How important to you is your name? did you want to revert to your former surname after a divorce? perhaps this was influenced by the surname of your kids.....When living together would you take the name of your partner? Gentlemen, would you take a partner's name if that's what she wanted?
Personally I kept my married name after my divorce, it was the same name as my kids but also I didn't like my former surname so there was some self-interest there!
Louise ;)
Fi at least they will have the choice as they become adults. Glad you are happy with your own name :)
Gamma you will have to be called Mr Minogue from now on ;)
Princess I never thought about the passport issue! I know several families where the child took their mother's surname after a separation although the father's surname is on their birth certificate. Another case of bureauracy not keeping up with the times.
Which reminds me, schools! Have any of you had that experience where although your child's surname is different to yours, the school still phones you and asks for Mrs X (your child's name)? Why in these days of technology, can't they just type in the child's name and immediately see what their carer is called?
Louise
Sounds like you have a happy little girl there, Princess :D
I must admit that I got so fed up with correcting school/dentist etc that I now answer to Mrs H, even though that's no longer my name.
Hi bkaur, yes I know sometimes there isn't a choice, you can be "expected" to take a spouse's name. You have CHOSEN what name to have now though, that must feel very empowering...and as you say, you are you and not someone else's appendage. Way to go!
Louise ;)
I'm on my third surname, so I get a bit confused sometimes! :lol:
Yes I am on my third too. One day I was at college and it said on the board there was a message for me and I went to the Porter's Lodge to collect it. I was asked what my name was. My mind went blank and then I said "erm..I think it's Louise something" :oops:
How interesting willowmay, thanks for that. I have a friend with the exact opposite situation, her first child has dad's surname and her second has her own, which sometimes is uncomfortable for the child who has the different names from the others.
In these days of changing family dynamics, I still think there is little sensitivity from institutions (especailly schools!) about the names issue.
Yes, not many blokes take their wife's name.
Louise :)
When my children have grown up, I will revert to my maiden name. I'm from Wales, so it's only been changed from one common Welsh surname to another, anyway! I did think about it, but I think it works better for the children me having the same surname.
I'm a Ms though. Definitely not a Mrs!!
I am reviving this thread as I have just found a very interesting website that answers a lot of queries about name-changes Go to http://www.ukdps.co.uk/WhatIsADeedPoll.html for more information
Best wishes to all
Louise ;)
Hi Karen
How old is your little lady?? I was never married so have always kept my name, but when I split up with my daughters father, she was at junior school and I decided to use my last name. It is a long surname as is my daughters first name, so it is funny, but i much prefer it now, especially when the school or doctors ring me they ask for me rather Mrs...him!
Its funny that in this day and age schools still presume that all parents have the same surname as their children!
Another thing you could do is become a Ms? I now prefer to use Ms, because although I am not married I am a grown woman with family! People have taken the mickey because apparently it means the lowest form of female title!
Good luck with your divorce, let us know when it comes through :)
Hi Karen
You will certainly have your hands full with your daughter at such a lively stage! I have a grand-daughter of a similar age :)
I think you can call yourself whatever you want. I remember titling myself Ms when I felt too old to be a Miss, my parents thought it was hilarious and wrote me letters with the MS in big red capitals on the envelope. NOT funny!
All the best with getting the paper work through
Louise :D
Hello Blusey
Glad you got your name back as that was what you wanted. Incidentally, yout son could change his name at any time with the permission of the other parent (if he has parental responsibility) Otherwise he has to wait till he is 16.
Take care
Louise :)
Hi Vonnie, I guess it is all down to personal taste. As I said above, you would need the consent of the children's father if he has parental responsibility, while they are under 16.
Take care
Louise :)
Hi :)
Having never been married I never got to change my surname, always wanted to though :D
I understand the bit about the kids names though. My little girl felt really left out that her surname was different to mine and her brothers, and she started to say her name as ours ( if you get my drift). It also made things alot easier for school and that as well, so changed her name on her school records and doctors as ours. When it came to applying for her passport, omg what a palava!!! I had to have her name changed by deed poll they said if I wanted her passport in my surname. Deed poll doesn't exist in Scotland I found it.... so I got to change her birth certificate.... As her dad doesn't have PR and doesn't want it. I was allowed to pay £39 to change it!
Bit off track of your subject sorry, but thought it might be useful info for some people in same situ.
Oh and I think my name would sound good as Mrs B and J Pitt :D
I can but dream ;)