Fretting about 'big' decisions in life.

barbiedoll

If OH wants kids, tell him that you would want your child to have parents who are married.

Quite often, marriage isn't a big thing until you are thinking about kids, then it can become much more important. Let's face it, marriage and weddings aren't really the stuff of a man's dreams, so men hardly ever seem to be that enthusiastic about it at the best of times. But when you have children, the commitment of marriage seems to make a lot more sense (not for everyone, I hasten to add!)

Looking at things from a more practical perspective, marriage means that your OH has more legal rights over your child(ren), even when it comes to registering their birth. (Traditionally seen as the dad's job, he cannot do it alone if you aren't married, you will have to go with him to get the baby's birth certificate.) There are implications over inheritance rights and despite the recent noises made by MP's who want to give "common-law" wives and husbands similar legal protection, so far, the children of married couples still have more legal protection than those of non-married parents. It can be surprisingly important to kids too, my son once told his dad that he was pleased that we are married, most of his friends parents aren't, apparently.

If all else fails, wait for a leap year and propose to him! :eek: