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Single moms are some of the most admired people in history. Names like Erin Brokovich and Coretta Scott King stir up visions of powerful, courageous single moms who did not let motherhood slow them down. Raising many super star athletes, scholars and even a President - Bill Clinton, these moms take mothering very seriously. Parenting is a tough job, and doing it alone can be exhausting, but just as rewarding. Single moms have more resources than ever and you should look into community support. Exposing your new baby to right kind of people and environment is up to to you and your baby will take on more of your traits than anyone else.

Acknowledgement of Paternity

Acknowledging paternity means establishing a legal father-child relationship, even though the father is not married to the child's mother. At the time of birth, hospitals may provide a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity Form for the mother and father to sign, which establishes legal paternity for the child. This document creates certain legal rights and responsibilities for parents and the child.

There are Several Reasons Why This is Important:

• (First and Foremost) Love: A child needs all the love and care both parents can give. Regardless of his Marital Status, a father can validate his commitment to his son or daughter on this very day.
• Health: Healthy mental, physical and emotional development may depend on medical and/or genetic information from both parents.
• Financial Security: Especially in this day and age, earnings from both Mother and Father can be critical to proper financial support of the child. This includes
• Social Security, health and life insurance, veteran's benefits and future inheritance.
• Identity: Knowing where we come from can help instill a sense of security in a child. Through legal paternity, children may have the opportunity to know their aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Establishing Paternity

Either the unmarried biological father or the child's mother may establish the father's legal relationship to his child by securing his name on the baby's birth certificate. At the hospital, mother and biological father are asked for information to complete the baby's birth certificate. A Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity Form is presented for the mother and the biological father to sign.

Immediately upon a child's birth, federal and state laws require the delivering-hospital to give unmarried parents the chance to voluntarily acknowledge paternity. Both in-writing and orally, the mother and father are given an explanation of their rights and responsibilities. An oral explanation of parents' rights and responsibilities can be obtained by calling the Parents' Rights and Responsibilities Toll Free Hotline, 1-888-855-2858 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)