Single from the Start

My daughter was born two days early, on 23rd October 2008. In so many ways the last 7 months have flown by, but in so many other ways they feel like they've gone at snails pace! I'm lucky as she is a very content baby, the majority of the time. Still waiting for her teeth to come through though. I'm sure that's going to be tough!

Anyway, I just wanted to say, in regards to the birth certificate, I spoke with the social worker at Centrelink and as I don't know enough of the father's details, I filled in a stat dec stating this. I also had to sign a stat dec for Births, Deaths & Marriages & after jumping through some hoops finally received her birth certificate without her fathers details. I provided Centrelink with a copy and now receive PPS, which, without, we wouldn't survive!

..How is everyone else going now? Love to hear your stories...


Kate & Amelia (formerly Smudge) xx

Hi there. So nice to hear other women's stories that are a bit similar to mine. I have a lovely mellow 8 month old boy and his father lives in Europe. I have know the father for quite a few years. We met in Australia and after knowing him for a month we had a fling and I became a bit smitten and he invited me to visit him overseas and I went. Then we didnt' see each other for a couple of years until he was in the country two summers ago. I actually tried to avoid seeing him because i know he is a playboy but in the end I gave in when he asked if he could visit me in during his last five days in the country. I thought 'five days can't hurt' - well...I ended up pregnant and he has ceased contact with me after being rather angry about the whole thing.

I have also had terrible stress around the birth certificate. I live in Victoria and got legal advice from a family lawyer and she strongly advised not to put the father's name on their due to having to get permission etc when I want to leave the country on a holiday. I just can't bring myself to send it in saying that I don't know the father and I feel so sad that his certificate will have to have 'unknown' when referring to the father. I still feel so guilty that I took a crazy risk with a man who couldnt live further away but on the other hand I am so in love with my beautiful boy that I feel like it was meant to be this way.

I would love to meet other women who are going through a similar experience. It's hard for people to really understand what this is like. I'm working full time but it's a media business that I can do from home so I'm managing to do it with my son at home with me. Thank god he is a mellow bub and he sleeps well which has saved me. I couldn't do this work if he wasn't the way he is.

The hardest thing I am finding is that I feel like I am being judged by some people. I am in a very public job and it's hard having to keep holding my head up high and not allowing people to be negative to me with the situation I am in. And the other part is the stress and fear I have about how my son will cope in the future not having a father in the picture. Anyway I would love to be in contact with you all if you will have me :)