem. I don't have any personal problem with having a different surname to the DCs. However I have no desire to change my name and never use the title Mrs.

Netguru · 11/10/2012 22:39

I've remarried and taken my new busband's name as I had changed to my exhusband's name and didn't want to stay with it. That means I have a different name from my children who are all from my first marriage.

Not an issue.

slaner · 11/10/2012 22:38

Yes I was surprised as well but I promise he did! I don't like the idea of being Mrs, just doesn't feel right to me, I'm quite happy with Ms but just don't know what to do about my surname, wondered what others do? :-)

OP posts:
PhyllisDoris · 11/10/2012 22:36

Much easier if you all have the same name. You won't be forever explaining that you're the Mum!
It's quite nice too to be Mrs xxx. Sounds more grown up!

sashh · 11/10/2012 22:36

They asked to see your husband's passport? Really? One of my friends has a son who has his father's name and they travel regularly but never with his father (split up when ds was 2).