thread: Should the child know who the father is?

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    85

    Hiya,

    My son is almost three and goes to a regular daycare centre. He wants to know where his daddy is, everyone else at daycare has a daddy so it seems - where is mine? At this point in time I told him his father is in sydney. I have told him numerous other more eloquent but more difficult to understand answers but "my dad is in sydney" is something he can repeat to the other kids when they ask, or when he asks himself. I'd like to know what other mothers and co-parents from lesbian headed families have told their children at different stages of their lives. My son is the result of a one night hetro fling with an old friend who refuses any contact, different to most lesbian parents, but at the end of the day - having two mummies is different to the other kids

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    35

    Hey,

    I am no expert and certainly not on the subject of kids without a dad as a result of "a one night hetro fling" but for my son - i provided him with the information that he had a donor his name and that he lives in sydney. I then let him come up with his own theory on what that mean't. He has since decided that he is going to call him dad, and his dad x lives in sydney. He has informed all the daycare kids that have asked or quizzed him and i have helped him out when he asks questions. I try not to make a big deal of it or give him too much information to complicate things.

    of course things for you are different as your little guy is by your time chart a little younger than mine was - he was about 3 yrs and 3 months when he started to ask specific questions, before then he knew of this infamous donor but hadn't asked for any clarrification. also i have a known donor who is happy for contact when my little guy or i would like it - so that is different to your situation. Perhaps you could tell him that some people have a mum and a dad, some have just a mum or a dad, some have 2 mums, or 2 dads, and that there are lots of different mums and dads. Perhaps you could say that "your dad live in sydney and you may get to meet him one day". I don't know perhaps that isn't posible but it at least may comfort him until his level of understanding is a little more advanced - i.e older.

    It is difficult and as i said im only suggesting - but perhaps a child age appropriate book may help on mums and dads that don't live together?? You may not want to sugar coat the situation but i guess you can only say so much. Im guessing that one day you may have to explain the situation in real terms.

    From what ive found with my little guy he is happy if i provide some anwsers and can satisfy his questions.

    hope this helps,

    cheers
    Levi