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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Do i put the fathers name on my babys birth certificate?

133 replies

emmajayne89 · 13/04/2019 17:16

My partner and I split up towards the end of my first trimester after i discovered he had been having an inappropriate/flirtatious relationship with a female 'friend' of his and he had lied about it throughout our entire relationship. After coming to terms with this he agreed with therapy but he was continuuing to lie to me about things (silly things like his age and what hes doing- pathological lying), so i had to call an end to the relationship.

he wants to be involved in our babys life as much as he can be, so i've said he needs to demonstrate hes taking therapy seriously and hes improving and being truthful to himself and his family and friends and i will incorporate him into the babys life as well as trial coparenting.

The issue is whether i add him to the birth certificate or not. I know I wont restrict his time with our child unless i believe its well justified (and backed up by several impartial views before any changes are made). He is immature in a lot of ways and to an exaggerated level than is acceptable for his age and is currently being combatted in therapy.

What is the right thing to do? Add him because after all he is the father, or dont add him to protect myself from possible drama in the future? I had already advised him that if he can provide proof of payment for therapy then child support doesnt need to be considered unless he gets a promotion/able to afford both.

OP posts:
emmajayne89 · 14/04/2019 16:44

there are a lot of strong opinions on this. My ex has a big heart but he is unreliable and immature and also has some mental health issues that need to be addressed.

Him not being put on the birth certificate will not be used as a weapon against him at any point, it is simply because I am in a healthier and more able place in comparison to him. If later down the line he grows up a bit then adding him onto the certificate will be a discussion and a possibility. But in the mean time, quite simply put - my gut is saying no.

I am not going to be using any of this as a weapon against him, I am simply ensuring the protection of my child.

I've decided I will not be putting his name on the birth certificate due to the issues ive already stated and there are a lot of woman out who have never regretted this, only ones who've regretted adding them.

OP posts:
AbbieLexie · 14/04/2019 16:54

Flowers One of many things I've learned since being on MN is Do Not put his name on the BC. Totally agree with your comment its about protecting the child. Flowers

sue51 · 14/04/2019 17:19

Wise decision OP.

TeeJay1970 · 14/04/2019 17:27

Bertrand
You post at 11:16

Which means he has an automatic say in any decision you make about YOUR child.

Couldn't/Shouldn't that say HIS child?

PCohle · 14/04/2019 17:48

Best of luck OP.

Obviously I disagree with your choice but only you know all the circumstances and clearly you have your child's best interests at heart. Thanks

queenscot · 15/04/2019 00:23

Out of curiosity I very much doubt my son now almost 12 deadbeat father could get paternal rights now as he has been absent all of his life. Surely one would have to prove after 12 years of absence that they are interested and it's not just a silly whim? I get around £500 per month via attachment of earnings but not a phone call in 12 years. At the time I recieved solicitors letters demanding he to go in the birth certificate. I am so glad I never! I've got a feeling if they request paternal rights at a later date they must have to show the court a modicum of commitment to the child.

IfNotNowThenWhy · 15/04/2019 09:27

What PurpleCrowbar said. You CAN'T "put him on the birth certificate".
He can show up to registration and put himself on. If you object to that, then he can apply through the courts.
Ds father didn't show up to register him with me (unmarried) so he's not on there. He hasn't ever been arsed to change that, so it remains.
The bc DOES NOT say "father unknown"ConfusedGrinThis is not the 1950s ffs.
Ds knows who his dad is so it's not an issue for him.
I prefer that his dad has no PR (since I have been the resident parent) but would not contest it if he wanted for pay the 200 quid to change the bc. Which he never would!

Wise decision OP. These things can be altered, but for now follow your gut.

OrchidInTheSun · 16/04/2019 05:49

Yes good decision. And they don't write Unknown in the father box Bluntness, they leave it blank

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