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Topic : 07/06 Baby Wars

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Created on : Thursday, April 13, 2006, 01:22:17 pm
Author : DrPhilBoard1
(Original Air Date: 04/21/06) Being a parent is hard enough, but what happens when Mom and Dad can't agree on how many kids to have, how to raise 'em and how to get ‘em to sleep?  Sometimes, it can lead to an all-out baby war! Matt's baby battle ended up in front of a judge and made headlines. He was ordered to pay child support for the baby he had with his ex-girlfriend, but he says he shouldn't have to cough up the money because she told him she wasn't able to get pregnant, and he told her he didn't want to be a father. He, his attorney, and the director of the National Center for Men discuss the lawsuit they filed, known as “Roe v. Wade for Men,” arguing that men should have a constitutional right to avoid fatherhood. Next, Dan says even though he and his wife, Lisa, already have four children, he wants just one more. Lisa has been pregnant on and off for 11 years and says she's closed for baby business. Will Dr. Phil help Dan see Lisa's point that four is enough? Then, a frustrated husband is camping out on the roof of his house and living in a tent. He refuses to go back to his bedroom until his wife moves their kids out of their bed and starts paying more attention to him. Can Dr. Phil get him to come down the ladder? Plus, a sleep expert has a simple method for getting your child to sleep through the night. See the plan in action! Share advice and talk about the show here.

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April 21, 2006, 8:52 am PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: pixiesmom2

I know plenty of women who use their children to bleed money out of the fathers.  These are the women who live in welfare housing, drive a nicer car than I do, wear far 'nicer' clothes on themselves than I do, etc.  These are also the same women I hear denying these paying fathers their court-ordered visitation with their children, having their children calling other men "Dad" when the biological dad is already in the picture, and on and on.  These "poor" women like to paint themselves as the victims and like to say how much they need the money.  Well, it's just that...money, money, money.  So for anyone to say that this man is just trying to protect his money, maybe they should take a good listen to the women around them!  Yes, men and women's roles in our society are different, but to suggest that this man is just trying to cheat his child out of money is silly.  How many mothers receiving child support use the money for the CHILD?  How many use it on electric bills, food bills, heating bills, college savings, etc?  And how many are spending that money of overpriced clothing, manicures, and eating out?  Neither sex is perfect.  There are dead beat dads AND dead beat moms.  We just turn our heads and pretend that it's only a man's fault. 

You are completely ignorant.. their might be some women out there like this, but i am completely offended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! all my daughters child support money goes to them! it pays the heating and clothes and diapers and daycare... i dont want his money for me its for our children 

and i for one  have tried many times to have their deadbeat dad in their lives. sent him pictures, called his family.. they seem to want nothing to do with me or their children/grandchildren...  

i am an excellent mother who is independent. i get some help from my family for things for me... and soon when i become a radiologist i will be able to pay for everything and their childsupport money can go to college or in thier bank account.. that money he pays is nothing, its not even the icing on the cake.. its like a letter... do you even know how expensive it is to raise a child.. how about twin girls when you are a single mother attending college full time.. i do everything for my children and there really are a lot of women like me out there... there are deadbeat moms but realize what you said is a select few and your really gonna set off a debate... you need to shut your mouth!!!!!!!!!! 

  

 
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April 21, 2006, 8:54 am PDT

I got something to say!

 I think it is a bunch of bull I mean if you don't want to be a father see if the girl will make a exception? I mean I have a two year old son who's father is not in the picture at all I told him that i want nothing to do with him or my son and if he leaves us alone i wont go for child support. i haven't heard from him in 2 years. I like it like this i prefer for him and his bad ways to be as far away from my son.
 
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embarrassed
April 21, 2006, 8:55 am PDT

It's on her head

I'm embarassed to admit that when I was younger, since I'd been having unprotected sex for several years and hadn't gotten pregnant, I believed that I might've been infertile,(I've been pregnant three times as of now), so a couple of times I did tell guys don't worry about it, I can't get pregnant. And I believe if I had gotten pregnant any of those times, it should've been my responsibility for saying such a rediculous thing about such an important issue. But that was very long ago and I can't even understand the person I used to by the way.  

  So, if this woman also truly believed she couldn't get pregnant, and he was ignorant enough to let her best guess be good enough,(or had a doctor misdiagnosed her infertile?), they should both be financially responsible for the wonderful new person who has joined us in the life, though through these unfortunate circumstances. To the new father:Drop the war with the Mom, you've been so blessed to have this special person, your own child, come in to your life. Be a Dad. It won't hurt as much as you think it will. 

 
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hopeful
April 21, 2006, 8:57 am PDT

Life is not fair

Didn't that young man's parents ever teach him that life is not fair. He has to deal in reality, and the reality is he is not woman and does not have the same choices or decisions to make regarding childbirth. He also does not have the same consequences. His body is not affected.  He does not suffer bodily changes and the pain. 

Is is fair? Fairness is not the point, that is a child's question. It is reality and that is what adults focus on.  

 
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frustrated
April 21, 2006, 8:57 am PDT

excuses

 I think this guy needs a wake up call. Dr.phil hit it on the head when he said that people have children every day after they have been told they couldn't have children. Matt is just making excuses for him self because he is not ready to grow up and be a responsible real man. He is the one who did not use a condom so obviously he wasn't to worry about being a father. He was thinking with the wrong part of his body but now he needs to grow up and take responsiblities for his actions. If he doesn't want to be a father to that beautiful baby girl he needs to sign over his rights and keep his pants on. He said that one day that the little girl will know that he wasn't ready to be a father.  That is totally wrong one day she will know he is an irresponsible little boy and that I am sure that her mommy will be able to find a MAN that will love her and her mommy and will be her daddy like Matt should be!
 
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April 21, 2006, 8:57 am PDT

Men have rights too

I appreciate the steps we've made in years past for women's rights.  I've also been saddened to see the popularity, among women, of an attitude that women are the only ones who have rights where pregnancy and choosing to have the baby or not are concerned.  

   

This is a difficult subject, and ultimately it is the woman who has to bear the child, but both parents have rights and I applaud the show for bringing up this difficult discussion.  Both partents have rights and responsibilities and it's time to hear what men have to say on this issue and for us all to seek solutions that take into account both parents and the child.    

 
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April 21, 2006, 8:58 am PDT

Men.......

if you don't want to parent then don't have sex or at least use protection. it doesn't have to be up to the woman to use protection. When myhubby and I first married, I told him I wanted a baby which of course we discussed these type of things so he already knew that before we made the committment for I would have never married him and had sex with him if he felt differently.Well after a short peiod of time of being married, I went off birth control and told hubby if he didn't want to be a fatehr at this point that it was HIS responsibility to use the protection becuase it was HIS issue not mine. Of course, I knew that he loved me and eventually wanted children so I was ok to do this because I knew he would be an awesome father and of course he is as we have two little girls that are quite the daddy girls................................These two people were not very wise to begon with, whether she lied or not, whatever the case, she had sex with some one who she KNEW did not want a baby and he used her for HIS benefit, for sexual gratifiacation. Both of them went into this, playing with fire knowing that the unexpected could happen, she should have walked away from him before agreeing to have sex and HE should have been the one to control himself and protecting HIMSELF from getting a girl pregnant, for HE is the one who didn't want to be a father therewfore it HE who should have been using the protection, and so what if she said she was on birth control and couldn't get pregnant, he still should have used the brain that the good Lord gave him and used a condom for reassurnace but better yet, he should have kept his pants on as well as she should have done the same..............I personally don't feel sorry for either one of them as they BOTH are guilty for bringing this precious child into the world and it is this little child who needs our compassion sor she came into this world innocent and now, she is the one who is going to reap fromt he self righteous attitudes of these parents.....With all this said, I personally would let the deadbeat go and NEVER let him around my child and Iw ould get it in writting with his signature that he has no desire to be a father to this child and I would have that documentation filed away and given to my child at the appropiate time so she has the truth, the real truth, that her so called daddy wanted the fun in the bedroom but wasn't responsible and man enough to do what is right, the first mistake, to have sex with out the love and passion (being married first), using no protection, and not being responsible for HIS choice. I wouldn't want this dude in my life,...................The mother is just as guilty as fara s I am concerned but she needs to let the bun go and out of her life and comcmetrate on this precious little girl, she deserves all the attention, this guy deserves nothing from her.
 
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April 21, 2006, 8:58 am PDT

Trust Factor or Horny

Quote From: tabisco

 I feel Matt has a right to fight this matter in court, by the sounds of it he was lied to by this girl, I think she trapped him.  Yes he could have used a condom, but he trusted her on her word.  He should not be punished because of her irresponsible behavior and lies.  Yes there is a child involved but if he is opposed to being in her life I think she would be better off if he wasn't.
 Question, if you are a man do you trust a woman just by looking at her that she's never had a sexually transmitted disease?  Do you not listen to the makers of birth control that IT'S NOT 100%?  Did you have sex ed in school and in todays society with men sleeping with men and then back again with a woman do you TRUST that she's not been infected and won't pass on Herpes to you because she didn't know that she was a carrier due to  the fact that she hasn't had an outbreak as of yet?  Men can always jump on the blame bandwagon which just goes to show you only think with that little pole between your legs because the logistic line in your brain has not been activated and used to the best of it's ability.
 
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upset
April 21, 2006, 8:59 am PDT

Don't want a child, then don't have unprotected sex!

My title says it all.  If you are not ready or do not want children, they you should either not have sex or you should use protection.  If you end up having a child then you need to step up and be a MAN and take responsibility and not blame the woman because you didn't have a choice.  You made the choice when you have unprotected sex.
 
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April 21, 2006, 8:59 am PDT

Logical? NOT

Quote From: aljjmema

I believe the best and easiest way to raise children to be happy, well-adjusted, and productive citizens is in a loving, committed two-parent home. 

  

If you get pregnant (or get someone pregnant) and the relationship is not going to continue, I believe there are several choices that are open for discussion:  abortion, adoption, raise the child together, or for one parent to take full responsibility while the other gives up custody. 

  

I believe it would be best for the child in this case if the courts decided to grant the "financial abortion" to this man.  He should lose all parental rights and the mother should raise the child as she wishes.  It would avoid many possible future issues that could arise if he continues to have rights because he is financially responsible for the child. 

  

The facts in this case (for better or worse) are:  There is a child.  Her mother wants to raise her.  Her father doesn't.  There is no simple answer.  I can see both sides.  What a horrible situation. 

  

Oh, for goodness sakes, just don't get pregnant in the first place. 

God decided to give this woman a beautiful child ...............she has been blessed.........Unfortunately he's too dense to see that......He could've prevented this from happeneing in the first place because there is always a risk ALWAYS but he wanted pleasure and still wants just the pleasure part of this situation and that's being a dead beat father...How can someone like you say just don't get pregnant in the first place when the child is already here........... I am disguted and appalled that someone can even say this and think they said something intelligent or even logical.    

   

 
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