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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, 2:03 pm PDT

responsibility

When two people have the kind of sex that can result in conception, they are responsible for the result.  If one of them lies, just remember..."let the buyer beware"..  If one person absolutely does not want a child, then it's the responsibility of that person to protect against conception as best they can.  If that's still a gamble then they are still responsible.  I raised my two kids without any help whatsoever from either their father or the government ( I didn't have the bribe money. and at that time you needed it.  A good thing it's mostly changed now.) I can tell you it ain't easy. 

  

If you're driving down the road with as safe a vehicle as you can have and with quality driving instruction and experience behind you and as sober and awake as you can be, it's still a gamble because someone could still hit you and injure you or a tree could fall on you or rocks could slide down a hill or etc.  You can't say this injury is not mine, because you took that chance when you drove down that road. 

  

Don't even get me started on abortion.  In my opinion abortion is not a legal issue because if you make it illegal the alternative is unthinkable.  Education is the answer and responsibility.  Abortion and abandonment are not birth control folks! 

  

I do hypnotherapy and I can assure you that as least some people can recount their time in the womb from very early on.  They can even tell you the emotions and language of their parents.  I think people need to be educated and responsible.  I can't believe half the stuff I hear coming out of their mouths on the Dr.Phil show. 

  

  

  

  

 
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April 21, 2006, 2:03 pm PDT

Men become babies when babies are born

It's not an insult but just stating a fact. Men are used to getting loads of attention from their wives, and then when she needs a timeout from intimacy they really lose it a little bit.

First of all, having a baby is so tiring! And then there is the healing process, which can take about 6 weeks or so, longer in some women. Not only that but then you have the baby and hubby that are really physically demanding on your body - feedings, carrying, cuddling, and then the husband's wants. I remember that I didn't even want to THINK about sex or intimacy for about 6 months. Plus I was nursing so it really took about 2 years after my daughter was born before I was back to normal with wanting to be intimate with my husband. We had our moments naturally but it just wasn't the same for me for a couple years. Having a baby is just so physically, emotionally taxing. Lack of sleep, your hormones are readjusting, maybe you still have some weight on you, and the last thing you want is someone else grabbing at you! (haha)

I think the husband on the roof needs to show some senstivity because if he is up there not supporting her when she needs it, neglecting his husbandly and fatherly duties, that is only going to make her NOT want to be intimate even more. Ladies, isn't it correct that we are less physically drawn to men but rather drawn by their support and care for us? We desire them more when we see them helping us, loving on the kids, and other things that show they care. If my husband were to do that.... well, he'd be up on that roof for a long time.

Also I think that he's making it more of a battle where he wants to "win" rather than them come to an agreement. Someone has to lose in this with his tactics. Why can't he come down and talk about it like a mature couple? I think he went to far in his behavior. Any thoughts?
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:03 pm PDT

Be a Man and take RESPONSIBILITY!!

Quote From: rwoolfl

They both decided to have sex.  No matter what she said about her chances of getting pregnant, he should have been responsible enough to use a condom. Does he not understand how babies are conceived and nothing is 100% except for abstinence?  He says "he's not ready to be a father and she knew that,'" well he made the decision to have unprotected sex and he knew that nothing was a guarantee. Just because he has made a decision to not be a father to this beautiful baby girl, he must still provide support to the mother who DID take responsibility for her actions, when he did  not.  This guy just does not want to take responsibility and stand up and be a man and take care of his obligations.  It is absolutely ridiculous from him to say that men aren't given the same rights as women.  Thats BS!!
I totally agree with you. I couldn't beleive that he's trying to blame this all on her when he had a part in it. She certainly didn't get herself pregnant, and I'm sure she wasn't ready to be a mother then either. I think he's being childish. He needs to realize that he took a huge risk by not using protection, and now he needs to be a man and take responsibility! He needs to quit thinking about himself and start thinking about his baby. It's not fair that this lady is having to do take care of this baby all on her own, when they both decided to have unprotected sex.
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:03 pm PDT

Why do we young people try to pretend freedom means zero obligation to everyone but ourselves

Quote From: jtmommy

I get extremely upset with young adults these days who feel that marriage and babies are not responsibilities.  If Matt had no intentions of making a child then he sholdn't be having sex (at least not with a female partner).  He is just as responsible as she is, and he has a responsibility to the child.  Saying that  as a male he has no rights in the judicial system is crazy.  He wouldn't need the judicial system if he had taken full responsibility in the first place.  It's like hitting a ball toward a building and saying I had no intentions of of it going through the window, and then blaming the "system" for your lack of aim.  Grow up young man and quit whining about the outcome of your decisions! 

To treat reproduction like a warranty product from a company covered by the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU is something which is inherently wrong for both men and women.  To deny the procreative nature of sex and pretend it carries no intrinsic obligation is no different then denying the consensual nature of sex and endorsing the right to rape.  The father agrees that no protection is 100% so he shows comprehension that this was a possibility.  As human beings, we cannot choose this part of our biology.  Even if he got his wish, the playing field is never leveled.  He does not have to give birth, he does not have to deal with the emotional scar as a result of an abortion, and he does not have to separate via adoption after giving birth.   We damage and deny our dignity whether it is a woman destroying her pregnancy or this man refusing responsibility because he didn’t choose it.  LET’S GET REAL.  THE ONLY PERSON THAT DIDN’T CHOOSE ANYTHING HERE IS THE BABY.     

 
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April 21, 2006, 2:04 pm PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: jerryp

Lucky?  laughable..... the response is more than silly it is laughable.  why does the dollar make it right?  I will pray for you  and Matt.

You're right...you can't put a price tag on the time SHE will have to put in...24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 50 to 60 years...500$ a month for some irresponsible behaviour...I think he got off pretty lucky. 

 
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April 21, 2006, 2:04 pm PDT

BE A MAN!!

Maybe I'm frustrated because this show hit so close to home.  In April of 2005, I did something VERY out of character for myself.  I had unprotected sex with a guy I barely knew.  Im ashamed to say it, but it happened.  I took the morning after pill and found out a month later that it didnt work and I was 4 weeks pregnant.  The "father" ( I call him Sperm doner) wants nothing to do with his child because he doesn't want to be a father.  Well, that's fine, he doesn't have to be a father, but he is going to financially support the HUMAN BEING that he created when he carelessly had unprotected sex with me.  I didn't necessarily want to become a mother at this point in my life, but my actions did not support this.  I wasn't thinking and I am now taking care of a beautiful 3 month old baby girl because of my actions.  See, I can be WOMAN enough to admit that I made a mistake...but at the same time...I am TAKING CARE of what my "mistake" created...OUR daughter.  Yes, he wanted me to have an abortion, but you know...after seeing a HEART BEAT inside of my body...no way was that even an OPTION.  I guess a guy can't understand that because they have never and will never have a living being inside their body.  After all is said and done, I am grateful for my daughter.  I may be doing this alone and it may be hard, but it is all worth it.  If I could go back and change it, I would NOT.  Sperm doner is the one who is missing out.  One day it will hit him that he has a child out in the world who doesn't even know his name.  Luckily, I am a strong, dedicated mother and I will make sure she has the best life has to offer.  I wish he and other "sperm doners" would think about what's RIGHT INFRONT OF THEM.  Life!!  People struggle to have kids...some people have kids who are sick at birth.  "Sperm doners" should COUNT THEIR BLESSINGS that they created a healthy child.  A child's love, especially YOUR OWN CHILD'S LOVE, is the purest love you will ever experience.  I wish he and I (and other people in this position) would just OPEN THEIR EYES, QUIT FIGHTING, and look at the miracle before them. 
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:04 pm PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: nannna138

He had a choice......................to wear a condom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That was HIS responsibility......................................................................

It took two to tango and now look? A baby is added to the mix. Hmmm, last time I checked, thats what happens to two consenting adults...Yes, he consented to sex! He was not the only one under the impression she could not have children.  

Although there are people that behave in this manner and we do not have the other side to this story, I can only determine what I feel by what has been said. Quite frankly, any man that can indicate its not his child when literally he knows it is and have no want to be a good father simply because he didn't make the decision tells me he is on a power trip to have full control. Unfortunately, sex without a condom is not well thought out or in control.  

  

It was based on what she truly believed but who ever said a Doctor has never been wrong??? Unfortunately, the only one suffering will be this innocent child. 

 
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April 21, 2006, 2:04 pm PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: jettav

then don't have sex and take chances or go get an operation!
why put it soley on the guy? 
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:04 pm PDT

tray218069

i think matt is a boy and not a man if he can't help support his baby and get a life.
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:04 pm PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: hotpregger

 Dont get me wrong, I do believe if you play then you pay. BUT, women do not have to keep a child if they do not want to. They have adoption or abortion, so why cant men decide for themselves if they truly want to have a baby. He is not the only one in the wrong, therefore he should nt be punished. I feel if the woman knows that the man does not want a baby BEFORE they fool around, she shouldnt be able to force it upon him. Besides that how can the baby be happy if its parents arent? The children eventually grow up and they WILL relize that they were or are unwanted. It is in the best interest of the child for the parents not to be invloved if they do not want it. The child will suffer if the parents are forced to play a role. Now if the man decides later on that he made a mistake, I believe he should pay back child support from the time he walked out until the time that he decides to play a role.

finally a letter with thought not emotions.... 

well spoken....  

choose wisely who you lay down with. was a good motto for my mom  and its worked for me so far 

  

I have five children myself  my choice? YES! but thats the man not the sperm donor talking 

  

  

 
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