To Hyphenate or Not

This is a really hot topic with a lot of single moms that I come across who are either marrying soon on desire to be married. I had a really good discussion with one of them who asked me why I chose to hyphenate my last name. She had traditional values and believed that every woman should drop their maiden name and take the name of their spouse. I respected her thoughts and shared my reasons – 1.) I had assets in my last name before my husband and I got married, 2.) My husband’s ex-wife still carried my husband’s last name, and 3.) My son carries my last name (I give more explanation in The Single Mother Diaries, Volume 1). No one should coerce you into choosing either way, especially if you are a single mom and your children carry your last name.