Shockwaves As Dad Set To Tell Son His New Girlfriend's Child Might Be His

A dad facing the shocking dilemma of potentially being the father of a child with his son's girlfriend has caused a storm of debate on Reddit.

According to a post by the 45-year-old father (under the username recentlygaveaway) shared on Reddit, where it has received 10,000 upvotes and over 2,100 comments, his 28-year-old son has been dating the 35-year-old girlfriend for four months.

The user said: "There was no cheating involved whatsoever. I'd never do that to my own son." But he and his son's girlfriend dated two years ago and "it ended because I was going to be traveling out of work for months, we just lost contact," the user explained.

After hearing about his son's girlfriend having a one-and-half-year-old son, the user "connected the dots" and soon realized she was the woman he previously dated and that her son is "very likely" his child.

The father said: "You can't imagine how unbelievably awkward the first time meeting was...she was just as freaked out as I was.

"This can't be kept a secret though if this is my child I need to know. And as much as it pains me to put my son in this messed up position he needs to know too," the father said, noting he's planning to talk to his son about the situation.

"I don't expect him to react rationally. It's such a messed up curve ball to throw right at him but I hope eventually he is able to understand this happened before they got together and can process the news in a healthy manner," the father wrote in a later post.

Several users advised the user to take a paternity test before raising the issue with his son.

DeanSmartin said: "Maybe you should do a paternity test before spilling the beans? Sounds like your son's girlfriend has a 'type'," in a comment that got 1,400 upvotes.

MyRobinWasMauled stated: "I don't know why you'd blow up everyone's life over something that isn't 100 percent. Wait on it, get a paternity test, then work it out."

MituButChi agreed, noting: "I don't understand why the conversation has to be 'your girlfriend's son might be mine', explaining that if a paternity test shows the child his not his own, "then the conversation will at least be easier 'your girlfriend and I used to date.' I don't understand why he has to induce more anxiety in his son. The ambiguity may drive him crazy."

Many said it's important for the user's son to know about his past relations with the girlfriend, regardless of what a paternity test might show.

IWillGetTheShovel wrote: "He might still want to eventually tell his son he banged his girlfriend before they met," in a comment that got 503 upvotes, while Adventureloser said: "He needs to tell his son that they dated no matter what."

Careless_Forever_834 said: "The kid should know his father has had sexual relations with his girlfriend in the past. Kind of a deal breaker regardless of the child," in a comment that received 500 upvotes.

Weird_Stick_2962 wrote: "I see the logic here but you can't forget that she might not keep it secret. Then the son will be wondering why his father didn't tell him," in a comment that got 287 upvotes.

User ohsnapt wrote:" Uhhhh no! Take this whole thing to the grave," adding: "if he tells him, they break up, then what, is the father raising the kid and dating her instead? assuming hes the dad, or do they just banish her to single motherhood."

Upper_Associate2228 noted: "Maybe you get lucky and he surprises you. But with him being your son, my guess is you have a pretty good read on how he'll react.

The original poster replied: "He's usually very level headed but this is a huge surprise none of us were prepared for. I'd just understand if his initial reaction isn't exactly the most positive," in a comment that received 123 upvotes.

Newsweek has contacted the original poster (user recentlygaveaway) for comment.