A man has been slammed for changing his adopted son's name after the birth of his biological son.
He explained how he and his wife adopted a Vietnamese child after struggling with fertility problems - and legally named their son August [Surname Removed]* as per their family tradition.
But after welcoming their "miracle baby" seven years later, they decided to revert his name back to Thien so their biological child could continue their family name.
Trying to justify his actions on Reddit, the dad-of-two said: "My name is August [Surname Removed] V. My name goes back five generations now and it was always my plan to make my son August [Surname Removed] VI.
"My wife and I were horrified to find out I was essentially firing blanks and was told I would essentially never be able to father kids - heartbreaking. We started the adoption process right away looking in mostly foreign countries so it would go faster and we were able to adopt a baby boy from Vietnam.
"His first name was Thien but my wife agreed to change his name to August [Surname Removed] VI.
"We also agreed we would let nature take its course because miracles can happen."
While their adopted son was legally named August [Surname Removed] VI, they referred to him as Thien on a day-to-day basis.
He was also known as Thien at school, church and in other social situations.
"Seven years later, a miracle did happen and my wife turned up unexpectedly pregnant," he added.
"We have a healthy, beautiful, amazing biological son who we love just as much as we love Thien.
"I decided with my wife's agreement that because we now have a bio son, it is better to give the firstborn bio son the family name.
"We have gone through the procedures to get Thien's name legally changed and our bio son has August [Surname Removed] VI on his birth certificate."
The dad claims Thien doesn't "understand or care" about his name change, saying he was more interested in playing with the judge's gavel than what was going on in the court room around him.
"We didn't even really tell anyone but we had to tell the school," he added. "Somehow word got out from a busy body at the school and made it back to Thien's soccer team.
"We're now essentially social pariahs and the subject of massive gossip - accusations of not loving Thien enough.
"We've heard it all through closed mouth hushed tones. It's gotten so bad we are considering moving Thien to a new team but his three best friends play on that team and he would be heartbroken."
Commenting on his admission, one user said: "If you have fertility problems go to a therapist before adoption. Kids aren't placeholders."
Another user added: "As the mother of adopted children I'm horrified at so many things about this man and his post.
"All children are gifts to us whether we give birth to them or are blessed to marry their parent or foster and/or adopt. They're not sofa pillows we change out for each season.
"I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this man's thinking. These two people shouldn't be allowed to have any children in my personal opinion."
A third user said: "You want to change your sons legal name, so his brother 'the true blood son' can take it instead?
"By even considering this, you make it very clear he never was a 'real' son to you, just the the adopted one! Because something better came along?"
*Surnames have been removed for privacy.
Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
