Topic : 12/25 Parent Trap

Irregardless of biology or deception, you broke that little girl's heart.  You acted immaturely. 

I have a friend who had exactly the same situation, did the paternity test for his own knowledge and DID NOT TELL the child.  The child was then 13, and is now 16.  He is his father, he loves the child, and DNA does not change that bond.  He acted as an adult who is a caretaker of a child should act...it is not the child's fault and when adults act like adolescents and refuse responsibility, children get hurt.  He still does visitation, includes this child in family pictures and did not tell any other member of his family except for the child's mother and his current wife.  If only there were more "Grown Ups" like that in the world.

For PARENT TRAP:  Shame on the mother, but even more...SHAME ON the "FATHER".  Grow up!

I agree that Enrique should have gone about things dfferently. As far as the child is concerned, he is her father.  At the same time, he should not be held responsibe for child support unless he knew from the beginning the child was not his and chose to except her anyway.  We are dealng with  a similar problem.  My daughter met a person ( I can't call him a man because he doesn't know how to act like one) while pregnant with another man's chlld.  He knew all about it (even before we did!).  He was in the delivery room, picked out the name for the baby and said he wanted to be called "Daddy".  After a year or two, he(with his daddy by his side) asked my husband for her hand in marriage.  He was reminded then that she didn't  come alone.  That was OK.  After about 7 years, he finally agreed to a date and they got married.  Two and a half years latter, he announces ( after she catches him in an affair) that he has been miserable for the last 12 years.  Kicks her and her daughter out of the house, moves his new girlfriend in.  Over the past two years since this has started, he refuses to pay any support, has threatened to take custody of my granddaughter yet has rarely seen her.  He has asked my granddaughter not to call him at the house because the girlfriend might answer and she has told my granddaughter not to call him anymore on other occasions.  In my eyes, these are the men who should be held responsible for other mens children. They chose to in the beginning.  At this time my daughter just wants to get her divorce over with.  Unfotunately, her attorney has not done anything for her except take our money.  She can't even get him to return phone calls.  She has talked to others, but can't afford to start over.

     The woman lied to the husband and used the system to gain financial support for 13 years.  The mother  now wants the man to continue to pay for the child even though the mother has total control of the child and since he is not the biological father can deny him access to the child.  -- (The girl being over 13 often limits the amount of time parents spend as they become more independent anyway...) 

     The man that raised and supported this child for 13 years did not/does not intend for the child to suffer, but just as in the case of divorce, the child will suffer.  Forcing a man that is not the father to pay child support for a child that is not his rewards the actions of the mother.  Child support is paid to the mother, not the child.  A father has no way of insuring that the mother provides for the child with the money that he pays.

     Doesn't the natural father of the child have the right to know that he has a child?  Doesn't he have any obligation to support the child that he fathered?  Too often children are "used" to provide money to the custodial parent to improve their standard of living while the child received little for the amount of money paid...  and as noted by others, the concern here (as often is the case) is about money...  nothing else. 

This has to be one of the most selfish people that I have ever seen. Not one person has thought about this child!!!!! The "father" hasn't thought about her feeling, and the mother seems to only worry about how much money she will or will not get. I was raised by a single mother, and my father was a sorry excuse for a father. He hasn't ever paid child support, that I know of, and there was a lot of things that I missed out on in life because we didn't have the money. I know the importance of men paying their child support, but if he is not the father, then he should not be forced to pay for another man's child. If he wanted the relationship that a father should have and wanted to take care of her in every way then that says a lot about him. I personally do not think very much about any of the people on that stage, except Dr.Phil, and I feel so sorry for this girl because she has to feel so alone. I know I did. I do commend the man that would like to adopt her, and if that happened then, there would be no reason to fuss about child support. I really hope that they get help, and get the child in counseling. That what I think. Thanks for letting me sound off!!!!!

Your situation was not intentionally and you did not deceived him. He made his choice then changed his mind. Much different from the woman on the show. Good for you in bettering yourself.

It is my personal opinion that what needs to be done is that when a child is born, a DNA TEST needs to be done showing that the person is in deed the Father before his name can be placed on the Birth Certificate. This would save future drama to the child, and save Hundreds of Thousands of Tax Payer money for future DNA Testing, Court Issues, ect.